Need advice on how many SSd's i can install

Maloy · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:03

PSU - EVGA 650w

CPU: Intel Core i7-7820x

Motherboard
MSI Pro Series X299 Raider

Currently connected is:
4x 8gb DDR4 RAM
Samsung NVMe SSD 960 Evo M.2 250GB
1tb HDD
1080 TI Graphics card

Hi, I really need some help I hardly know anything about pcs. Recently my SSD keeps getting full so ive brought a 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 . I was wondering can I connect this on my motherboard too? So have 2 ssds and the HDD.

(I know my board has 2 slots, one is hard to get too because the graphics card covers this , but i think i am right in saying i can unplug the graphics card install the ssd and it will be fine ?.)

Thank you

mickyflinn · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:11

Hi

Yes just just unplug your graphics card and install the m2 and reinstall the card..

iamtheoneneo · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:14

Your board has two M2 slots so you can install your new drive.
You have a total of 6 SATA ports and 2 M2 slots. Just take your GPU out (using the small latch to release it)

Maloy · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:23

so i can have 2ssds and a hdd no problem ? its just a case of slotting it in ? thank you both for you replies

Angelwolf · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:26

Maloy said:
so i can have 2ssds and a hdd no problem ? its just a case of slotting it in ? thank you both for you replies

For installation, you typically just slot the drive into the M2 port and then at the opposing end, secure with a screw (they come with your motherboard).
Make sure to check your motherboard manual. On some boards, installing devices into M2 disable certain sata ports, so just check

mickyflinn · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:26

Maloy said:
so i can have 2ssds and a hdd no problem ? its just a case of slotting it in ? thank you both for you replies

There is no problem having 2 m2 drives but sometimes it will disable one of the sata ports on the motherboard. If this happens just move the sata hard drive to another sata port.

Maloy · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:32

Thank you both for you reply s , i'm a noob tbh so sorry for this next question but is that the cables into the PSU?

mickyflinn · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:40

Maloy said:
Thank you both for you reply s , i'm a noob tbh so sorry for this next question but is that the cables into the PSU?

No it will be the sata cable from the hard drive to the motherboard. It will already be connected to motherboard so just move that to another port.

This is a sata cable.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cablemod-modmesh-sata-3-cable-60cm-black-cm-15n-cm.html

Angelwolf · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:42

Maloy said:
Thank you both for you reply s , i'm a noob tbh so sorry for this next question but is that the cables into the PSU?

Your HDD will have two ports on it, a power port and a data connection port.
PSU goes to power port
Data connection port goes to motherboard.

Code:

# # # # # #
#         # [Power port] ================== PSU Power (eg Molex)
#  H D D  #
#         # [Data port] =================== Motherboard (eg Sata)
# # # # # #

Your M2 drives won't need cables, they just attached directly onto the motherboard.

You might find that after connecting the new M2 drives that the HDD stops working. If this happens, just change where it is plugged into the motherboard - there should be other sata ports near to where it is already plugged in

Maloy · 25 Nov 2020 at 17:44

ohhhh okay so i just need to check which SATA Port works to run all three. Thank you guys

Maloy · 25 Nov 2020 at 19:57

plugged it in , but I dont think the system has registered it
Do i need to go into the bios?

iamtheoneneo · 25 Nov 2020 at 20:13

Any new drive in Windows needs to be initialized.
In Windows Search > type Disk Management > Your drive will show there as unallocated > right click > new simple volume > press next until you cant press next anymore> click finish > wait a few minutes.