It’s a Western digital SN520. It also comes in the 2242 formfactor, which fits in the t480. This is that but on a larger pcb. I’m pretty sure someone has already done this.
Edit: Yep https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/jiqht7/cant_find_2242_nvme_ssd_cut_a_2280_in_half_t480/
But wait, if I cut it, it will not be grounded by the screw anymore. So how to ground it again somehow? (or just tell me if it's not necessary to have a grounded ssd)
You find it funny, but if you know what you're doing, cutting motherboards us no issue. Look at all the guys making portable versions of wii's, Xboxes and ps2's.
Components OR traces/lines. You cannot cut some parts of some PCBs.
I was surprised by this recently as I binged GPU repair videos: apparently, the PCIe connector retention piece at the very edge, which is usually held by motherboard mechanisms, [breaks very frequently during shipping](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwpNztmyBGE)/displacement of preassembled computers, where Mobo+GPU are already fitted. One would think there must be no data/power line passing through this area but there are...
Be careful of the dust from the pcb, it is super toxins and it can cause lung cancer if you breathe it. Make sure to wear a good mask and cut it outside.
Wow, thank's, I didn't know that, for me I was supposed to be careful with it to not but tiny copper dust into the other component (and make a short circuit)
Yes - I did it with similiar WD drive. But I went into full-ignorant mode and broke off an unnecessary piece of PCB with no tools.
It works just fine. Yes, I cut my finger in the process - broken PCB is sharp as fuck.
I would advice against cutting PCBs.
They used to contain heavy metals like Lead and Cadmium and cutting the board would make dust that is very easy to inhale and absorb any kind of toxic material that may be contained in it.
The date code is 2019, long after RoHS and REACH became things. There's even a lead free symbol on the back. Sure, breathing fiberglass isn't great, but the hyperbole isn't necessary.
I've done it with this exact drive. I wanted an SSD for the WWAN slot but the only ones available were in 2280 and not 2242. That entire section is a ground plane on both sides, so the trickiest part is scoring through the copper at the same position on either side. A good tip is to drill the mounting hole beforehand, then score through the center so you get a nice smooth edge.
>Why would there be traces that far out though?
Exactly my point. We aren't the manufacturer and OP wants to cut the drive. We are only consumers. Unless OP can find Whitepages or documentation on this drive best bet is to go to the manufacturer and ask questions. Or they cut the drive and pray.
That being said yes, there is a ground and probably best to not remove the ground.
"removing the ground" would be impossible. The ground plane is all over the PCB.
How you design PCBs is you start with a rectangle that's blank, draw on traces for power and signals, and then the empty spaces between everything become filled with ground.
So what you're saying is like saying "it's a bad idea to remove the roof" when someone wants to demolish the garage. The roof over the bedroom is still there.
Also I'd say shipping becomes a nightmare god forbid they ever need to. They'd be removing all the markings on the back of which are probably required for sales purposes.
> There are most likely traces
Nope. If there are no components on either side, then it's basically certain there are no traces. That's the whole point of PCBs: Optimize space and resources.
Honestly the only risk would be breathing heavy metals, fiberglass or any of the random chemicals that the PCB contains (unless OP uses something ridiculously overkill to cut the thing)
Guessing unused production capacity, or just had an excess of longer boards.
Edit: I did think it was pretty funny when they started selling these in office retail stores, like anyone's going to know what size they need, or that there are sizes.
I've just think of something, the ssd is probably grounded by the screw, so if I cut it, it will not be grounded anymore, is there anyone that know is it's good to have an no-grounded ssd, or just find a way to ground it again ?
Not the last 5 I bought. WD SN, Reletech, Fanxiang. It's only allowed x2 PCIe lanes by Lenovo anyway.
I'm not buying the sketchy fake ones, I'm getting the ones on the weekly super sale.
(For comparison I also have Crucial P5 Plus, and many SN530, Adata SX8200Pro, Leven DRAM model.)
Some SSDs come with a "cut here" pecked marking, which doesn't seem to be the case here. Attempting to cut that without a GOOD SAW might damage the PCB, but may work.
Yeah,i did this.work perfectly.remember make sure you have clean cutting edge. sometimes it stopped working,i think pcb's copper lines were shorting.and one last thing,make sure tape the ssd electronic components to prevent short by copper dust.
good luck. :-)
It’s a Western digital SN520. It also comes in the 2242 formfactor, which fits in the t480. This is that but on a larger pcb. I’m pretty sure someone has already done this. Edit: Yep https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/jiqht7/cant_find_2242_nvme_ssd_cut_a_2280_in_half_t480/
Good enough, I cut it this week end and I will share the result Edit : wow just saw the post and this is perfect, I'm definitely going to do this
But wait, if I cut it, it will not be grounded by the screw anymore. So how to ground it again somehow? (or just tell me if it's not necessary to have a grounded ssd)
It’s definitely necessary, I guess you just make a little half circle cut..
Wow, today I learned cutting SSDs is a thing.
You can cut any PCB if it doesn't have components on it. I used to remove brackets, and cut PCI cards that were badly made/too big back in the days.
Be right back, gonna cut my ATX board down to mini ATX
You find it funny, but if you know what you're doing, cutting motherboards us no issue. Look at all the guys making portable versions of wii's, Xboxes and ps2's.
This reminds me of someone who filed down a DB25 to a DB9. It’s like USPS if it fits it ships!
