Install M.2 NVMe SSD: Step-by-Step Guide for PC & Laptop

Tired of staring at loading screens while your mates are already dropping into the action? That old, sluggish hard drive is costing you precious seconds. The fix is simpler and cheaper than you think: a lightning-fast M.2 NVMe SSD. Learning how to install an M.2 NVMe SSD is one of the easiest, most satisfying PC upgrades you can do. This guide will walk you through the entire process for both desktops and laptops, step-by-step. 🚀

Corsair MP600 PRO XT 4TB PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD / Maximum Read Speed 7,100 MB/s / Maximum Write Speed 6,800 MB/s / Backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 / Aluminum heatspreader for cooling / High-density 3D TLC NAND memory / CSSD-F4000GBMP600PXT

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ADATA SU650 1TB 3D-NAND SATA 2.5 inch Internal SSD / ASU650SS-1TT-R

R1399.00In Stock

ADATA SU650 2TB 3D-NAND SATA 2.5 inch Internal SSD / 520MBs/450MBs - Read/Write Speed / ASU650SS-2TT-R

R1999.00In Stock

KingSpec XG7000 2TB NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD / QLC NAND flash memory / PCIe Gen 4.0, M.2 2280, Up to 7400MB/s/6600MB/s Read/Write Speeds / XG7000-2280-2TB

R1999.00In Stock

Kingston Fury Renegade 2TB PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe M.2 Internal Gaming SSD with Heat Sink | PS5 Ready | Up to 7300MB/s | SFYRDK/2000G

R4199.00In Stock

Western Digital SN850X 4TB NVMe Internal Solid State Drive / Up to 7300MB/s Read Speed / Up to 6600MB/s Write Speed / PCIe Gen 4 / WDS400T2X0E

R8499.00In Stock

Before You Begin: What You'll Need

Before you start your M.2 NVMe SSD installation, let's get your tools and workspace ready. It’s a quick job, but preparation is key to a smooth upgrade.

You’ll need:

• Your new M.2 NVMe SSD: The star of the show!
• A Phillips-head screwdriver: A small, magnetic-tipped one is ideal for handling tiny screws.
• Your PC or laptop's manual: Helpful for locating the M.2 slot if you're unsure.
• An anti-static wrist strap (optional but recommended): To protect your components from static discharge.

Most importantly, confirm your motherboard or laptop has a compatible M.2 slot. Check for a small, horizontal slot on your motherboard, usually labelled with "M.2" or "NVMe".

How to Install an M.2 NVMe SSD in a Desktop PC

Installing an M.2 drive in a desktop is incredibly straightforward. It clicks in directly onto the motherboard, meaning no messy power or data cables. Let's get to it.

KLEVV CRAS C930 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 Internal Gaming SSD with Heatsink / Compatible with PS5 / up to 7400MB/s with DRAM Cash / K01TBM2SP0-C93

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KLEVV Genuine G560 2TB Gen5x4 NVMe SSD / Up to 14,000MB/s Sequential Read / Up to 12,000MB/s Sequential Write / M.2 2280 Form Factor / Phison E26 Controller / K02TBM2SP0-G56

R7199.00In Stock

KingSpec XG7000 1TB NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD / TLC NAND flash memory / PCIe Gen 4.0, M.2 2280, Up to 7400MB/s/6600MB/s Read/Write Speeds / XG7000-2280-1TB

R1999.00In Stock

ADATA XPG Mars 980 Pro 1TB NVMe 5.0 Internal Solid State Drive / Up to 14,000MB/s Read Speed and Up to 10,000MB/s Write Speed / SMAR-980P-1TCI

R2999.00In Stock

Teamgroup T-Force G70 PRO 2TB NVMe Internal Solid State Drive / Up to 7,400 Read Speed / Up to 6,800 Write Speed / Multiple Caching Systems Available / Patented Graphene Heatsink Technology / TM8FFH002T0C129

R3799.00In Stock

Corsair MP700 PRO 1TB with Air Cooler PCIe Gen5 x4 NVMe 2.0 M.2 SSD / Up to 11,700MB/s Sequential Read / Up to 9,600MB/s Sequential Write / M.2 2280 Form Factor / CSSD-F1000GBMP700PRO

R4199.00In Stock

Step 1: Power Down and Unplug

Completely shut down your PC. Switch off the power supply unit (PSU) at the back and unplug the main power cable. Press the power button a few times to discharge any remaining electricity.

Step 2: Open Your Case and Locate the M.2 Slot

Place your PC on its side on a flat, stable surface. Remove the side panel to access the motherboard. The M.2 slot is a small connector about 22mm wide. You might find it below the CPU, near the PCIe slots, or even hidden under a heatsink (a "heat spreader").

Step 3: Insert the M.2 SSD

If there's a screw in the standoff at the end of the slot, remove it. Take your M.2 SSD and, holding it by the edges, slide the gold-connector end into the slot at a 30-degree angle. It should fit snugly. The drive will naturally stick up at an angle.

