Question which M.2 should i get for my old system?

[tomer fishbein]

Hi everyone,
I have the Gigabyte Z270 gaming K3 motherboard and want to install a second NVMe SSD (the 2T Samsung 980 or the pro version).
My PC components:
I5 7600k
rx 5700xt
32 Gb of DDR4 3200Mhz
256 Gb of M.2
1T HDD

The reason I want to add storage is that my old HDD is making weird loud noises when booting up and Windows even gave me a blue screen once and in the notes it stated the reason was loose cables on the HDD or a faulty HDD.
My main use of the PC is gaming and relatively light video editing.
I know my system can't fully utilize the speed of the 980, yet I'm planning on buying a second-hand PC in about a year or so and thought I would just transfer the 980 to the newer one.
The question is should I get the 980/pro or should I get another M2? I've heard these Samsung M2s might have some issues...
Another thing is I'm not sure where or how can I install another M2 since my MB only has 1 NVME slot?
And if you have any other guidelines or can point out things that I'm missing I'll be glad,
thanks a lot!

 

[QyInvoLing]

Do your mb provides another PCIe slot? Maybe spend a small bit money to buy an PCIe to m2 adaptor is fine.

 

[SkyNetRising]

The question is should I get the 980/pro or should I get another M2? I've heard these Samsung M2s might have some issues...

Get 970 Evo instead.

Another thing is I'm not sure where or how can I install another M2 since my MB only has 1 NVME slot?

By using M.2 PCIE adapter.

 

[tomer fishbein]

Get 970 Evo instead.

Why should I get the 970 evo instead of the 980/pro?
Also, when using a PCIe adapter, do I also need a cooler?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Why should I get the 970 evo instead of the 980/pro?

Costs less.
Heats up less.
More appropriate for your PCIE 3.0 capable system.

Also, when using a PCIe adapter, do I also need a cooler?

If you're using PCIE 4.0 or PCIE 5.0 drive, then yes. Those run hot and require a heatsink.
PCIE 3.0 drives are generally fine without it.

 

[geofelt]

Your motherboard supports pcie 3.0 m.2 devices.
The advantage of 4.0 is better sequential speeds, but most work is random any you would not notice any real difference.

If you have the budget, buy a 2.5" samsung ssd replacement for your hard drive.
1 or 2tb, whatever you think you will need for capacity to hold what is now on the hdd.
Step1:
Run samsung magician ssd migration app to move your current 256gb C drive to the sata device.
Remove the m.2 and boot to the new C drive to verify success.
step 2.
Install a samsung m.2 ssd in the m.2 slot. It matters little if it is 970,980, 990.

This will become your new C drive, so size it appropriately.
Again, run the ssd migration aid to move your C drive to the m.2 ssd.
When done, remove the sata c drive to verify success.

step 3.
Format the sata ssd drive and move your hdd files to the sata ssd.

When done, dump the hdd.

 

[Bob.B]

Hi everyone,
I have the Gigabyte Z270 gaming K3 motherboard and want to install a second NVMe SSD (the 2T Samsung 980 or the pro version).
My PC components:
I5 7600k
rx 5700xt
32 Gb of DDR4 3200Mhz
256 Gb of M.2
1T HDD

The reason I want to add storage is that my old HDD is making weird loud noises when booting up and Windows even gave me a blue screen once and in the notes it stated the reason was loose cables on the HDD or a faulty HDD.
My main use of the PC is gaming and relatively light video editing.
I know my system can't fully utilize the speed of the 980, yet I'm planning on buying a second-hand PC in about a year or so and thought I would just transfer the 980 to the newer one.
The question is should I get the 980/pro or should I get another M2? I've heard these Samsung M2s might have some issues...
Another thing is I'm not sure where or how can I install another M2 since my MB only has 1 NVME slot?
And if you have any other guidelines or can point out things that I'm missing I'll be glad,
thanks a lot!

Consider a 2TB 2.5 ssd.
Clone hdd to ssd and remove hdd.

Keep it simple.

 

[tomer fishbein]

Get 970 Evo instead.

By using M.2 PCIE adapter.

thank you all for your information!
Just 1 more question, to which PCIe slot do I plug this adapter to?

 

[SkyNetRising]

to which PCIe slot do I plug this adapter to?

Any PCIE x16 slot, you have access to (is not obstructed by graphics card).

 

[logainofhades]

Agree on the 2.5 SSD. If you still want to go the NVME route, to put in a new system later, I would choose this one. It is a top tier drive, and the price right now is great.

PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: SK Hynix Platinum P41 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $134.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-17 12:11 EST-0500