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

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

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

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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.

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

All comments

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

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

i think i can buy this one

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

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

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

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.

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.....

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

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

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 .

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 😉

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.

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

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://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.

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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

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/

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Hey

The corsair is inside

And cloning in progress

IMG_20241219_184410.jpg

Awesome. Good Luck

Looks like a Crucial number instead of a Corsair ??

yes it's crucial T500

cloning —> Done

tomorrow i will verify if all is ok and after i format the HDD

the PC is quicker……. it's so good

thanks for all guys😍😘👍️

Did it BOOT OK ?

yeah all is ok

the old HDD is inside.

when i cloned,i used disk genius,and we can check "boot on the new SSD".

now i can tell some numbers.

old HDD,i timed 2 times :

when i clicked on power button,to display password —→ 58 seconds

to have toolbar(complete with all icones) it was between 2 min 02 and 1 min 28

to open opera asap between 3:50 and 2:50

with SSD i tested 1 time to have/do same thing than the older :

toolbar 25 seconds

opera 35 seconds

i'm very happy with that

and now when i want to open folder or pics or videos stored it's very quick

1 week ago i wanted to throw my PC through the window,now i love it😁