The best thing about installing an M.2 SSD is that it doesn't demand a lot of space inside the PC case or requires any cables for connection. These SSD modules are small enough to be installed directly on the motherboard itself, and it only takes a few minutes to secure one of them in place. In fact, you can install an M.2 SSD very easily even on PCs that are already assembled. Installing an M.2 SSD is usually quite simple, even in a PC that's already been assembled.

Prerequisite

Things you'll need to install an M.2 SSD

  • The first thing you need to ensure is that your motherboard supports M.2 SSDs. Almost all the new motherboards on the market supports them, so you should be good as long as you're not using a PC that's older than, say, five years or so. Also, not all M.2 SSD modules are the same, meaning they use different keys, which refers to how the connector is shaped. It's similar to how there are different versions of USB like Type-A, Type-C, and Micro, so you'll need to check your motherboard and see if it's compatible with B Key drives, M+B Key or M Key drives.
  • You may also need a screwdriver to mount and secure the M.2 SSD module in place. Some motherboards, however, let you install it without any tools, but you may still need one to take off M.2 slot cover and expose the slot itself.

How to install M.2 SSD

A simple four-step installation

With the prerequisites out of the way, you are now ready to install the SSD. To install it:

  1. Locate the horizontal M.2 slot on your motherboard that's usually found between the CPU and the PCIe slot, or towards the lower part of the board. This is different for each motherboard, so you might want to consult your motherboard manual, which should have a schematic of the board telling you where the M.2 slots are.
    An image showing an M.2 slot on a motherboard.
  2. Remove the heatsink covering the M.2 slot by undoing the screws holding it in place. This is an optional step that's only applicable to the motherboards that come with a heatsink covering the M.2 slot. Some M.2 SSD modules also come with their own heatsink, and you can't use both, so you'll have to choose one or the other.
    An image showing a person holding an M.2 SSD module in place with their finger.
  3. Plug the M.2 SSD into the slot at an angle. You'll then have to push down on the side of the module that's sticking out with your finger until it's flat, at which point you can install the screw that keeps the M.2 drive in place.
  4. Once everything's in place, you need to place the heatsink back in its original position and screw it in. With that, you've successfully installed an M.2 SSD module on the motherboard.

Closing thoughts

Installing an M.2 SSD is perhaps one of the easiest steps in the PC building process. A few boards in our collection of the best motherboards don't even require you to fiddle with a screw, instead using a locking mechanism. As for M.2 SSDs, there are tons of great options available today, including from companies like Samsung.