SSD; Which do I have, which do I need?

NooBish AbbZ · 10 Apr 2025 at 08:06

Hi OC,

I've had my PC for around 3/4 years now(bought it from a friend at a great price) and my C: Drive (512Gb SSD) is now full so it's kicking up lots of errors (Java Script, but I think it's related to no memory as that's when they've started) but I'm not exactly sure what type of SSD I have.

On the motherboard I can clearly see my D: Drive (a TB NvME Sabrent 1Tb) but I cannot see the C Drive to work out what it is. Within System Info I can see the model name is "WDC WDS500G2B0C-00PXH0) Fixed Hard Disk, which doesn't help me

My Motherboard is a Asustek ROG Maximus Hero XI, running Windows 11 with a Intel i9 9900k

My plan is to back stuff I need up, buy a USB stick (to use as a bootable drive for a fresh install on Win11 on a new 1Tb (2Tb?) SSD to replace the 512Gb SSD with, but as I say, I'm not sure what type I need. Also, suggestions on what to then use the 512Gb SSD for? All I basically do is play iRacing, so I could maybe put the whole program on there, complete with cars, tracks etc.

I've also never done my own fresh install of windows, so, what could go wrong?!

Thank you!

Bluecube · 10 Apr 2025 at 08:13

Did you search for the SSD’s model number? That will give you a better idea of what SSD type it is and you can take it from there.

What’s the USB stick for? Backup?

NooBish AbbZ · 10 Apr 2025 at 08:19

Bluecube said:
Did you search for the SSD’s model number? That will give you a better idea of what SSD type it is and you can take it from there.

What’s the USB stick for? Backup?

I did a few Days ago and about all I get was (probably)Western Digital.

My bad, USB stick would be to use as a Fresh installation of Win 11 on the new SSD

mickyflinn · 10 Apr 2025 at 08:42

NooBish AbbZ said:
I did a few fays ago and about all I get was (probanly0 Western Digital.

My bad, USB stick would be to use as a Fresh installation of Win 11 on the new SSD

It's a WD_BLUE SN550

NooBish AbbZ · 10 Apr 2025 at 09:18

mickyflinn said:
It's a WD_BLUE SN550

Looking at the Motherboard specs, it has 2x M.2 Slots. I guess this is what the WD Blue is using. Therefore, could you suggest what type of SSD I should get to add to the system (rather than replace the SN550)

mickyflinn · 10 Apr 2025 at 09:24

NooBish AbbZ said:
Looking at the Motherboard specs, it has 2x M.2 Slots. I guess this is what the WD Blue is using. Therefore, could you suggest what type of SSD I should get to add to the system (rather than replace the SN550)

Any pcie3 or pcie4 m2 nvme .

Your motherboard is limited to pcie3 but you can get a pcie4 m2 but you will to pcie3 speed.

What size/capacity do you want ?

NooBish AbbZ · 10 Apr 2025 at 09:35

mickyflinn said:
Any pcie3 or pcie4 m2 nvme .

Your motherboard is limited to pcie3 but you can get a pcie4 m2 but you will to pcie3 speed.

What size/capacity do you want ?

But if I were to use any pcie 3 or 4, I'd still be limited to those two slots, yes? If so, I feel like 1Tb would be plenty

Or maybe this Corsair 2Tb at £105? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...0-m.2-solid-state-drive-cssd-f-hd-06v-cs.html

mickyflinn · 10 Apr 2025 at 09:36

NooBish AbbZ said:
But if I were to use any pcie 3 or 4, I'd still be limited to those two slots, yes? If so, I feel like 1Tb would be plenty

Correct.

Pcie3 or pcie4 which ?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team-group-mp33-pro-1tb-ssd-m.2-2280-nvme-pcie-3.0-solid-state-drive-sto-tmg-02681.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/crucial-p3-1tb-m.2-2280-pcie-3.0-nvme-solid-state-drive-hd-077-cr.html

Pcie4

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/wd-green-sn3000-1tb-ssd-nvme-m.2-2280-pcie-4.0-solid-state-drive-sto-wdc-04131.html

NooBish AbbZ · 10 Apr 2025 at 09:46

Going to look to future proof and grab a 2Tb, Western Digital because I've never had issues with them (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/wd-b...0-solid-state-drive-wds200t3x0-hd-58g-wd.html)

Thank you for your help <3

mickyflinn · 10 Apr 2025 at 11:59

NooBish AbbZ said:
Going to look to future proof and grab a 2Tb, Western Digital because I've never had issues with them (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/wd-b...0-solid-state-drive-wds200t3x0-hd-58g-wd.html)

Thank you for your help <3

Your welcome.

At £115 it's overpriced imo but a good drive.

Fluffybob · 10 Apr 2025 at 14:41

NooBish AbbZ said:
I've also never done my own fresh install of windows, so, what could go wrong?!

Thank you!

The only thing to pay attention to is making sure you install onto the correct drive

I tend to unplug the unused ones when installing to remove the risk of a stupid ! !

bledd · 11 Apr 2025 at 00:59

Fluffybob said:
The only thing to pay attention to is making sure you install onto the correct drive I tend to unplug the unused ones when installing to remove the risk of a stupid ! !

Great advice, saves the boot loader going on the wrong drive too

Snapshot · 11 Apr 2025 at 07:34

NooBish AbbZ said:
Hi OC,

I've also never done my own fresh install of windows, so, what could go wrong?!

Thank you!

You could just clone the old drive to the new but a fresh install does get rid of all the accumulated cruft. Just make sure you have the serial numbers for all your applications. You shouldn't need one for W10 as it will be recognised as registered to that PC.

NooBish AbbZ · 11 Apr 2025 at 13:12

Snapshot said:
You could just clone the old drive to the new but a fresh install does get rid of all the accumulated cruft. Just make sure you have the serial numbers for all your applications. You shouldn't need one for W10 as it will be recognised as registered to that PC.

Yeah I will be recording the product key before I go for it!