Step 4: Secure the Drive

Gently press the other end of the M.2 SSD down so it sits flat against the motherboard standoff. Use the small screw you removed earlier to secure it in place. Don't overtighten it... just firm enough to be secure. High-performance drives from brands like CORSAIR sometimes come with their own heatsinks, which are installed at this stage.

How to Install an M.2 NVMe SSD in a Laptop

Upgrading a laptop is similar, just a bit more compact. The key is to be gentle and organised. 🔧

Step 1: Power Off and Disconnect

Shut down your laptop, unplug the charger, and disconnect all peripherals.

Kingston NV3 2TB NVMe SSD / Up to 6,000MB/s Read / Up to 5,000MB/s Write / PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe / M.2 2230 Form Factor / SNV3SM3/2T0

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KLEVV CRAS C910 4TB NVME PCIe SSD Gen4x4 / Sequential Read up to 5200MB/s / Sequential Write up to 4800MB/s / Aluminum Heatsink / 3D NAND Technology / K04TBM2SP0-C91

R5999.00In Stock

ADATA XPG Mars 980 Blade 4TB NVMe 5.0 Internal Solid State Drive / Up to 14,000MB/s Read Speed and Up to 13,000MB/s Write Speed / SMAR-980B-4TCS

R7999.00In Stock

Kingston KC3000 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 4TB SSD / High-Performance Storage for Desktop and Laptop PCs / SKC3000D/4096G

R8499.00In Stock

Dahua C800A 1TB 2.5" SATA 3.0 6 Gb/s 3D NAND Solid State Drive (SSD) / Read Speed Up to 500 MB/s / Write Speed Up to 470 MB/s / DHI-SSD-C800AS1TB

R849.00In Stock

ORICO e7400 M.2 NVMe SSD - 2TB / PS5 Compatible / PCIe Gen4.0 x4 / Up to 7,400MB/s Read and 6,600MB/s Write Speeds / ORICO-e7400-2TB-GD-BP

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Step 2: Open the Laptop

Flip the laptop over and place it on a soft cloth to avoid scratches. Unscrew the back panel. Keep your screws organised! Some laptops have a smaller, dedicated panel for easy access to RAM and storage.

Step 3: Disconnect the Battery (Crucial!)

Before touching anything else, disconnect the battery from the motherboard. This is a critical safety step to prevent short circuits. The connector usually just pulls out or has a small clip.

Step 4: Locate, Insert, and Secure the SSD

Find the M.2 slot. The installation process is identical to the desktop: insert the drive at an angle, press it down, and secure it with the screw. Many top-tier brands like Kingston offer M.2 SSDs perfect for laptop upgrades due to their power efficiency.

Once done, reconnect the battery, re-attach the back panel, and you're good to go.

After Installation: Setting Up Your New Drive

Western Digital SN8100 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive - 2TB / Sequential Read, Write Performance - 14900MB/s, 14000MB/s / PCIe Gen 5 / WDS200T1X0M

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Kingston XS1000 2TB SSD / Pocket-Sized / USB 3.2 Gen 2 / External Solid State Drive / Up to 1050MB/s / SXS1000/2000G

R2899.00In Stock

Corsair MP700 PRO SE 4TB PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD / Up to 14,000MB/s Sequential Read / Up to 12,000MB/s Sequential Write / M.2 2280 Form Factor / CSSD-F4000GBMP700PNHS

R10999.00In Stock

KLEVV CRAS C910 4TB NVME PCIe SSD Gen4x4 / Sequential Read up to 5200MB/s / Sequential Write up to 4800MB/s / Aluminum Heatsink / 3D NAND Technology / K04TBM2SP0-C91

R5999.00In Stock

Kingston XS1000 1TB SSD | Pocket-Sized | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | External Solid State Drive | Up to 1050MB/s | SXS1000/1000G

R1799.00In Stock

Western Digital 2TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - PCIe Gen 4.0, M.2 2280, Up to 5,150 MB/s / WDS200T4B0E

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Your PC won't automatically see the new drive. You need to tell Windows what to do with it.

1. Boot Up: Power on your computer.
2. Initialise the Disk: Right-click the Start Menu and select "Disk Management". A pop-up will ask you to initialise the new disk. Choose GPT (GUID Partition Table) and click OK.
3. Create a New Volume: Right-click the "Unallocated" space of your new drive and select "New Simple Volume". Follow the on-screen wizard—the default settings are usually fine.

Now your drive will appear in "This PC", ready for games and files! For many gamers, a solid-value option from a brand like ADATA provides the perfect balance of speed and affordability for a secondary games drive. If you plan on making this your main drive for your OS and a library of massive open-world games, investing in one of our popular 2TB M.2 SSDs is a smart move for future-proofing your rig.