How to Add Second m.2 SSD to G438

grnzbra_1 · July 2021

I would like to add a second m.2 SSD to my new G438 pre built computer. I inquired of MicroCenter tech support and they sent what appears to be a build manual. That would be great if I had a pile of parts and was going to put them together. However, this is pre built and, when I open the case, things don't look the same. It looks like some things need to be removed before I can access the second m.2 slot. Are there any instructions for adding a second m.2 card (and a 3.5 inch HD) to an existing G438?

Kinda like

"1.After opening the case, take out this part (I suspect the NVDIA card) by doing the following...

2.hen you see the second m.2 slot.

3.Mount the card as follows...

4.Put back the part you just removed"

TS_JosephF · July 2021

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/8974/how-to-add-second-m-2-ssd-to-g438

Hello @grnzbra_1

The 2nd M.2 slot is located below the 2nd PCIe 16x slot. You may need to remove your GPU install the SSD. Here is a picture showing where it is located:

Installing the drive itself is fairly simple. Although you may need to get the screw to mount the M.2 itself. You insert the card at an angle and you will need to slide it in until you see the connectors on the M.2 drive are seated in the slot. This is pretty easy to do and you do not have to force anything. Once the drive is seated inside the slot, you can push the other end toward the board and insert the screw to finish installing the drive.

As for installing a 3.5" HDD, you will not be able to do this. The case does not have any 3.5" bay. It does have 2 different 2.5" bays if you want to mount a 2.5" HDD/SSD. We have a guide on how to do that here: https://community.microcenter.com/kb/articles/373-how-to-add-a-2-5-hard-drive-to-the-lian-li-micro-atx-170-case

grnzbra_1 · July 2021

What is involved in removing the GPU. Anything tricky about it?

As to the 3.5 expansion, this is from the specs for the the G438. Is the website incorrect?

When I bought the computer, I also bought the m.2 and a 3.5 inch HD. If it couldn't take the 3.5 HD, I would have expected the sales associate to indicate that to me.

By the way, does the new m.2 need to be matched to the existing m.2?

TS_JosephF · July 2021

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/34548#Comment_34548

I'm sorry, I was actually mistaken. I was thinking this is the Lian Li 170 case, but it is the Lian Li 205 Case. That one does have two 3.5" bays.

You will need to remove both the front of the case and the back of the case (behind the motherboard). You will see the bays in the bottom front corner of the case after removing these covers. To make it easier, I recommend removing the caddy from the case by unscrewing it on the bottom then mount the drive in this caddy.

Page 6 of the manual has some instruction on this: https://lian-li.com/downloads/LANCOOL_205_User_Manual.pdf

Let me know if you have any issues. I have the Lian Li 205M so this is pretty much the same.

As for the M.2 drive, you do not need to match them with what you already have installed like RAM. You can get any brand and capacity. Just make sure it is an M key NVMe SSD.