External storage options

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Kookoo

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#306470 25-Jul-2023 22:11

Help! I've run out of storage on my 128GB Lenovo Tiny.

What is my best option for USB 3.1 external storage that would allow me to install and quickly load Tropico, Civ 6 and the likes? Would M.2 NVMe or even an old-fashioned 2.5'' SSD make a difference or would they bottleneck on the USB anyway?

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#3108113 26-Jul-2023 05:41

depening on what version of USB 3.1 you have, USB 3.1 Gen 1 supports speeds of up to 5Gbit/s while USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports speeds of up to 10Gbit/s.

Should be able to get a NVNM external SSD which should be pretty quick

mentalinc

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#3108116 26-Jul-2023 06:19

If you share exact model # we can check but a quick look on the lenovo site suggests you can add more internally:

Are you sure you can't fit a 2.5" SSD in there? https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/components/ssdrives/ssd-sata

The other option would be to get a 1TB or 2TB nvme to replace the tiny one that was provided (should be illegal to sell windows with 128GB drives now) - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/components/ssdrives/ssd-m2

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cddt

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#3108181 26-Jul-2023 10:32

From a quick google it looks as though you can fit a 2.5" SATA drive in there as well as the M.2. But you would need to double check the specific model number to make sure.

Adding a 2.5" SATA SSD is a better option than an external USB drive.

You could also look at replacing the existing M.2 drive with a higher capacity one.

Kookoo

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#3108255 26-Jul-2023 12:52

mentalinc:

If you share exact model # we can check but a quick look on the lenovo site suggests you can add more internally:

Are you sure you can't fit a 2.5" SSD in there? https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/components/ssdrives/ssd-sata

The other option would be to get a 1TB or 2TB nvme to replace the tiny one that was provided (should be illegal to sell windows with 128GB drives now) - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/components/ssdrives/ssd-m2

It's this model, but I can't find the spec sheet anymore :( https://www.lenovo.com/nz/en/p/desktops/thinkcentre/m-series-tiny/thinkcentre-m75q-gen-2/11tc1mtm7g2

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Jase2985

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#3108357 26-Jul-2023 14:35

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkCentre/ThinkCentre_M75q_Tiny/ThinkCentre_M75q_Tiny_Spec.PDF

This one?

Kookoo

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#3108373 26-Jul-2023 15:00

Jase2985:

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkCentre/ThinkCentre_M75q_Tiny/ThinkCentre_M75q_Tiny_Spec.PDF

This one?

Not quite. This one is gen 1, my one is gen 2.

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mentalinc

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#3108388 26-Jul-2023 15:13

This site suggests it has a 2.5" bay so you should be fine to either replace the SSD with a newer larger one, or add a 2.5" SSD per my post and links above.

https://www.bechtle.com/it-en/shop/lenovo-thinkcentre-m75q-g2-r7p-8gb-1tb--4706234-02--p

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Kookoo

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#3108566 26-Jul-2023 20:05

mentalinc:
This site suggests it has a 2.5" bay so you should be fine to either replace the SSD with a newer larger one, or add a 2.5" SSD per my post and links above.

https://www.bechtle.com/it-en/shop/lenovo-thinkcentre-m75q-g2-r7p-8gb-1tb--4706234-02--p

I see. But it also says it only has one M.2 2280 PCIe slot, which I guess is used by the original Toshiba BG4 NVMe? Meaning that even if I got a 2.5'' SSD to put in the available 2.5'' bay, I'd have nowhere to connect it to?

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mentalinc

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#3108572 26-Jul-2023 20:27

There should be some Sata headers to connect to. Suggest open the case and see what's available

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Jase2985

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#3108626 27-Jul-2023 05:30

Kookoo:
mentalinc:

This site suggests it has a 2.5" bay so you should be fine to either replace the SSD with a newer larger one, or add a 2.5" SSD per my post and links above.

https://www.bechtle.com/it-en/shop/lenovo-thinkcentre-m75q-g2-r7p-8gb-1tb--4706234-02--p

I see. But it also says it only has one M.2 2280 PCIe slot, which I guess is used by the original Toshiba BG4 NVMe? Meaning that even if I got a 2.5'' SSD to put in the available 2.5'' bay, I'd have nowhere to connect it to?

they use different slots, a M.2 slot is different to a SATA header

Kookoo

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#3108667 27-Jul-2023 09:20

Jase2985:

they use different slots, a M.2 slot is different to a SATA header

I see. So either there's a SATA header in the 2.5'' bay which they don't mention because it should be obvious (?); or the bay is a bit useless in this specific model unless I can get an M.2 to SATA adapter?

I guess I won't know until I open it up.

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networkn

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#3108687 27-Jul-2023 10:26

Quick Q, why would you not just upgrade the existing drive? It's a pretty straightforward process, or any IT person could do it for you. Samsung Drives even come with free software for imaging from 1 drive to another that works very well.

Kookoo

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#3108744 27-Jul-2023 12:23

networkn:

Quick Q, why would you not just upgrade the existing drive? It's a pretty straightforward process, or any IT person could do it for you. Samsung Drives even come with free software for imaging from 1 drive to another that works very well.

Mostly beecause it never worked straight forward for me. There's always an issue. A volume doesn't map correctly, boot sequence changes, a partition is missing - something always goes wrong. It's all manageable and I can spend a couple of hours dealing with it, but I really don't want to. I'd rather add a drive for storage - internal or external, and move on.

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Jase2985

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#3108748 27-Jul-2023 12:52

Looking into it you just have to buy a SATA SSD

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/search/filter/components/ssdrives/ssd-sata?sf=SATA+SSD

The case has a tool-less SSD enclosure, buy the drive install the drive and you are done.

https://www.servethehome.com/lenovo-thinkcentre-m75q-gen2-tiny-review-amd-changes-the-game/

https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/thinkcentre_pdf/m75q_gen2_ug_en.pdf

Jase2985

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#3108749 27-Jul-2023 12:53

Kookoo:

networkn:

Quick Q, why would you not just upgrade the existing drive? It's a pretty straightforward process, or any IT person could do it for you. Samsung Drives even come with free software for imaging from 1 drive to another that works very well.

Mostly beecause it never worked straight forward for me. There's always an issue. A volume doesn't map correctly, boot sequence changes, a partition is missing - something always goes wrong. It's all manageable and I can spend a couple of hours dealing with it, but I really don't want to. I'd rather add a drive for storage - internal or external, and move on.

most drive mirroring software now days avoid all these issues.

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