How to install an M.2 SSD in a PC: A SATA SSD drive is not your only option

Close view of a section of a motherboard with a rectangular flat board sitting on top of it, with the words Western Digital 500GB WD BLUE SN550 NVMe SSD

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.

Don’t just default to buying an SSD drive that connects with a SATA cable. It is worth considering your options. But be aware that you may have to choose between using either some SATA connectors or a M.2 SSD connector. I’ve seen on one of my boards it mentioned that if I used one of the M.2 SSD connectors, then I’d forfeit, I think, two SATA connectors.

See https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-m2-ssd/