Looking for a new m.2 drive that is suitable for livestreams, multi browsing, easy encoding/rendering, NOT gaming! Budget: €300

[winterwonderland]

Well then, I went for the LEXAR NM790 without heatsink! I am excited to have it in place for my current setup! Big thanks to you all for the inputs on this!

However, I have a new question: My mobo, which is the Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X, how many m.2 drives can I mount there? 2 or 3? I ask because with the Lexar NM790, I will have 1 spot available (if it can hold 3 drives), and I was thinking about replacing a 2TGB SATA drive with a 2TB M.2 instead, which is something I should be considering to do, when it comes to storage, correct?

 

[Onasi]

My mobo, which is the Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X, how many m.2 drives can I mount there?

Natively? However many M.2 slots there are on the board, though that might cut into PEG PCI-e lanes. With an extension card that number of potential drives is significantly larger, though that’s more of a specialty item.

I was thinking about replacing a 2TGB SATA drive with a 2TB M.2 instead, which is something I should be considering to do, when it comes to storage, correct?

Depends what that storage is for and what you are replacing. Is that a SATA SSD or HDD?

 

[winterwonderland]

Natively? However many M.2 slots there are on the board, though that might cut into PEG PCI-e lanes. With an extension card that number of potential drives is significantly larger, though that’s more of a specialty item.


Depends what that storage is for and what you are replacing. Is that a SATA SSD or HDD?

You're being very technical with your replies to someone who is a noob, you know. But I appreciate your help nonetheless! I asked because I am unaware how many M.2 ports my mobo has, and obviously, I meant nativeely, as that item you mentioned, is like you said: a speciality item. Hence my question: How many M.2 drives can it fit? 2 or 3? This is what google says:

• 2 x M. 2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB, M2Q_SB)
• 1 x M. 2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2M_SB)

So, I take it that means it can hold up to 3 drives, yes?

Yes, I am replacing a SATA HDD. That is a 3.5" drive, yes? Nah, just for basic storage of photos and recordings. Or should I just go for another 4TB NM790 after some time?

Thanks for helping out.

 

[Onasi]

@winterwonderland
I am not sure which version of the Gaming X ( there are both DDR4 and DDR5 ones) you have, but sure, it should fit 3 drives.

Yes, I am replacing a SATA HDD. That is a 3.5" drive, yes? Nah, just for basic storage of photos and recordings. Or should I just go for another 4TB NM790 after some time?

For simple storage going for NVME makes rather little sense. If you can find some cheap high capacity SATA drives - that would probably be a better fit. Though depends on how often you would access that data - if it’s in constant use for, say, video editing then NVME can be justified. Otherwise - probably a waste.

 

[Macro Device]

No idea why you should sell your existing one and replace it, unless it's poor quality of course. SATA doesn't equal poor quality.

Never mind, I didn't know 'twas an HDD.

 

[chrcoluk]

Yeah it's a good price

You can get a third party heatsink for about £5

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCTIC-ACOTH00001A-M2-Pro-Black/dp/B09VH29PR1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3UEWP0TO3TQX9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZDfChfFPW1yK6DXHKFAwQqnky6MJdPwE2TBepv9sk38-hOnIl6JsgUmhPhsFZePBGwFn_cJzDSFk2uy9CO9Tjtm2jofT7gXD-gjdAwmufAFN02L1530oJS2yETLwOuiOrLGbczvj_zZrVCov7G0o0s4IJ32qT7SYbV4e40pkuLePrLDxxqXsKniJ0HCDLRcFs5E6RL1sXEgkSBt4W7OqfOUmVwvI_WHSG6GFRLFTrfZGh3LJOEGJzRq4vF-HQGdv6alTZx7rIBDYYHQa0dWWyv8uonIiI9TLQqf0q5uiklo.-aK26zWS7uqy2iem-e8iuLsRIdmtWyczatu7N2ACrZ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=m2%2Bheatsink&qid=1752074398&s=computers&sprefix=m2%2Bheatsink%2Ccomputers%2C60&sr=1-4&th=1

Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 TYPE A B SSD Heatsink Cooler, M.2 2280 Heatsink Cooling for Desktop High Performance SSD Cooler : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 TYPE A B SSD Heatsink Cooler, M.2 2280 Heatsink Cooling for Desktop High Performance SSD Cooler : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.co.uk

Looks like I need to make a ticket begging for the discount, it was removed abruptly.

Historically WD have given me every discount I have asked for, hopefully they do it here as well. Otherwise I will wait, even if its several years, I refuse to pay for something I know has recently been sold for much less. Unless you know of anyone else a reputable retailer where its no more than £220 for 4TB of the drive.