Storage capacity is essential while developing or upgrading a computer in this digital age. Solid-state drives (SSDs), which outshine typical hard disc drives (HDDs) in speed and reliability, have become extremely popular.
But one frequent query is, How many ssd can a motherboard support rely on how many slots are available and how big the drives are? For instance, if a system has two M.2 slots and four SATA slots, it may accommodate up to six SSDs., although some go as high as eight.
In this post, we’ll look at the different factors that affect how many SSDs a motherboard can support and give you a detailed explanation of both the possibilities and the restrictions. Moreover, we will discuss how to install SSDs.
So, first of all, we will discuss our fundamental question: How many ssd can a motherboard support?
How Many SSD Can A Motherboard Support?
The simple answer of How many ssd can a motherboard support depends on how many slots it has and how large the drives are. For example, a device with two M.2 slots and four SATA slots could hold up to 6-8 SSDs.
The number of SSDs (Solid State Drives) that a motherboard can handle depends on some things, such as the motherboard’s form factor, the number of available storage interfaces, the number of storage slots, and the number of available M.2 slots and SATA ports motherboard has.
- M.2 Slots: Many current motherboards have M.2 slots, smaller slots made for SSDs. Some systems may only have one M.2 slot, while more expensive ones may have more than one. Most of the time, one M.2 SSD can fit in each M.2 spot.
- SATA Ports: Most motherboards also have SATA ports, which can connect both Hard Disc Drives (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs). There are also different numbers of SATA ports, some of which can be used for SSDs.
- PCIe Slots: Some systems let you add storage expansion cards that can hold multiple SSDs on a single card. Most of the time, PCIe slots are used to connect these cards.
- RAID configurations: Some motherboards support RAID configurations, which let you group multiple SSDs (or HDDs) to improve speed or back up data.
- Adapters: You can sometimes connect extra SSDs to the computer with PCIe or other adapters.
The specifics of a motherboard will tell you how many SSDs it can handle. It is essential to look at the motherboard’s instructions or spec sheet to determine how many SSDs can be installed simultaneously. If you use multiple SSDs, consider power needs, data speed, and possible thermal issues. M.2 slots and SATA ports that can be used.
Two or three Sata ports may be on a basic entry-level board, whereas high-end boards may have up to 10 or 12 ports for numerous discs or RAID configurations.
How many you can use at once also depends on the drive type. No matter how many ports are available, faster interfaces precede slower ones.
Therefore, if your board has 6 SATA ports but only 4 support SATA III for more incredible speeds, your board’s maximum recognized drives would be limited to four.
Multiple motherboards additionally support M2 NVMe slots, adding extra potential connections based on availability.
Some boards also have U2 connectors, allowing two M2 drives to be connected simultaneously over a single cable. The majority of motherboards include at least two different SATA connection types:
- SATA (Serial ATA)
- SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)
Many users use motherboards, SATA connection standard, which is slower but more reasonably priced and supports up to four drives per port with a single connector cable. As a result, a typical desktop computer motherboard can feature a total of two ports connecting four internal hard disc spaces.
The quantity of drive bays in your computer chassis and the type of connection available significantly determine how many SSDs you can install. Whatever other factors, such as:
- The ports or connectors used by existing components
- Adding more drives will only be possible if the chassis has enough empty slots for additional storage devices.
Three 3 ½ inch hard drives can typically fit in most mid-tower cases, whereas five 3 ½ inch hard drives plus a 2 ½ inch solid state drive slot hidden behind one wall panel on the front edge of the case can fit in full-tower cases.
Generally, at least two SSDs can be installed in a modern PC system, while more may be supported depending on the motherboard’s specific model and configuration.
You can use up to four storage devices, two SATA-based SSDs, and two M.2-based ones if your motherboard supports SATA and M.2 drives.
However, this depends on the brand and type of your motherboard, so double-check before making any purchases! Additionally, specific boards with PCIe slots can accept NVMe-compliant SSDs. Still, they typically only have one slot per board, making them less flexible for expanding storage capacity than SATA or M.2 slot.
Read Also: Can I put 3200mhz RAM in a 2400mhz motherboard?
Do I Need A Lot Of SSDs?
An SSD is worth it if you need fast boot and load times, better general system performance, and can afford the higher cost per gigabyte. An HDD may be the better choice to store more data for less money.
Each approach is only helpful in addressing specific aspects of SSD requirements. Depending on the kind of files you’re working with and how much space they require, you’ll need a certain quantity of storage.
For instance, if you frequently work with text documents, you will require less space than someone who deals with large video or audio files.
Additionally, you’ll require a more fantastic capacity SSD if you have a lot of data that changes regularly (like images or videos) so that your computer can keep up with your workload.
In general, a 128GB SSD will be enough for general users. This gives room to store personal information and adequate room for the operating system and other necessary programs.
If you need more space, you should get a 256GB SSD. This will give you much space for development without having to spend a lot of money.
Read Also: Does The Motherboard Matter For Gaming? Let’s Explore The Truth 2023
How To Install An SSD? 5 Simple Steps
An M.2 SSD looks like a stick of gum with chips on one side, a name on the other, and gold contacts at one end. Some will work that way. Some will come with heat sinks and look more like a pack of gum than a stick. Some systems have a shield over the M.2 slot, so you must move the drive under it. We’ll talk about all of them below.
