How to install extra SSD?

Woodzo · Tuesday at 22:21

I’ve just bought a new PC and would like to add another M2 SSD drive. However, looking inside the case, it appears that I may have to remove the graphics card to get to the PCI-E slots. Am I right? Is it hard to remove a graphics card?

The motherboard is a Gigabyte Z890 Eagle.

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Tetras · Tuesday at 22:31

Woodzo said:
Am I right?

I'm afraid so.

Woodzo said:
Is it hard to remove a graphics card?

When you know what you're doing, no. When you don't? It can be. The most complicated part is understanding how the retaining clip/latch works (on the PCI-E slot) and getting access to it, since every board is different.

freddie64 · Tuesday at 23:18

Looks like you have a Gigabyte Z890 Eagle motherboard.

If so, first unplug the PC from the mains and then unplug the GPU power cables and then unscrew the screws holding the GPU to the back panel. After that there is a quick release button near the bottom of the fourth RAM slot, pressing this should release the GPU from the slot.

M.2 install process at 3.30 in the video, if you need it.

Woodzo · Wednesday at 07:31

Thank you both for your help. Freddie, that video has given me the confidence to do it!

freddie64 · Wednesday at 07:50

Just take your time, you don't have to rush it.

Got to say though, the quick release for the GPU and M.2 sure do make it easy compared to mine.

Woodzo · 2025-08-28T19:18:32+0100

Installed it tonight, very impressed by the motherboard design - it took less than five minutes!

Thank you for your help!

JollyJamma · 2025-08-29T08:13:35+0100

Woodzo said:
Installed it tonight, very impressed by the motherboard design - it took less than five minutes!

Thank you for your help!

NVME SSDs are just so much easier to use than so many other drive interfaces.

The only issue that often crops up is the lack of PCI-E lanes with consumer hardware - you may find that installing the second SSD changes your GPU interface to PCI-E 8X instead of 16X but that won't be an issue for 99% of people.