Physical Installation Instructions for Intel® Optane™ SSD 900P Series
Content Type: Install & Setup | Article ID: 000025736 | Last Reviewed: 10/28/2017
Support Knowledge Base
See the instructions below for how to install the Intel® Optane™ SSD 900P Series hardware. The PCIe* NVMe*-based SSD requires specific support from your motherboard or system vendor. Check with your vendor before proceeding.
Before you begin
Caution | Disconnect the desktop board's power supply from its AC power source before you connect cables, disconnect cables, install, or remove any board components. Without first disconnecting the power supply, you risk personal injury or equipment damage. Some circuitry on the desktop board can operate even if the front panel power switch is off. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage desktop board components. Install the board at an ESD-controlled workstation. If an ESD-controlled workstation is unavailable, wear an anti-static wrist strap or touch the surface of the anti-static package before handling the board. |
Prepare
Your board may have multiple PCIe* slots. The PCIe SSD needs a PCI Express* (PCIe) x4 or higher connector. Best performance is with a PCIe 3.0 connector.
In our example:
- Install the PCIe SSD in connector A, B, C, or F
- For best performance, we recommend the connector closest to the processor/CPU (F)
- If you encounter detection issues, the connector farthest from the CPU (A) may be more successful
- If you are using a third-party (add-in card) video card, place it in the PCIe connector closest to CPU (F)
Installation steps for Intel® Optane™ SSD 900P Series add-in card
- Find the proper PCIe 3.0 connector. Remove the screw and shield from your chassis
- Attach the SSD to the proper size I/O shield for your chassis
- Insert the SSD
- Replace the chassis screw in the shield to hold the SSD in place
See your chassis manual for more detailed instructions.
Installation steps for the Intel® Optane™ SSD 900P Series 2.5-inch U.2 drive
- Mount the SSD in the chassis using screws to hold the SSD securely
- Connect the cable to the U.2 SSD connector (SFF 8639)
- Depending on the cable that came in your box at purchase, either connect the:
- M.2 card in the PCIe supported M.2 motherboard connector
- SFF 8643 to your PCIe supported motherboard connector
- Connect SATA power to the connector on the cable
See your chassis manual for more detailed instructions.
| M.2 | SFF 8643 |
 |  |
| Note | Make sure the electrical connection to the mini-SAS HD/M.2 connector is PCIe, not SAS, or SATA. NVMe SSDs only support PCI Express* signals. The SFF 8643 connector is also called a mini-SAS HD connector. The SFF 8639 may also be called a SATA-express* drive connector with more signals. |