Laptop how to install ssd reddit manual#

Your motherboard manual will tell you which SATA ports are switched off in this scenario, so just switch to a different port if an M.2 is blocking your SATA drive.

ItвЂ™s worth remembering that on many motherboards, installing an SSD in an M.2 slot can disable individual SATA ports, as there wonвЂ™t be enough bandwidth to support both sets of ports being fully filled. Plug the other end of the SATA cable into a spare SATA port on your motherboard, which are normally found near the bottom-right corner. Plug this into the SSD, and do the same with the SATA cable, which connects right next to it. They also both use distinctive L-shaped connectors, with the power cable being the wider of the two. With the SSD in position, you can now attach the power and data cables these come included with your PSU and motherboard respectively. Some mounting brackets secure the SSD from the underside, others from the edges. Replace the mount, if itвЂ™s a removable one. Place the drive in the mount with the holes aligned, then securely fasten the screws. If youвЂ™ve misplaced yours, itвЂ™s easy enough to buy replacement screws online, as all SSDs have the same size holes. ThatвЂ™s right, youвЂ™ll need a crosshead screwdriver to both remove the mount and affix it to the SSD, before re-installing both to the case.ДЇirst, locate the screws вЂ“ these are very small, and will have come with the case. ItвЂ™s a little easier, however, if you have removeable mounts available, as these will let you do the fiddly screwdriver work mostly outside of the case. Some cheaper cases also have mounting holes drilled directly into the chassis.ДЄ removable mounting bracket like this one makes installation easier.

Large 3.5in drive bays usually have mounting holes for fitting a 2.5in drive as well, or there might be dedicated 2.5in mounts attached to the caseвЂ™s interior chassis. Cable management will be easier if the drive is already in place, so start by locating one of your PCвЂ™s 2.5in mounts. The bigger but generally more affordable breed of SSD needs three things: a power cable, a SATA cable, and somewhere to sit inside your PC. The SATA power cable (left) and data cable (right) connect at the edge of your 2.5in drive. This guide will show you how to set up both kinds of SSD, as well as the software-side setup youвЂ™ll need to perform if youвЂ™re adding a new SSD as your secondary or tertiary drive.

Laptop how to install ssd reddit