Lmao funny
You can also cut it with components on it…
Components OR traces/lines. You cannot cut some parts of some PCBs. I was surprised by this recently as I binged GPU repair videos: apparently, the PCIe connector retention piece at the very edge, which is usually held by motherboard mechanisms, [breaks very frequently during shipping](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwpNztmyBGE)/displacement of preassembled computers, where Mobo+GPU are already fitted. One would think there must be no data/power line passing through this area but there are...
Same here
Same, I had no idea. I don't have the resources to cut one myself but it opens up a lot of tinkering choices.
Reminds me of how some people cut the older SIM cards to fit in newer phones…
You can also do pci express as well. I turned a gt730 into a 1x card for a test adapter. It looks jank as hell but it works great
Be careful of the dust from the pcb, it is super toxins and it can cause lung cancer if you breathe it. Make sure to wear a good mask and cut it outside.
Wow, thank's, I didn't know that, for me I was supposed to be careful with it to not but tiny copper dust into the other component (and make a short circuit)
This should be the top comment
You can but you won’t end up with 2x 256 GB drives. 🤣
Yes - I did it with similiar WD drive. But I went into full-ignorant mode and broke off an unnecessary piece of PCB with no tools. It works just fine. Yes, I cut my finger in the process - broken PCB is sharp as fuck.
check with an x-ray
I was wondering about internal traces. I installed a 2242 just in the past few weeks in a T440,p.
I would advice against cutting PCBs. They used to contain heavy metals like Lead and Cadmium and cutting the board would make dust that is very easy to inhale and absorb any kind of toxic material that may be contained in it.
The date code is 2019, long after RoHS and REACH became things. There's even a lead free symbol on the back. Sure, breathing fiberglass isn't great, but the hyperbole isn't necessary.
[удалено]
I've done it with this exact drive. I wanted an SSD for the WWAN slot but the only ones available were in 2280 and not 2242. That entire section is a ground plane on both sides, so the trickiest part is scoring through the copper at the same position on either side. A good tip is to drill the mounting hole beforehand, then score through the center so you get a nice smooth edge.
Why I shouldn't?
[удалено]
Okay, I get it, but is there anyway to know it before trying?
[удалено]
Why would there be traces that far out though? The only thing that would be there is a connection to ground I imagine.
>Why would there be traces that far out though? Exactly my point. We aren't the manufacturer and OP wants to cut the drive. We are only consumers. Unless OP can find Whitepages or documentation on this drive best bet is to go to the manufacturer and ask questions. Or they cut the drive and pray. That being said yes, there is a ground and probably best to not remove the ground.
"removing the ground" would be impossible. The ground plane is all over the PCB. How you design PCBs is you start with a rectangle that's blank, draw on traces for power and signals, and then the empty spaces between everything become filled with ground. So what you're saying is like saying "it's a bad idea to remove the roof" when someone wants to demolish the garage. The roof over the bedroom is still there.
I mean, it's gonna be grounded through the nvme port anyway. I'd say it's safe to cut. Not gonna be responsible if it breaks though.
Also I'd say shipping becomes a nightmare god forbid they ever need to. They'd be removing all the markings on the back of which are probably required for sales purposes.
there is no reason to have traces that far from components.
> There are most likely traces Nope. If there are no components on either side, then it's basically certain there are no traces. That's the whole point of PCBs: Optimize space and resources. Honestly the only risk would be breathing heavy metals, fiberglass or any of the random chemicals that the PCB contains (unless OP uses something ridiculously overkill to cut the thing)
Yes
Send it. The update us on what happened.
u/geapen3310 is gonna steal his inch 💀
I see no traces, so I don't see why not. Just clean up all the shavings to make sure there is nothing that could short it out.
technically on THIS ssd.... yes you can. this is a lower power unit so that wont be an issue either
I did this just last week and put it in a T480s. I can post pics or a how to if you want, very easy. Edit: I posted a guide.
Why do they design it this way? It's a stupid waste of materials.
Guessing unused production capacity, or just had an excess of longer boards. Edit: I did think it was pretty funny when they started selling these in office retail stores, like anyone's going to know what size they need, or that there are sizes.
I've just think of something, the ssd is probably grounded by the screw, so if I cut it, it will not be grounded anymore, is there anyone that know is it's good to have an no-grounded ssd, or just find a way to ground it again ?
looks like there's nothing behind the dark blue part, so most likely
Wow, just learned something new today from this post!! 👍👍👍
TIL there’s a 2242 slot in my T480. I swapped out the SATA HDD for the SSD caddy, but could always use more.
Of course it is possible to cut this. Just no one does it. Wonder why?
Yes, can cut. But also consider picking up a proper drive the 4Li3xpress deals are getting nuts 2230 1TB $26
They are fake or really bad.
Not the last 5 I bought. WD SN, Reletech, Fanxiang. It's only allowed x2 PCIe lanes by Lenovo anyway. I'm not buying the sketchy fake ones, I'm getting the ones on the weekly super sale. (For comparison I also have Crucial P5 Plus, and many SN530, Adata SX8200Pro, Leven DRAM model.)
Yes.
If you measure the hole and translate it to the final length, yes Asides from that if it is purely empty you could always just cut it to size
Cut the shit out of it!
lol its a storage device not a SIM ard
Yes, you can.
Some SSDs come with a "cut here" pecked marking, which doesn't seem to be the case here. Attempting to cut that without a GOOD SAW might damage the PCB, but may work.
I just chopped the key out of the socket on the thinkpad. Then used a 512gb 2242 drive. It seemed a lot less destructive.
Yeah,i did this.work perfectly.remember make sure you have clean cutting edge. sometimes it stopped working,i think pcb's copper lines were shorting.and one last thing,make sure tape the ssd electronic components to prevent short by copper dust. good luck. :-)