Aspire xc-885 SSD upgrade. Can I plug in a 250GB SSD just for Windows and use my "classic" HDD

Stef27
Stef27 Member Posts: 6 New User
edited December 16 in Aspire and Veriton Desktops

hello

i'm newbie,and I have read several articles but i don't understand all i read.

i upgraded my PC with 2x16go RAM (crucial pro series).

but my problem is the slowness of this PC.

when i start it,that takes 5 minutes or plus.

after that,when i want to launch chrome or opera,or brave that take 2 minutes.

I feel like the hard drive is panicking,he scratches, I have the little blue circle that turns and I get angry while waiting

after reading some articles and watching some videos, I want to switch to SSD.

I know it is compatible with the M2x80 slot.

My question is:
Can I plug in a 250GB SSD just for Windows and use my "classic" HDD ?
Or should I change the HDD to 1TB and install Windows on it ?

is it possible to have SSD on the M2x80 slot with 1 To and install windows on it ?

thank you

sorry for the google translate my english is so poor ,i left school 30 years ago 😁

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Best Answers

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    edited December 16 Answer ✓

    You can clone your old drive to the new drive, then remove your old drive temporary and boot the new drive. Then after the new drive is established, plug your old drive back in and use it as a data or backup drive.

    I always used Acronis to clone, others use others.

    Be sure that you buy a SSD to fit the M2x80 slot.

    Maybe take a picture of it as they vary

    https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000144170/how-to-distinguish-the-differences-between-m-2-cards

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,447 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/717690/aspire-xc-885-ssd-upgrade-can-i-plug-in-a-250gb-ssd-just-for-windows-and-use-my-classic-hdd

    The Aspire XC-885 desktop has provisions for a 1x PCIe 3 x2 type M.2 SSD drive, this M.2 slot runs at a max speed of 2000MB/s read/write, as the PCIe3 x2 M.2 SSD drives are not available any longer, you can install a PCIe 3x 4 lane M.2 SSD drive as all these drives are backward compatible even the newest Gen 4 x4 lane M.2 SSD drives that will fit this desktops M.2 slot, the other 3x lots are all Serial ATA 6Gb/s connectors for a mechanical of an SSD type 2.5" size drive or a mechanical 3.5" size drive. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

    Aspire XC-885 mainboard and its drive slots

    image.png

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    I would do a visual to be sure that your mother board is the same. If so, you'll notice a BIG DIFFERENCE in boot time.

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    I was saying to take a photograph of the board but it's been posted so disregard. I see no reason for you not to move forward. Please let us know your progress

Answers

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    edited December 16 Answer ✓

    You can clone your old drive to the new drive, then remove your old drive temporary and boot the new drive. Then after the new drive is established, plug your old drive back in and use it as a data or backup drive.

    I always used Acronis to clone, others use others.

    Be sure that you buy a SSD to fit the M2x80 slot.

    Maybe take a picture of it as they vary

    https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000144170/how-to-distinguish-the-differences-between-m-2-cards

  • Stef27
    Stef27 Member Posts: 6 New User

    i think i can buy this one

    https://www.amazon.fr/Crucial-Interne-Compatible-Ordinateur-Portable/dp/B0DC8VPSHV

    Crucial P310 SSD 1To PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,447 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/717690/aspire-xc-885-ssd-upgrade-can-i-plug-in-a-250gb-ssd-just-for-windows-and-use-my-classic-hdd

    The Aspire XC-885 desktop has provisions for a 1x PCIe 3 x2 type M.2 SSD drive, this M.2 slot runs at a max speed of 2000MB/s read/write, as the PCIe3 x2 M.2 SSD drives are not available any longer, you can install a PCIe 3x 4 lane M.2 SSD drive as all these drives are backward compatible even the newest Gen 4 x4 lane M.2 SSD drives that will fit this desktops M.2 slot, the other 3x lots are all Serial ATA 6Gb/s connectors for a mechanical of an SSD type 2.5" size drive or a mechanical 3.5" size drive. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

    Aspire XC-885 mainboard and its drive slots

    image.png

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    I would do a visual to be sure that your mother board is the same. If so, you'll notice a BIG DIFFERENCE in boot time.

  • Stef27
    Stef27 Member Posts: 6 New User
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1314504#Comment_1314504

    ok
    so if I understand correctly, it is the PC that will limit the performance of the SSD.
    but I can therefore install any type of SSD 2280 whether it is 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation.
    so I think I will mount an SSD as I indicate above, the crucial P310 seems to me to be good for my use, I will look at some more comparisons on this subject, I do not want to spend 200€ or more.


    thanks

    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1314507#Comment_1314507

    in your first sentence you want me to show you a picture of the inside of my PC?
    sorry I didn't understand the exact meaning of this sentence.

    thanks

    I'm waiting for you all to confirm that and I'll place an order then.
    When it's installed I'll get back to you.
    Hoping not to encounter any hassle with the installation, cloning etc.....

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    I was saying to take a photograph of the board but it's been posted so disregard. I see no reason for you not to move forward. Please let us know your progress

  • Stef27
    Stef27 Member Posts: 6 New User

    ah ok

    yes the StevenGen's pic helped me to see what i need,and what i can do.

    i think, later , i will upgrade with 2.5 SSD instead le HDD.

    but first thing to do is upgrade with m2 SSD

    about SSD 280,is there someone to advise me with a model (price lower than 100) ?

    thx

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon

    You'll probably need a M2 x 2.5 or M2 x 3.0 screw if it doesn't hold tight. Usually they fit securely.

    I would advise to get it up and booting with the NEW SSD then switch your old HD.

    The size will depend on how much spare data that you need. You can always go to a cheaper external USB hard drive for data storage, Much slower but cheaper,

    A couple years ago, I bought a Crucial MX500 (1 TB) on my personal TC-895-UA92.

    It has been Ok for storing about 50,000 pictures and backup data. M2ve factory is 500GB .

  • Stef27
    Stef27 Member Posts: 6 New User

    yeah i think i'll change the HDD by a SSD 2.5" in few month

    but first the SSD M2

    thank you for screw 😉

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon

    You might need a STANDOFF AND A SCREW unless Crucial sends them . Amazon has them (USA).

    Search M2 SSD screw on Amazon.

    It will operate without the screw and stand off.

  • Larryodie
    Larryodie Member Posts: 1,718 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon

    You'll have to do this to the new drive. BUT remember after you've clone to disconnect the old drive unbtil you've establish the NEW as a BOOT Drive.

    https://www.crucial.com/support/articles-faq-ssd/initialize-ssd-windows

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,447 Trailblazer
    edited 7:36AM
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1314629#Comment_1314629

    With Gen 4 x4 lane M.2 SSD drives and the cheapest drives, it depends on the capacity but 1TB drives can be $100 or just above price range, have a look at this guide here as they show the cheapest 1TB M.2 SSD drives available. But I must warn you, that saving money on drives can be dangerous as these cheap drive can crash and you will lose your data, so be aware of that important aspect too. Good luck.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • Stef27
    Stef27 Member Posts: 6 New User

    I read the link you gave me.

    It was very interesting.

    Finally i think i will order crucial T500 it's in my budget.

    Thanks

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,447 Trailblazer
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1314759#Comment_1314759

    Glad to have helped you out, and that is great that you found a Gen 4 x4 that suits your budget. Good luck/

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

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