SSD M.2 Drive Replacement

Written By: Gaëtan Suss

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

10 - 15 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to remove/replace your SSD M.2 drive from your computer.

If you haven't bought a disk yet, and you don't know if you need a SATA or NVMe disk, note that NVMe disks are faster than the SATA ones, but are not supported by all motherboards and are usually more expensive.

Tools

Phillips #0 Screwdriver

Parts

M.2 2280 SSD

Step 1

Turn off your computer if it is on.
Unplug all cables at the back and the front of your computer.
Make sure to turn off the power supply by putting the switch at the "O" position.

Step 2

Remove the side panel to get inside of your computer.
In my case, with a DarkWitcher case from Empire Gaming, I need to unscrew 4 screws to lift and remove the side panel.

Step 3

Locate the M.2 slot on your motherboard. If you don't see it, it may be hidden under the graphics card, you can check in the motherboard's manuel to find where it is.

Step 4

If the M.2 slot is accessible without getting the graphics card out, you can directly go to the step 6
Unplug the power cable by pushing on the clip and pulling it.

Step 5

Remove the screws securing the graphics card in place.
Push on the clip at the right of the GPU slot.
Remove the GPU by lifting it carefully.

Step 6

If your motherboard has no heat sink on you SSD, you can go the next step.
Remove the screw securing the heat sink in place.
Remove the heat sink by lifting it.
The thermal pad can stick to the drive, don't be afraid to take the heat sink off.
Make sure not to lay the heat sink on the side where the thermal pad is.