A standard desktop computer generally can have anywhere from one to several hard drives, depending on the motherboard and case configuration. Some high-end gaming desktops or workstations may even support up to eight or more hard drives. Therefore, checking the motherboard and computer specs is more convenient for determining how many hard drives can a PC have.

For your information, the number of hard drives that a PC can have depends on a few factors, such as the motherboard type and the computer case size. Motherboards typically have multiple SATA ports, allowing for connecting multiple hard drives. Additionally, some motherboards have an M.2 slot that allows for installing a solid-state drive.

Checking Number of Hard Drives your PC Can Have

Determining how many hard drives your PC can have requires checking the specifications of your motherboard and computer case. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Determine the model of your motherboard.

  • You can typically find the model number of your motherboard by checking the documentation that came with your computer or by looking for the model number printed on the motherboard itself.

Step 2: Check the specifications of your motherboard.

  • Visit the manufacturer’s website and look up the specifications of your motherboard.

  • Look for the number of SATA ports listed in the specifications. This will tell you how many hard drives your motherboard can support.

Note: Each SATA port can support one hard drive

Step 3: Determine the number of drive bays in your computer case.

  • Check the documentation that came with your computer case or look for the specifications of your case online.

  • Look for the number of drive bays listed in the specifications. This will tell you how many hard drives your case can physically hold.

Step 4: Consider the type of hard drive you want to install.

  • Keep in mind that some types of hard drives, such as 3.5-inch desktop hard drives or 2.5-inch laptop hard drives, may require different types of drive bays or mounting brackets.

Factors Affecting Number of Hard Drives on a PC

The number of hard drives a PC can have is affected by several factors, including the motherboard and computer case. Here’s a closer look at how these factors can impact the number of hard drives a PC can support:

Motherboard

The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all of the components in a PC. It also has a significant role in determining how many hard drives a PC can have. Specifically, the number of SATA ports on the motherboard can limit the number of hard drives that can be connected.

SATA (Serial ATA) is the standard interface used to connect hard drives to a motherboard. Most modern motherboards have at least two SATA ports, which means they can support up to two hard drives. However, high-end motherboards can have up to eight SATA ports, allowing for connecting up to eight hard drives.

Computer Case

The size and design of the computer case can also limit the number of hard drives that can be installed. Small form factor cases, such as those used for compact desktops or home theatre PCs, may only have room for a single hard drive or no hard drives at all.

Larger cases like those used for gaming desktops or workstations may have room for multiple hard drives. The number of drive bays, which are the slots where hard drives are installed, can also vary depending on the case. Some cases may have only one or two drive bays, while others may have up to six or more. 

The type of hard drive bays can also impact the number of hard drives that can be installed. Some cases may only support 2.5-inch laptop hard drives, while others may support both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch desktop hard drives.

Power Supply Unit

The power supply unit (PSU) is an important component of a PC that provides power to all of the components inside the case. The PSU can also play a role in determining how many hard drives a PC can have.

The number of hard drives that a PSU can support depends on its wattage and the number of available power connectors. Hard drives typically require 5V and 12V power connectors, and the number of these connectors varies depending on the PSU.

For example, a low-wattage PSU may only have one or two 5V and 12V power connectors, which means it can only support a small number of hard drives. On the other hand, a higher-wattage PSU may have more power connectors and can support more hard drives.

The type of hard drive can also affect how much power is required. For example, solid-state drives (SSDs) generally require less power than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs).

How to Install a Hard Drive on a PC?

Step 1: Disconnect the computer from the power supply

  1. Turn off your computer and disconnect it from the power supply. This is an essential safety measure.

  2. Determine where you want to mount your new hard drive. If your PC is a desktop, you may have enough storage space and only need to attach the bracket that holds your hard drive. You may need to sacrifice your DVD drive for your new hard drive if you use a laptop.

  3. Locate the hard drive you want to disconnect. In most desktop PCs, the hard drive is located in the front of the case, and in laptops, it may be located under the keyboard or on the bottom of the case.

  4. Open the case of your desktop PC by unscrewing the rear case. For laptops, consult your user manual for instructions on accessing the hard drive.

  5. Disconnect the drive cable from the hard drive. Most hard drives have two cable connectors - data and power. The data cable typically has a ribbon cable and a wide tip, while the power cable has red, yellow, and black wires connected to a white tip.

  6. Gently pull the drive out of the bay. In a desktop PC, you may need to unscrew or unclip the bracket that holds the drive in place.

Step 2: Remove the DVD drive

  1. Locate the drive that you want to replace and unscrew it or slide it out (depending on the manufacturer). If you are using a desktop, you may not need to remove the DVD drive.

  2. Install the new hard drive mounting bracket and secure it with screws. This is typically a metal or plastic bracket holding the hard drive.

  3. Slide the new hard drive into the internal holder and secure it with screws. Make sure it’s positioned correctly and that the screws are tight.

  4. Loosen the cover of your computer case and reconnect the power supply. Make sure all cables are connected securely.

  5. Turn on your computer and follow the instructions to configure your new hard drive. You may need to format the hard drive or install operating system files.

Step 3: Set up the BIOS

  1. Start your computer and enter the BIOS by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Del) when the manufacturer’s logo appears on the screen.

  2. Look for a “Setup” or “Hardware” tab and select it using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

  3. Scroll through the list of hardware connected to the motherboard and locate the new hard drive. If you can’t find it, ensure it is properly connected to the motherboard and that the “Autodetect” option is enabled.

  4. Select the booting sequence order. This determines which device the computer will use to boot up first. You’ll want to ensure the new hard drive is selected as the primary boot device.

  5. Save the setup and exit the BIOS. This will prompt your computer to restart automatically.

  6. Once your computer has restarted, ensure your new hard drive is recognized and working correctly.

Step 4: Format the hard drive

  1. Open File Explorer or My Computer on your computer and locate the new hard drive.

  2. Right-click on the hard drive and select “Format” from the drop-down menu.

  3. Choose the desired file system for the hard drive. If you plan to use Windows system files on the new drive, select “NTFS”. If you only want to store data, you can choose “exFAT” or “FAT32”.

  4. Choose a volume label for the new hard drive. This label will help you identify the hard drive in the future.

  5. Check the “Quick Format” option to speed up the formatting process.

  6. Click “Start” to begin formatting the hard drive.

  7. Wait for the formatting process to complete. This can take several minutes, depending on the size of the hard drive.

  8. Once the formatting process is complete, your new hard drive is ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Hard Drives Can I Have On My PC?

Your PC can actually use multiple hard drives, but the extent to which you can increase the number of hard drives on your PC depends on your motherboard. 

This allows more hard drives to be installed on your computer. You will find them in laptop and desktop computers, gaming consoles, servers, and whatnot.

Why to Add Another Hard Drive to Your Computer?

There is another option that combines the best of the above two. Permanently adding another hard drive to your computer will result in another internal hard drive.

This means that you don’t have to transfer files from your old hard drive to your new hard drive, and you don’t risk losing your new hard drive.

Abdullah Sarfraz
Abdullah Sarfraz
Myself Abdullah Sarfraz and I am an SEO. My hobby is reviewing the latest tech-related products. For the past few years, I am working on amazon affiliated sites therefore, I came to know my interest and chose this field, now I have good experience in it.