Question Upgrading main SSD?

[BillWiTheScienceFi]

This is my current build i made years ago, https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GqLHx6

I want to add more memory but don't have room for another m.2 ssd, is there anyway to swap my current Western Digital Blue 500 GB M.2-2280 SATA SSD (M.2 (B+M)) for a larger GB one? I installed Windows onto this ssd (as well as personal files/pics etc) so not sure if i could or not.

If its too complicated suppose ill just grab a ssd that plugs into sata..

 

[hotaru.hino]

I'd say it'd be easier to get a SATA SSD.

However, if you do want an NVMe SSD, you could get a SATA M.2 to normal SATA adapter for your current drive, such as https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-M-2-2-5in-SATA-Adapter/dp/B00ITJ7U20

 

[Gam3r01]

Back up all your personal data to a different drive (internal or external), then remove said drives.
Install new drive in its place, install windows, power back down and reconnect any other drives you may have.
You can either toss the old drive, or use it with an adapter/adapter card/external enclosure if youd like.

 

[geofelt]

You will not notice any difference in performance between m.2 pcie and 2.5" sata ssd devices.
These guys could not tell:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DKLA7w9eeA


I Would buy a 1tb(or larger) Samsung 870 EVO for $90 or so.
Run the samsung ssd migration app to move your C drive to the samsung,
remove the m.2 and boot to the 870.

You can find the app and instructions here:

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

semiconductor.samsung.com

 

[Pextaxmx]

If you live near a MicroCenter, they are selling Inland Professional SATA 512Gb for 19.99 right now. I would just add that to SATA and enjoy the life

 

[USAFRet]

If your current SSD is 500/512GB, I'd leave it as is.
Add another SATA III SSD to handle the overflow.

But, if you really want to change, we can go into that process as well.
All you need is some other device with enough empty space to hold the contents of your current drive.

 

[USAFRet]

I Would buy a 1tb(or larger) Samsung 870 EVO for $90 or so.
Run the samsung ssd migration app to move your C drive to the samsung,
remove the m.2 and boot to the 870.

Here, I wouldn't go slightly back in performance, just for the extra space.

Just add a SATA III drive, and move on.

 

[Bob.B]

This is my current build i made years ago, https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GqLHx6

I want to add more memory but don't have room for another m.2 ssd, is there anyway to swap my current Western Digital Blue 500 GB M.2-2280 SATA SSD (M.2 (B+M)) for a larger GB one? I installed Windows onto this ssd (as well as personal files/pics etc) so not sure if i could or not.

If its too complicated suppose ill just grab a ssd that plugs into sata..

Get a usb to m.2 adapter.

Fit the new m.2 in the adapter.

Connect to usb and clone old m.2 to new m.2.

Remove old m.2 and install new m.2.

Boot the pc.

 

[USAFRet]

Get a usb to m.2 adapter.

Given any other storage device of sufficient size, no adapter purchase needed.

 

[BillWiTheScienceFi]

You will not notice any difference in performance between m.2 pcie and 2.5" sata ssd devices.
These guys could not tell:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DKLA7w9eeA


I Would buy a 1tb(or larger) Samsung 870 EVO for $90 or so.
Run the samsung ssd migration app to move your C drive to the samsung,
remove the m.2 and boot to the 870.

You can find the app and instructions here:

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

semiconductor.samsung.com

I'm not looking for performance i just need more storage my main drive only has 86gb left on it and i barely have stuff on it (its a 500gb ), ive got an hdd also that i put most of my games on

 

[USAFRet]

I'm not looking for performance i just need more storage my main drive only has 86gb left on it and i barely have stuff on it (its a 500gb ), ive got an hdd also that i put most of my games on

As mentioned above, just get a SATA III SSD of whatever size meets your needs and budget.

No need to swap the OS off the current 500GB drive.

 

[Bob.B]

Given any other storage device of sufficient size, no adapter purchase needed.

True but.

The op wants to replace a small m.2 with a larger m.2.

 

[USAFRet]

True but.

The op wants to replace a small m.2 with a larger m.2.

1. 500GB is not really "small"
2. This swap could still be done without buying an M.2 USB adapter. (if he has any other drive with applicable free space. ANY storage device)

 

[USAFRet]

Changing with only one M.2 port:

Assuming you have another drive (any type of drive) with sufficient free space to hold the entirety of your current m.2 drive:

1. Download and install Macrium Reflect
2. Run that, and create a Rescue CD or USB (you'll use this later). "Other Tasks". Create this on a small USB flash drive or DVD.
3. In the Macrium client, create an Image to some other drive. External USB HDD, maybe. Select all partitions. This results in a file of xxxx.mrimage
4. When done, power OFF.
5. Swap the 2 drives
6. Boot up from the Rescue USB you created earlier.
7. Restore (on the toolbar), and tell it where the Image is that you created in step 3, and which drive to apply it to...the new m.2
8. Go, and wait until it finishes.
9. That's all...this should work.

 

[Bob.B]

1. 500GB is not really "small"
2. This swap could still be done without buying an M.2 USB adapter. (if he has any other drive with applicable free space. ANY storage device)

An image is an option.

The op can make their own call.

 

[USAFRet]

An image is an option.

The op can make their own call.

And he's been given multiple options.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Don’t bother with the image. Buy this. Install your games there and be happy. I’ve got one in my personal pc that I bought from this seller. In my system my boot drive is a 240gb Samsung 960 evo nvme, a 1tb pny sata ssd, 1tb team group sata ssd, then the drive below. Long as you don’t overfill them they are good. But 2tb for about 100 bucks is a great deal imo.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1447143552...1QoO_yZSxW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

As far as use, about the only time I can tell a difference is copying a very large batch of data but even then it’s plenty fast and day to day use whether as a boot drive or gaming you will be hard pressed to see a difference imo.

 

[BillWiTheScienceFi]

Thanks guys