Step 1: Select the M.2 Slot:
The first thing you need to do is find where the M.2 slot is on your processor. Look for a hole about an inch wide that sticks about a quarter of an inch from the motherboard. Every motherboard is different, but the most usual places are below the CPU and near the PCIe slots in the lower half of the board. If you can’t find it, look in the instructions.
A few processors come with a protective cover already attached. This covering acts as a heat spreader and can also add a nice touch to the look of the computer. This must be removed before you can reach the M.2 slot.
If your motherboard can handle two M.2 SSDs, you must look in the instructions to determine which slot is best for your boot drive. Each slot may give a different level of performance, and some may turn off a PCIe slot if it is used. In short, first read the instructions!
Step 2: Find M.2 Mounting System:
Find the screw about three inches to the left of the correct opening inserted into a standoff. When the drive is put in, a space will be between the SSD and the CPU. This is why the standoff is there. The offset is significant because it keeps the drive flat.
Look in the box if your motherboard doesn’t have the screw or standoff. It may be in a small plastic bag. If your motherboard has an M.2 shield, you’ll need to find the two screws that hold it to the motherboard.
Step 3: Arrange for M.2 SSD installation:
Now it’s time to ground yourself by touching a metal table leg and getting a screwdriver. You don’t want to lose a screw or have it roll around on your motherboard, so unscrew the offset screw and put it somewhere safe.
If you have a shield, unscrew it from the processor and look at the bottom. There should be a thermal pad with plastic on top of it. Don’t remove the plastic yet; just put the shield somewhere safe.
The most usual M.2 size is 80 millimeters, but no matter what size drive you have, you must ensure the standoff is in the right place. Move the drive over to the slot and measure how long it is. If you need to, you can use tools to loosen the standoff and move it to the right length. Ensure the standoff is put in all the way but not too tight. You don’t want it to move while we try to put the screw in.
Those of you who have shields probably aren’t in a fight. Instead, the drive should rest on a square brace while the cover holds it.
Step 4: Installation M.2 SSD
The next step is to put the drive into the computer. Think of the side with the name or sticker for the brand as the “top” of the drive. The screw will hold in place the edge with the half-circle-shaped cutout. We put the edge with the gold contact points into the M.2 slot.
The touch points are split into two parts by a small notch. It would help if you lined up that notch with a cut in the M.2 slot, with the top of the drive facing up. Put the drive in tightly at an angle of about 15 degrees until it won’t go in any further, and then let go.
If the device uses screws and standoffs, you’ll need to press down on the drive so that it sits flat and the half-circle notch lines up with the standoff. Put the screw in the drive while keeping it flat, and tighten it until it feels right. If you tighten too much, you could damage the drive, the screw, or the computer. If you did the installation correctly, the drive shouldn’t move.
If you have a cover, you’ll have more to deal with, so take your time with the next steps.
Since the drive doesn’t have a screw to keep it flat, you’ll have to hold it down while you put the shield over it or ask someone to help you hold it while working with it. Before removing the plastic piece from the thermal pad, try it out first. Just remember to remove it later.
When ready, remove the plastic and put the screen on the drive. Putting it on straight is essential because the thermal pad is sticky and could cause the drive to slide out of its slot if you move it after it’s stuck to the shield. Don’t worry if that happens. Carefully take the SSD off the heat pad and start over.
Getting the screws to line up with the standoffs is the hardest part. One trick is to hold the shield’s screws in place as you move it down. This lets the screws make contact with the standoffs before the heat pad makes contact with the drive. Once you are done, low the shield and tighten the screws. I am reminding you again not to tighten it.
Step 5: Final Instructions about M.2 SSD Instalment
The last thing to note here is that some M.2 SSDs feature their built-in heat sink. The heat sink on an Adata XPG Gammix S70 drive we evaluated was too large to install. Most of our tests are less intrusive. Avoid placing your motherboard shield over the heat sink. Just keep the shield safe in case you need it.
Wrapping up:
So, 2 places can fit several SSDs (Solid State Drives). How many SSDs can be installed on a motherboard relies on how many slots are available and how big the drives are. For instance, if a system has two M.2 slots and four SATA slots, it can hold up to six SSDs.
SSDs can be connected to multiple M.2 spaces and SATA ports simultaneously. High-end motherboards can handle multiple M.2 and SATA SSDs, and you can add more SSDs with PCIe adapters. RAID setups give you even more choices. The exact number depends on how the motherboard is made and its specs. Always check the motherboard’s instructions to find out how many SSDs it can handle, taking into account power, bandwidth, and temperature for the best performance and stability.
FAQS:
Q1. What is an M.2 SSD?
M.2 is a form factor for SSDs that looks like a stick of gum. It is a type of connection or physical shape that SSDs use. M.2 drives can work with different storage systems, including NVMe. These SSDs are usually faster, but they cost more.
Q2. Will my motherboard support SSD?
Every SSD, whether NVMe or SATA, works with every computer via USB! SATA SSDs can be used with any motherboard with SATA slots, every motherboard made in the last 20 years. But M.2 SSDs that are small, like the ones in the picture below, need a processor with an M.2 slot.
Q3. Does SSD have a limit?
Triple-level cell (TLC) flash SSDs can last 300 write cycles with planar NAND and 3,000 with 3D NAND. The latest quadruple-level cell (QLC) NAND may handle 1,000 write cycles.
Q4. How long do SSDs last?
SSDs are very stable because they don’t have any moving parts. Most SSDs can last more than five years, and the most reliable ones can last more than ten. You can use how often you write to your SSD to guess how long it will last.