Acer Aspire GX-785-Ur19 - Can I add a M Key 1TB NVMe SSD to a PCIe x1 Slot via and adapter card?

Chip1
Chip1 Member Posts: 4 New User
I have an Acer Aspire GX-785-UR19 and I want to add a 1Tb NVMe PCie SSD card to it.
This motherboard does not have an M.2 slot only (2) available PCIe x1 slots.
I want to know if I can connect the NVMe 1TB SSD card to one of my PCIe x1 slot via a PCIe x1 adapter card that supports the NVMe M key SSD card and make it work as my new bootable "hard drive"?
If this is possible, are there any limitations to the size of the NVMe card and could there be BIOS issues encountered should I be able to proceed with this install with this desktop?
Thanks in advance.

Answers

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited March 2019
    @Chip1

    Checkout @brummyfan2 post in link below about the location of your Acer/Intel Kaby Lake mainboard's M.2 slot for an M.2 SSD.
    I don't know the answer to your question about PCIe x1 slot.
    Also, the link below appears to show that your i7-7700 Kaby Lake chipset M.2 slot supports both kinds of M.2 SSD......PCIe NVMe and SATA

    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/550287/gx-785-eb11-adding-m2-drive

    https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Acer-Aspire-GX-785/52498
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Chip1
    Chip1 Member Posts: 4 New User
    edited July 2021
    Jordan,

    Thanks for your quick response.

    You are correct, I do have an M.2 SSD slot on my motherboard. The reason I did could not locate it is due to the fact that the Radeon video card installed (in PCie x16) when I purchased this desktop covered the section of the motherboard where the M.2 slot is located. The M.2 slot only visible when I use a mirror to look under the Radeon card.

    The Radeon card is about an inch thick and now I need to figure out how be able to safely press the PCIe x16 locking tab to remove the video card to gain access to the M.2 slot.

    You have been very helpful and appreciate your assistance with my question.



  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    You're welcome.  I'm not sure if your motherboard has a M.2 screw to fasten down the M.2 SSD.   Some M.2 SSDs come with a screw and some don't.

    If you need a screw......

    https://www.moddiy.com/products/M2.0-x-3mm-Black-Screws-(CM2X3%2d3.3).html
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited March 2019
    The video below is for a different model, but it shows him pressing the PCIe x16 locking tab.  You do have to press kinda hard, but yes, obviously you don't want to damage anything. 

    https://youtu.be/_yvKjakrpN4?t=1164
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Chip1
    Chip1 Member Posts: 4 New User
    edited July 2021
    Jordan,

    Thanks for the informative video.

    The motherboard he is using in the video seems to be identical to the one in my Acer Aspire. Acer must use the same motherboard in many of their different PC models.

    You are very knowledgeable with the Acer PC's and was wondering if I could ask you another favor. Could you please let me know the best manner for me to identify a 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 SSD that would be compatible with my Acer Apire GX-785-UR19 desktop.

    I am hesitant to buy a SSD simply to discover that it would not work on my Acer PC and be stuck with non-working SSD.

    I know that I may be asking too many questions and be bothering you with yet one more. I sincerely appreciate your sharing your knowledge regarding the Acer computers. 

    Thanks again,











  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited March 2019
    If I were buying a 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD for your desktop, I would get the Intel 660p for $114 at New Egg.  It's not the fastest, but is good enough for me.  And the price is right.  But it doesn't come with a screw.  So you have to also buy a screw.  If for some crazy reason it didn't work, you can send it back to new egg for your money back.  It's a little more expensive on amazon.  If you want the best, go with the Samsung 970.

    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?reviews=all&item=N82E16820167462

    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2RC-00MF-00007

    https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-ssd-660p-qlc-nvme,5719-2.html

    https://www.amazon.com/Intel-660p-1-0TB-80mm-978350/dp/B07GCL6BR4

    You can see what other people have installed in their GX-785 below.

    https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Acer-Aspire-GX-785/52498
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Chip1
    Chip1 Member Posts: 4 New User
    edited July 2021
    Jordan,

    My sincerest thanks for sharing your knowledge. You have been extremely helpful !!!


  • lmccat
    lmccat Member Posts: 3 New User
    This thread is awesome! Thanks Jordan B. for all the links and helpful information. I'm curious if Chip1 ever got his SSD installed under the video card and how the process went. Chip1, if you're still monitoring this thread, I would love to know the outcome of your upgrade. I purchased a 1TB M.2 SSD I plan to install. I was curious how easy it was for you. Thanks!
  • lmccat
    lmccat Member Posts: 3 New User
    lmccat said:
    This thread is awesome! Thanks Jordan B. for all the links and helpful information. I'm curious if Chip1 ever got his SSD installed under the video card and how the process went. Chip1, if you're still monitoring this thread, I would love to know the outcome of your upgrade. I purchased a 1TB M.2 SSD I plan to install. I was curious how easy it was for you. Thanks!

    I am also curious if the SSD gets too hot under the graphics card.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,101 Trailblazer
    There shouldn't be any heat issue with the SSD, they don't generate the level of heat that a CPU or GPU put out.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • lmccat
    lmccat Member Posts: 3 New User
    billsey said:
    There shouldn't be any heat issue with the SSD, they don't generate the level of heat that a CPU or GPU put out.

    I was worried about the heat of the graphics card up against the SSD. But also, the SSD I got is a Crucial and some of the reviews said it does heat up.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,101 Trailblazer
    I'd just monitor your temps and wouldn't expect them to get out of hand. The air flow through the GPU is on the other side and blows through such that if anything it would create more disturbed air around the SSD than if there were no GPU.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.