CORSAIR ONE: How to Replace the SSD in your Corsair One
This guide is for replacing an M.2 SSD that is mounted to the rear of the Corsair One's motherboard. It does not guarantee that there is an M.2 on the back of the motherboard, as not all Corsair One systems have an M.2 on the back of the board.
Before You Begin
For this process you will need the following:
- PH2 Phillips Screwdriver
- PH1 Phillips Screwdriver (Most multi-tool screwdriver repair kits will have the appropriate bits or drivers.)
- Side Snips, Wire Cutters, or Scissors (For cutting preinstalled zip ties)
- Thermal Paste
- Tweezers (Some places are hard to reach by hand)
- Zip Ties
- Table or solid surface to work on. (Carpet is not recommended)
While opening your system will not void the Corsair Limited Warranty, any damage caused by the user will not be covered under the warranty. Please use the correct tools for the task and work on a stable surface with room to place components as you work.
Tips and Best Practices
As you reach each step of the repair process, it is highly recommended that you take a picture similar to the ones provided. As you remove screws, you can also place them in a tray or bag labeled for the step they are removed in. This can ensure that you have references to each step for your exact system and will help you remember where the screws go when reassembling the system.
There may be zip ties to remove when opening the system for this repair, but some systems will not have zip ties to remove. The system used for this guide did not have zip ties to remove. When reassembling the system, you can choose to reinstall any zip ties you had to remove, but this is not required.
Step 4 is highly recommended, but not required. This is removing the GPU AIO Block from the graphics card, cleaning the current thermal paste off of it, reapplying new thermal paste, and reseating the AIO block. This will help keep your system's cooling at its best performance.
How to access the SSD
Step 1: Prep your workspace and System.
It is highly recommended to not do any of this work on carpets, rugs, or glass desks. Large mouse pads on a desk, or on a wooden desk are preferred. Ensure all antenna, USB dongles, and connectors are removed.
Step 2: Remove the top grill.
The top grill will rise up slightly once pressed enough. Once the top grill has been released, you will lift up the grill.
There is a fan cable coming from the top grill that needs to be unplugged before fully removing the top grill.
Step 3: Remove the side panel
Note that there is a radiator attached to the side panel, so be careful.
Once the top grill is removed it will reveal 4 screws. Remove the two screws indicated. Once the screws are removed grab onto the top of the side panel and pull up gently. The side panel will come off.
The hoses of the radiator will allow the side panel to lay down enough to remove the cooler from the graphics card. Removing the cooler from the card is not strictly required, but will make the following steps more manageable. Make sure to have thermal paste ready before you remove the cooler.
Step 4: Remove the GPU AIO Cooler (optional)
There are two cables coming from the GPU AIO. These will need to be removed if you choose to remove the GPU AIO from the system.
The GPU AIO Cooler is held on by 4 screws. Remove these in rotation, partially unscrewing each screw partially before going to the next.
Step 5: Remove the GPU
Remove the four indicated screws that mount the GPU to the bottom of the case. The screw on the bottom-left that is marked in red is indicating the screw holding the mount to the case. This is not indicating to the thumb screw holding the card into the PCIe bracket.
Next, remove the two indicated screws from the top that hold the GPU in.
Once these screws are removed, remove the card from the PCIe riser cable as seen below.
Once the card is free of the PCIe riser, shift the card to the right and unplug the PCIe power connectors.
Now the card can be rotated similarly to the side panel. There are several display cables connected which is why the PCIE Bracket must be removed with the card. One of these cables may run to the front of the case. This is why removing the GPU AIO Cooler is preferred.
If you removed the cooler, these display cables can stay connected, but ensure they are not pulled on as this can damage the graphics card or the cables themselves.
Step 6: Access the M.2
With the graphics card removed, you will be able to finally see the M.2 port on the back of the motherboard. Some boards may have the slot positioned where it can be reached, while others will need the PCIe Riser cable removed to reach the screw or even the drive in the M.2 Slot.
Remove the two indicated screws to reach the M.2 mounting screw and access the M.2 Port.
With the PCIe Riser removed, we can access the SSD mounting screw indicated below. Remove this and replace the drive.
Notes for System Reassembly
And, you're done! Congratulations, you've replaced the SSD in your Corsair One. The process from here will be each step in reverse. Refer to the Tips and Best Practices at the top of the guide for simplifying the reassembly.
If you removed the GPU AIO Cooler in Step 4....
A cross pattern is most recommended to prevent damage to the GPU. When reinstalling the cooler you will want to clean away any thermal paste and apply new before installing.
Replace each screw in rotation and turn a few turns before moving to the screw diagonally across the Pump Housing. Repeat this till all 4 screws are tight.
You do not need to apply much torque to fully tighten these screws. Stop once they will no longer turn with your fingers on the screwdriver.