Question Worried about NVMe damage - How resilient are the connectors?

[ShangWang]

I got a new NVMe and when installing it initially had trouble pushing it in. I made sure my laptop had the correct PCIe.

In the end it worked out, but I was trying to push it in while it was flat, whereas I believe you had to insert it at a 30 degree angle to fit in.

I initially used my thumb to push it in flat with slight force and am worried that I may have possibly "worn" the connector a bit when doing that.

Are NVMe designed to take pressure like this on the connectors when inserted flat by accident?

 

[Ralston18]

My thought is that that may be difficult to know. Details matter.

Make and model NVMe?

Depending on how "well" the NVMe is constructed, the NVMe may or may not be able to tolerant the applied force.

If all is working then it may be okay.

Or if partially damaged in some manner, a future removal and reinsertion could then cause a physical break and subsequent failure.

Or some heat related expansion/contraction.....

Backups are always a must requirement.

All the more so if there is any concern at all about any sort of storage device.

 

[ShangWang]

My thought is that that may be difficult to know. Details matter.

Make and model NVMe?

Depending on how "well" the NVMe is constructed, the NVMe may or may not be able to tolerant the applied force.

If all is working then it may be okay.

Or if partially damaged in some manner, a future removal and reinsertion could then cause a physical break and subsequent failure.

Or some heat related expansion/contraction.....

Backups are always a must requirement.

All the more so if there is any concern at all about any sort of storage device.

I got it from here completely new:
WD_Black SN750 500GB NVMe Internal Gaming SSD - Gen3 PCIe, M.2 2280, 3D NAND - WDS500G3X0C : Amazon.ca: Electronics

I failed to put it all the way in when it was flat but used a bit of force during that time. The 2nd attempt worked when I took it out and re-inserted it slightly at an angle.

I don't think removing it would cause a physical break now but I'm worried if maybe it "wore" it out a bit the first time I tried inserting it.

In general do you think WD BLACK SSDs are pretty resilient?

 

[Ralston18]

Not a matter of wearing out.

The issue is if something may have cracked or partially broken during the original installation attempt.

No direct knowledge of resilience with respect to any given SSD.

Overall, many, many products are becoming less resilient as manufacturers thin things down or otherwise make changes to cut costs.

Not uncommon to find that something (any product) built a year ago is much stronger, durable, etc. than the same make/model, etc. that is now being sold. Sometimes for a higher price.....

Will need to defer to those who have handled or installed multiple SSDs of whatever makes and models.

 

[ShangWang]

Not a matter of wearing out.

The issue is if something may have cracked or partially broken during the original installation attempt.

No direct knowledge of resilience with respect to any given SSD.

Overall, many, many products are becoming less resilient as manufacturers thin things down or otherwise make changes to cut costs.

Not uncommon to find that something (any product) built a year ago is much stronger, durable, etc. than the same make/model, etc. that is now being sold. Sometimes for a higher price.....

Will need to defer to those who have handled or installed multiple SSDs of whatever makes and models.

I didn't hear any cracking or saw any physical defects after the first attempt, so can I assume that no real damage was done if it works fine and I shouldn't worry about it?

 

[Ralston18]

Not a bet that I would make.

You do not need to hear any cracking noises or see some physical damage/defect. It might take any number of expansion/contraction cycles to start manifesting some issues. E.g., interment failures of any sort: booting, failed connections, saves.

If working, you can somewhat put worry aside but only if you are constantly backing up the drive and verifying that the backups are recoverable and readable.

Which should be done anyway.

 

[ShangWang]

Not a bet that I would make.

You do not need to hear any cracking noises or see some physical damage/defect. It might take any number of expansion/contraction cycles to start manifesting some issues. E.g., interment failures of any sort: booting, failed connections, saves.

If working, you can somewhat put worry aside but only if you are constantly backing up the drive and verifying that the backups are recoverable and readable.

Which should be done anyway.

Well that sucks the worst thing that can happen for me is the SSD comes with some issues years early on. I already have everything backed up online, I barely have any important documents to keep.

 

[ShangWang]

Not a bet that I would make.

You do not need to hear any cracking noises or see some physical damage/defect. It might take any number of expansion/contraction cycles to start manifesting some issues. E.g., interment failures of any sort: booting, failed connections, saves.

If working, you can somewhat put worry aside but only if you are constantly backing up the drive and verifying that the backups are recoverable and readable.

Which should be done anyway.

Do you think a slightly damaged connector has anything to do with slight stuttering in game? I was always on an HDD and had stuttering on games but I think the SSD might have/was supposed to fix that.

 

[USAFRet]

Well that sucks the worst thing that can happen for me is the SSD comes with some issues years early on. I already have everything backed up online, I barely have any important documents to keep.

Or, it could fail tomorrow.

I would take it out and install it properly.

 

[ShangWang]

Or, it could fail tomorrow.

I would take it out and install it properly.

It is installed properly for sure.