Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Yes. A PC can use two or more SSDs when it has compatible, available connections. Before buying a drive, check your exact PC or motherboard specifications and manual: M.2 sockets can support different interfaces, and some boards share resources between M.2 sockets and SATA ports. After installation, Windows may also need you to initialize and format the new disk in Disk Management.
What determines whether your PC can use two SSDs?
The available storage connections and the computer’s specifications determine how many drives it supports. Identify your PC or motherboard model, then check its official specifications and manual for the number of SATA connectors and M.2 sockets, supported drive interfaces, and M.2 lengths. MSI distinguishes M.2 PCIe and M.2 SATA drives in its SSD installation guidance; an M.2 drive’s shape alone does not establish that a particular socket supports it.
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Check for shared connections
Some motherboards make certain SATA ports unavailable when a particular M.2 socket is in use. The affected ports and conditions vary by board and drive interface, so check the storage-sharing notes or tables in your own manual rather than assuming all M.2 installations have the same effect.
For example, MSI says that on the MEG Z590 ACE, using specified M.2 interfaces makes SATA2, or SATA5 and SATA6, unavailable. That is a model-specific example, not a general rule. See MSI’s storage detection troubleshooting guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
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Which second SSD can you install?
2.5-inch SATA SSD
Check that the PC has an available SATA data port and a power connection from the power supply. Installation uses a SATA data cable to the motherboard and a power cable to the drive. Confirm that the case has a suitable mounting location and that the selected SATA port is not disabled by an M.2 drive already installed.
M.2 SSD
Check both the drive’s physical length and its interface. An M.2 socket may support PCIe, SATA, or a specified subset of drives; the M.2 form factor by itself does not guarantee interface compatibility. The motherboard manual identifies supported socket types and sizes.
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
How to add the drive and make it usable in Windows
- Identify the hardware. Find the exact PC or motherboard model and consult its specifications and manual for available connections, supported interfaces, drive lengths, and resource-sharing rules.
- Install the SSD. Shut down the PC and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions. For a SATA SSD, connect its data cable to the motherboard and its power cable to the drive. For an M.2 SSD, MSI’s general guide describes inserting it into the socket at an angle and securing it with a screw. Case access, heatsinks, standoffs, and screw locations differ by system; follow the system manual.
- Open Disk Management. In Windows 10 or Windows 11, use Disk Management, a built-in tool for managing disks and volumes. If the new disk is offline, bring it online.
- Initialize the disk if prompted. Choose GPT for modern UEFI systems when you need support for large drives or more than four partitions. Choose MBR for older hardware or operating systems that do not support UEFI.
- Create and format a volume. Right-click unallocated space, create a new simple volume, format it, and assign a drive letter as needed. Carefully verify that you selected the new disk: Microsoft warns that formatting destroys data on the selected volume. See Microsoft’s Disk Management instructions.
What a second SSD changes—and what it does not
A second SSD can add storage capacity and let you keep data or applications on a separate volume. Simply installing another SSD does not guarantee a speed increase. Performance depends on the drives, interfaces, system, workload, and configuration; there is no universal speed gain established for adding a second drive.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A second SSD also does not automatically create a backup or combine the drives into one storage pool. Those are separate configurations. Windows Storage Spaces can pool disks, but Microsoft says it requires at least two extra drives in addition to the Windows drive. A simple space has no resiliency; mirror and parity options change how data is stored. See Microsoft’s Storage Spaces guidance before choosing a configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SPEED UP PROJECTS. Launch creator applications fast with uncompromising PCIe 4.0 read speeds up to 7,100MB/s,[2] (1TB and 2TB[1] models) and write speeds up to 6,700MB/s[2] (1TB[1]-4TB[1] models).
- CREATE AND STORE MORE. Make more room for your 4K videos and high-resolution images with capacities from 500GB[1] up to 4TB[1] on M.2 2280 built with our trusted 8th generation SANDISK BiCS QLC 3D CBA NAND.
- IT GOES WHERE YOU GO. With an all-new power efficient design, your drive delivers high performance with low power, giving you more time to be productive while on the go.
- UNCOMPROMISED RELIABILITY. With up to 1,200 TBW[3] (4TB[1] model) endurance rating, your drive is designed for creators.
- KEEP YOUR DRIVE UPDATED. Monitor your SSD’s performance and check for updates with the downloadable SANDISK Dashboard application.[5]
Rank #4
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
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- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Rank #3
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
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