How hard is it to install an SSD?

Posted by Ok-Fold8127@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 26 comments

When I bought my pc I got an extra ssd and still haven’t put it in (been 3 years 💀) and I was wondering how difficult would it be for me to install it. I’ve heard it is easy and I’m 90% sure my motherboard has an extra slot but I’ve never done anything regarding my pc internals yet. Thanks in advance

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depatrickcie87@reddit

If you lived in a time when a cell phone's battery could be removed/swapped/replaced, then you shouldn't find installing a M.2 very intimidating.

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JustArandomGuy_-_@reddit

Remember to remove the plastic from your motherboard heatsink. I forgot about it and a YouTube video reminded me to do it lol

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Sea_Perspective6891@reddit

Pretty easy wether it's SATA or M.2. Installing my first M.2 was pretty easy but when I got a second M.2 for expanded storage I for some reason had an annoyingly hard time finding the correct screw. Was close to giving up & buying a fresh pack of them before I finally found one at the bottom of my tool bag. Otherwise installing an SSD & the OS is pretty easy. I recommend doing a clean install of the OS using Rufus or a program like it. Just sm FYI if you try Rufus & it gives you an error during the flash drive formatting process you may need to use a previous version. That's what fixed the issue for me.

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neverspeakawordagain@reddit

If it's an M2 drive - which is flat, perhaps 1 inch across and maybe 5 inches long - it can be installed literally in seconds once you've opened up your computer. If it's a SATA drive (perhaps the size of a deck of cards) it's a tiny bit more complicated but not terribly so.

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PedanticQuebecer@reddit

5 inches? Most user M2 drives are 80mm long (that's the 80 in 2280; 3.1 inches).

I guess you measured it from the base.

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neverspeakawordagain@reddit

Ok this is a hilarious comment that deserves to be on some kind of Reddit Hall of Fame thing.

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PedanticQuebecer@reddit

I swear I can find a 22127 drive somewhere.

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bloodjunkiorgy@reddit

I guess you measured it from the base.

This is the funniest shit I've ever read in this sub.

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aragorn18@reddit

Physically, fairly easy. Is it a small stick the size of a pack of gum, or is it larger and closer to a deck of cards?

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Ok-Fold8127@reddit (OP)

I don’t know but pretty sure it’s nvme and skinny and long

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aragorn18@reddit

That's actually easier to install than the other type. Here's the general process.

If there's a cover on top of the M.2 slot, remove it.
Insert the drive at a 45 degree angle.
Push the drive down flat
Secure it with a screw on the end (or some motherboards have a screwless method)
Reinstall the cover from step 1

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Dumb_woodworker_md@reddit

Only think I would add is if your mobo has a cover make sure and get an SSD without a heat sink. Removing it can damage the SSD.

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ProbablyStillMe@reddit

Also: you might need to install a standoff (very simple, just screw it in) at the appropriate spot on the motherboard to hold the SSD in place.

The standoff might be pre-installed on the motherboard, or it might be sitting in a bag in your motherboard box. Check the manual for specifics.

I almost missed this step last time I put in a new SSD. I was very confused for a little while!

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Powerful-Ad2869@reddit

How to instalk NVME SSD on youtube and videos will pop up, the installation itself is super easy too, Good luck

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mail4youtoo@reddit

It's actually super easy barely an inconvenience

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Azoraqua_@reddit

I’d say about 1.5 on a scale of 10. You merely have to locate it, and plug it in. Possibly plug a few cables in as well. Among the easiest to do, most of the components are a piece of cake.

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ShredGuru@reddit

One of the easiest upgrades to do.

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anuj_sabhlok@reddit

Mate that is super difficult.

Don't even try it yourself the whole can blow up

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Ok-Fold8127@reddit (OP)

Okay sounds good thanks

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Ok-Fold8127@reddit (OP)

I don’t know but pretty sure it’s nvme and skinny and long