Installing SSD on MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming Motherboard? (noob)

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Azreide

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Sep 5, 2016
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Firstly, the SSD is a Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2.

When I ordered and put together this computer along with an SSD and some HHDs with the help of a friend, it wasn't too much trouble at the least. But when I got the SSD, it was in some sort of case and was mounted like a HDD is. Getting another SSD now, it seems to just be something more of a chip you slot in and I'm getting the feeling that this is the "norm" for SSDs, not what I got previously.

So looking up some videos on where and how to plug it in and then looking at my motherboard, it doesn't seem to me like my motherboard even has the slot necessary to slot the SSD into. But I wanted to be sure. I'm also starting to think that the SSDs that my OS is on might be installed wrongly too as it's just plugged into SATA ports like my HDDs are since they seem to have the same ports unlike the SSD I just got. Because apparently taking about 30 seconds to get into the login screen on a newly formatted computer with JUST the OS on the SSD is too long.

Once again, I'm a noob at this, I apologize if this is something that should be obvious.
 
Solution
boju
Sata ssd you're talking about is like a small laptop hdd with sata data and power and connected like a normal sata hdd. The m2 chip ssd comes as is, theres a slot on newer motherboards that connect it like the picture i showed. The m2 ssd you have is the same thing, it just needs an pcie adapter card for it to work with your motherboard. Newer motherboards with m2 support will have a spot for it to lay the m2 ssd flat on the motherboard.
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boju

boju

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Yeah you need an m2 slot which your mobo doesn't have. If you search m2 slot for pictures you'll see.

There are pcie to m2 adapters but you wont be able to boot from it.

The older sata ssds are still plenty fast enough so either return the m2 and get another sata ssd or try an adapter for storage means.

As for your current ssd appearing not to be quick enough on boot, is this after bios post its slow or before?

General setup of an sata ssd is to use the main chipset sata ports, ie Intel. Its common for mobos to have another set of sata ports known as Marvell. If you have both they should be coloured different and once you identify Intel's coloured ports, use that instead. You might be connected to Intel's sata already but check. Usually use port #0 for an ssd.

In the bios, set the sata controller to ahci mode if its on ide. Will need to reinstall Windows if you make that change.

Hope this helps.
 
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Azreide

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Sep 5, 2016
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Looking at my SATA ports, it seems to only have one "lot" of them. Next to the lot of them, it just has 6GB/s written, I believe. I'll have a look around, but I don't believe there's any other differently colored ports. But I will switch to port 0 for the SSD, at the least.

Also, my OS is already on an booting from that SSD (even if it's much slower than it should be), so is there any reason not to use a pcie to m2 adaptor? The main reason for this second SSD was to put games I want to load and run a bit better on it, will there still be a noticeable improvement in using an m2 with adaptor instead of a HDD?

Lastly, I was actually already considering getting a new Motherboard anyway due to one of my PCI (is that the name? I put this together ages ago and haven't done much since, I mean the slot the graphics card goes into) slots is iffy for some reason. Any recommendations?
 
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boju

boju

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See how you go using port 0. Looking at your mobo specs there are 6 Intel and 2 Via Asmedia.

Pcie m2 adapter will alow for storage and games. Its running off the pcie lane so it will be fast.

If you want another mobo the z97 have m2 slots. Check your cpu is supported if you keep your existing cpu.
 
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Azreide

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Sep 5, 2016
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Thank you for the help! I'll pick it as solution after I get an answer for this. Am I able to buy a "case adaptor" for it so I can plug it in like a HDD or my other SSD, or is it stuck in the form it's in now? Just asking since my other SSD is able to be plugged in, so maybe there's a similar adapter enclosure for this type, too.
 
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Nikhil_sood

Nikhil_sood

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For SSD's You need to purchase the SSD PCIe Card which mounts on your Motherboard's PCIe Lane. Well i surely suggest you to buy a new motherboard instead of this Expansion Card as the new MOBO will give you more benefits for your well spent price.
 
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boju

boju

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If for the m2 ssd, the adapter is like this. Pcie 1x adapter, you have 4 of those slots.

3_ADM2NVMPX4-M2-install1-500x500.jpg
 
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Azreide

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Alright, so my choices are. New motherboard, pcie m2 adaptor (but can't boot from it) or HDD enclosure? And just to be sure, a I can simply insert the SSD into a normal HDD enclosure and plug it in as a docked drive as I do with other drives?

Sorry for repeating in what is mainly just a "different way", I just want to be sure.
 
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Azreide

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Sep 5, 2016
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I'm still unsure what you mean by velcroing it somewhere. My SATA SSD is just fine in it's slot, docked alongside and plugged in with HDDs, is something bad about that?
 
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Azreide

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Ah, I see. Well anyway, so I can just get a enclosure for it and have the new SSD docked and plugged in with a SATA cable like all my other drives, then?
 
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Azreide

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When I ordered the SATA SSD, it already came in a form in which I could plug a SATA cable into it. I'm talking about the M2 SSD, or can I only get a pcie adaptor for that?
 
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boju

boju

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Sata ssd you're talking about is like a small laptop hdd with sata data and power and connected like a normal sata hdd. The m2 chip ssd comes as is, theres a slot on newer motherboards that connect it like the picture i showed. The m2 ssd you have is the same thing, it just needs an pcie adapter card for it to work with your motherboard. Newer motherboards with m2 support will have a spot for it to lay the m2 ssd flat on the motherboard.
 
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Solution
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Azreide

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Sep 5, 2016
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Ah, so they're completely, fundamentally different. I thought it might be like being able to put an HDD in a case to make it into a USB portable harddrive, but I suppose not. Alright, I'll look into the new motherboard or get an adapter.
 
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kdwaage

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Dec 27, 2017
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The Msi Z87-gd65 does support m2 sata so you can install it directly on your motherboard. Just go on Msi webpage and you can see where to install it.. So you dont need any adapters etc..
 
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