F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Switch the storage to an external drive instead of the internal one.

Switch the storage to an external drive instead of the internal one.

Switch the storage to an external drive instead of the internal one.

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Fireball_sword
Junior Member
16
12-30-2025, 12:39 AM
#1
Hey! You're looking to make your old laptop more compact by rearranging its components. That’s a smart approach. Using a cable to connect the SSD directly to a USB port could save space and reduce clutter. However, keep in mind that this method might affect performance or compatibility depending on your setup.
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Fireball_sword
12-30-2025, 12:39 AM #1

Hey! You're looking to make your old laptop more compact by rearranging its components. That’s a smart approach. Using a cable to connect the SSD directly to a USB port could save space and reduce clutter. However, keep in mind that this method might affect performance or compatibility depending on your setup.

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brobear7
Posting Freak
892
01-03-2026, 02:36 AM
#2
It depends on the type of SSD and the type of adapter and the speed of the USB port. An NVMe SSD will always be slower when connected via USB. A SATA SSD may be as fast with a USB adapter if the adapter supports 10Gbps and you use a 10Gbps USB port. But there is an alternative if I'm correct. You say that your SSD is "sticking out the side of the motherboard". To my knowledge, a NVMe SSD is always screwed on the motherboard (in a laptop) so you probably have a SATA SSD. You know you can use a SATA extension cable and bypass the USB adapter and USB port thing ? https://www.amazon.ca/Extension-Qaoquda-...C82&sr=8-7 This is the first result from my search on Amazon.
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brobear7
01-03-2026, 02:36 AM #2

It depends on the type of SSD and the type of adapter and the speed of the USB port. An NVMe SSD will always be slower when connected via USB. A SATA SSD may be as fast with a USB adapter if the adapter supports 10Gbps and you use a 10Gbps USB port. But there is an alternative if I'm correct. You say that your SSD is "sticking out the side of the motherboard". To my knowledge, a NVMe SSD is always screwed on the motherboard (in a laptop) so you probably have a SATA SSD. You know you can use a SATA extension cable and bypass the USB adapter and USB port thing ? https://www.amazon.ca/Extension-Qaoquda-...C82&sr=8-7 This is the first result from my search on Amazon.

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Skeetarr
Member
146
01-03-2026, 04:31 AM
#3
The connector that links the SSD to the motherboard protrudes a few inches. Using a cable wouldn’t reduce its size. Can we find an alternative to replace it with a ribbon cable?
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Skeetarr
01-03-2026, 04:31 AM #3

The connector that links the SSD to the motherboard protrudes a few inches. Using a cable wouldn’t reduce its size. Can we find an alternative to replace it with a ribbon cable?

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jrp09
Member
183
01-07-2026, 09:31 PM
#4
There are 90-degree adapters and flat cables available. Simply search on Google or Amazon to discover many options. I can't guarantee any specific model, but it's clear they are widely offered. No?
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jrp09
01-07-2026, 09:31 PM #4

There are 90-degree adapters and flat cables available. Simply search on Google or Amazon to discover many options. I can't guarantee any specific model, but it's clear they are widely offered. No?