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T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

T430-T490, T530-T590 Series
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wwcanoer
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T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

#1 Post by wwcanoer » Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:04 am

Is there a maximum msata size for the T530? (2429-LZ9)

Will a 1TB M.2 2242 with M.2 to msata adapter work fine?

axur-delmeria
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Re: T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

#2 Post by axur-delmeria » Sat Apr 23, 2022 9:29 am

The size limit for mSATA is the same for hard drives, because they've both SATA devices. I've installed 1TB HDDs and SSDs on my Thinkpads, so theoretically your planned setup should be fine.

The real question is whether there's enough clearance above the mSATA slot due to the added height of the adapter + M.2 SSD. I haven't seen nor opened up a T530, so can't say if it will fit.
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wwcanoer
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Re: T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

#3 Post by wwcanoer » Sat Apr 23, 2022 1:10 pm

Thanks, I didn't think about the height. (The length x width is fine since the adapter is the same size as msata.)

I measure:
From the screw (i.e. bottom of the msata PCB) to the top of the magnesium cage at the DVD bay = 0.212"
msata PCB = 0.040
M2 sata maximum component thickness: 1.5 mm (0.060") (as per Wikipedia)
So total thickness:
- 0.040 adapter PCB (assumption)
- 0.060 M2 sata bottom component
- 0.035 M2 sata PCB (0.8 mm ± 10% = max 0.035)
- 0.060 M2 sata top component
Total = 0.195 for a 0.212 space! :)

So, it should work! But if the adapter PCB is much thicker than 0.040 it might not, so I'll buy the cheap adapter first, then measure it and ensure that the M2 sata that I plan to buy is thinner than the remaining space.

Why do I want M2 sata? Because then it's more likely to fit a new computer whenever I eventually upgrade. Msata and M2 sata are about the same price and the adapter is only $2. Seems to be a simple pass-through adapter, so there shouldn't be any speed impact.

(I have 2TB SSD & 2TD HDD in the DVD tray with old 80GB msata.)

axur-delmeria
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Re: T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

#4 Post by axur-delmeria » Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:53 pm

I wonder if an M.2 2280 SATA SSD can be made to fit. :twisted:

AFAIK M.2 2242 SSDs are more expensive per GB compared to the more common 2280.
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Re: T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

#5 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Apr 24, 2022 1:48 am

I have seen 2280 cut in half to fit in 2242
That post is about NVMe SSDs but there may be similar mSATA ones.
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wwcanoer
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Re: T530 Maximum msata size? 1TB M.2 2242 with adapter ok?

#6 Post by wwcanoer » Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:03 pm

M.2 basic and NVME come in "bendable" 2280 that are intended to be cut to a smaller size (2260, 2242) so that's not a problem.

The T530 definitely CANNOT take anything longer than a 2242.

Since a 2TB 2242 is expensive, investing in one that's not NVME is less than ideal (although it could always be placed in a 2.5" case), so I took a look at what newer used computers were available and discovered that many of them cannot take both a 2280 NVME and 2.5" SSD/HDD at the same time! (Even T570/T470 only have room for a 2242! Like, seriously, they can't find enough space in a 15" laptop for a 4480?!) For Lenovo Thinkpads, it appears that since it's still a combo msata/WWAN slot that some M.2/NVME are not compatible. Here in Indonesia, I only have local brands available, so to spend that much on a 2TB that might not work is less than ideal, so maybe I'll just get a 256 or 512 M.2 or msata to free up a little space. :(

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