Often when working with a PC, we encounter problems that were not expected. For example, we don’t know how to connect an SSD to a computer. It would seem that the matter is not at all complicated, but it requires attentiveness and correctness of action. Therefore, if you decide to independently carry out components or assemble a PC, then you will need to know everything about such minor difficulties.
For what?
Computer upgrade is always a responsible matter. Not all users are willing to do this. Firstly, you need to be well versed in components, to understand the compatibility of different devices, to understand new products. Secondly, in addition to this, significant financial investments are needed, since the better the product, the more expensive it is, respectively.
To learn how to connect an SSD drive to a computer, in this case everyone will need it. Also, it is necessary for those who decided to build a PC on their own, or for those who have "lost their lives." There are many instructions on this subject on the Internet, so let's get started.
Features
Before we begin to understand this issue, we need to tell those who still do not know anything about SSDs.
This is a solid state drive, which is a non-mechanical storage device. It is based on a memory chip. The device replaced the HDD. Although it’s impossible to say so unequivocally, as many experienced users prefer to install a solid-state drive in their PC and HDD.
As a result, sometimes this device becomes the main one, replacing the place of the railway, sometimes auxiliary. In the second case, the system is loaded onto it, and personal information is stored on the railway.
Benefits
Now not everyone needs to know how to connect an SSD to a SATA computer, since most users still use this device in compact devices: laptops, netbooks, tablets, etc.
However, it can also be installed in stationary computers, since it brings additional benefits. Most importantly, it improves system performance. Compared with traditional railway, it received a smaller size and weight and increased speed. Moreover, the speed was 6-7 times higher. Hence, such a high price for an SSD.
In addition, solid-state drives began to be built in tandem with the HDD for the formation of hybrid hard drives. Flash memory in this case became occupied by the buffer. Although, as mentioned earlier, sometimes it is used as a separate free space.
In addition, noiselessness was added to the main advantages, since the device is non-mechanical and does not have moving elements. Hence the high mechanical resistance. Reading files is stable, without interruptions and jumps. Read speed is close to the bandwidth of the interfaces.
Connection
So how to connect an SSD to a computer? The hard drive is installed in approximately the same way. Therefore, if you have ever encountered the work of the hard drive, then with a solid-state drive there will be no problems. The difference is only in size. You will need to fit a smaller device into the desired slot.
Start
To start the procedure, of course, you need to turn off the PC. For reinsurance, it is better to do this from a power outlet, completely. Do not forget to turn off the power supply. Usually the button to turn it off is located on the back of the case.
Now you need to do the following operation: press and hold the PC power button for several seconds. This is necessary so that all the current that remains on the board and in general in the entire case disappears. So you turn off all circuits and ensure your safety.
The following steps may vary depending on your tasks. But in general, the connection principle is always the same.
Acting
To understand where to connect the SSD-drive to the computer, you need to get to the case. First you need to open it. Usually it all depends on its design. But there are always small screws to remove the left panel and get to the "insides" of the PC. There are cases in which access to ports can be on the other hand, so here you need to act on the situation.
If you are new to the design of the computer chassis, then you may have problems. But if you at least know what the railway looks like, and you can find it in a metal box, then half the job is done.
Typically, the hard drive is placed in a special compartment. There may be several of them in the case. These slots are made specifically for the size of the railway 3.5 inches. This is where you need to put the solid state drive.
Due to the fact that its dimensions are slightly different, since it is 2.5-inch, you will have to carefully attach it with bolts. They usually come with the device. Recently, slots in SSD enclosures have become increasingly common. Therefore, perhaps the task will be simplified.
When the drive is fixed and well fixed, you will need to figure out how to connect the SSD-drive to the computer, to the motherboard. Here the matter is somewhat more complicated, because you have to google or deal with the interfaces.
Compound
Next, you need to take the cable that came with the drive. You will find an L-shaped port on it. This is SATA. Other than that, the wires you need to have a power cable. Usually it looks like a bundle of wires.
First you need to connect the power cable to the connector from the power supply. After we take the SATA cable and look for the right place on the motherboard. Usually there are few options. If the board has SATA III, then it is better to use this port. If there is no such option, connect to SATA II.
Now these two wires will need to be connected directly to the solid state drive. A power cable is placed in the wider connector, and a SATA cable in the narrow.
Other options
Not everyone knows, but for a couple of years they have been releasing SSDs of the M.2 form factor. Now these models are not uncommon. Many prefer it to them. In addition, new-fangled models of motherboards began to be equipped with a special connector specifically for such a form factor.
As a result, the situation led to the fact that we need to know how to connect an SSD M2-drive to a computer. It must be said right away that there are many variations in this model. Therefore, the connection may be slightly different. But the main point is that, unlike the previous version, we connect the solid-state drive to the "motherboard" not with wires, but with the device itself.
When you see the M.2 SSD in the photo, you will understand what the point is. It is not presented in the case, as the model described above. It is made by a small board on which there are memory chips. This board has special slots for installing them on the motherboard.
It is impossible to describe the connection for all cases, since there are really many options. But when you purchase an M.2 SSD, you will have instructions that will tell you how to do it right.
Customization
After you have collected and connected everything, you can turn on the PC. During its loading, you need to call BIOS. Here you should look for the AHCI mode, which is responsible for the operation of the solid state drive.
Further, you can make other settings, depending on your needs.
For example, you are going to load an operating system on an SSD. But in addition to the new drive, you already have hard drives connected. Then you will need to set the priority of devices. To do this, put the SSD first in the list. We install the ability to boot the OS from a disk or flash drive.
If you need SSD as an additional tool, then it will be enough to check that the existing HDD is the first in the queue. Otherwise, the system may simply not boot. You might want to port the OS to SSD. In this case, after you have learned how to connect the SSD-drive to the computer, you will need to do a very voluminous operation. This topic is another article.
Laptops
When you try all the above operations by your own example, you will understand that you even know how to connect 2 SSD disks to a computer. The main thing is to have enough space on your motherboard.
But speaking of PCs, you need to remember that initially solid-state drives were massively used in laptops, since they are compact. Therefore, you can additionally learn how to connect an SSD to a laptop.
Of course, this issue is best considered with each model of the device, since the cases are different, and, accordingly, the placement of the disk slot is also different.
Nevertheless, the main thing is to decide where the railway is located in your laptop. Usually, you have to turn off the device and open the bottom cover. Sometimes it is completely removed, sometimes you can unscrew the panels of the compartments. In one of them, railway is usually located. If you can’t find it, open the instructions for your laptop.
It must be said right away that the railways in laptops are the same size as the SSDs, 2.5 inches. In order to remove the hard drive, you need to not just pull it out, but first pull it to the side. It thus attaches to the power connector and SATA.
Then it’s small - just install a solid state drive. Do not forget to fasten it with screws. Since there is usually one place for hard drives in laptops, you will have to think in advance about how you will transfer the operating system: by cloning or a new installation.
findings
You need to learn about how to connect an SSD-drive to a computer in advance, and not when you have unscrewed, unscrewed and disconnected everything. Sometimes you have to make additional settings, think in advance about the location of the OS.
This is most easily done when you only need a solid-state drive as an auxiliary tool. Then just plug it into another compartment and connector. If you want to make it the main one, then you need to read the instructions for cloning HDD and SSD, configure and think over everything in advance.
If you are assembling a PC from scratch and just decided to install its quick “colleague” instead of a hard drive, do not forget to set up a connection in BIOS. It is important to set the special mode and priority of the drives.
And do not forget to read the instructions for connecting. There are also always visual and simple explanations.