Hard Drive Recoomendations

Mr. Analog · April 18, 2023, 07:18:45 AM

My SSD is getting... old and a little unstable (deleted a bunch of files and it crashed my machine!)

So I'm in the market for a new SSD, any suggestions?

Lazybones · April 18, 2023, 10:30:07 AM

Samsung is still the leader in performance and reliability

Mr. Analog · April 18, 2023, 10:54:52 AM

Quote from: Lazybones on April 18, 2023, 10:30:07 AMSamsung is still the leader in performance and reliability

Any particular models I should look out for for gaming?

Melbosa · April 18, 2023, 10:55:30 AM

What is your motherboard make and model? Maybe we can move you to a NVMe drive.

Mr. Analog · April 18, 2023, 11:08:20 AM

Quote from: Melbosa on April 18, 2023, 10:55:30 AMWhat is your motherboard make and model? Maybe we can move you to a NVMe drive.

I believe it supports that. I'll check after work

Lazybones · April 18, 2023, 11:11:19 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analog on April 18, 2023, 11:08:20 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on April 18, 2023, 10:55:30 AMWhat is your motherboard make and model? Maybe we can move you to a NVMe drive.

I believe it supports that. I'll check after work

Provide the full model of the board as the SPECS for an "M.2" slot can varry between SATA only to PCI / NVMe support etc.

Mr. Analog · April 18, 2023, 12:04:55 PM

Quote from: Lazybones on April 18, 2023, 11:11:19 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on April 18, 2023, 11:08:20 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on April 18, 2023, 10:55:30 AMWhat is your motherboard make and model? Maybe we can move you to a NVMe drive.

I believe it supports that. I'll check after work

Provide the full model of the board as the SPECS for an "M.2" slot can varry between SATA only to PCI / NVMe support etc.

Will do

Mr. Analog · April 18, 2023, 05:20:14 PM

GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Master

Lazybones · April 18, 2023, 05:54:39 PM

Looks like you have LOTS of storage connectors.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-AORUS-MASTER-rev-1x/sp#sp

CPU:
1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU) --- This will be the best socket to use
Chipset:
2 x M.2 connectors (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB, M2Q_SB)
1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 PCIe 3.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2C_SB)
1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA and PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2M_SB)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors

Looks like your board has all the M.2 slots hiding under the heat spreader "M.2 Thermal Guard III"

How much storage do you want and how much do you want to spend?

Your board has an official support list for M.2 drives as well, while not 100% necessary it should ensure compatibility. https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-AORUS-MASTER-rev-1x/support#support-doc

I would probably recommend a Samsung 970 EVO / EVO Plus or 980 EVO Pro in the size / budget that works for you.

Melbosa · April 18, 2023, 06:36:30 PM

I would agree with @Lazybones assessment. I would recommend the Pro over the none of you don't cycle your storage very often. Having owned both in my gaming rig I can attest to the gains of the Pro series being worth the extra $$$.

Lazybones · April 18, 2023, 06:44:38 PM

I have a Samsung 970 EVO 500GB in my current system, according to the samsung utility I have written 19.2TB to it in its lifetime so far. A long ways off the lifetime estimated 1,200TBW life.

Mr. Analog · April 18, 2023, 09:07:30 PM

Well this certainly gives me something to work with.

Thanks for the recommendation guys!

Mr. Analog · April 19, 2023, 02:21:46 AM

Very affordable

https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX77786

Mr. Analog · April 19, 2023, 09:56:21 AM

Well my order has shipped and will be here in five to eight business days

I'll need some help with the install. It's only a few screws but they are hard for me to see

Melbosa · April 19, 2023, 10:53:01 AM

Sure let me know when in and I'll come over to help you out!