Lenovo ThinkStation P5 Storage Configurator

Overview

The following document provides detailed guidance for users to add M.2 and SATA drives to optimally configure system storage options in the ThinkStation P5 platform. The ThinkStation P5 workstation offers both M.2 SSD support and support for traditional SATA HDDs. The P5 workstation provides two standard M.2 slots directly on the motherboard, as well as the ability to utilize an optional FLEX bay that can hold one externally accessible hot-swappable M.2 drive. There is also an optional quad M.2 PCIe Add-In Card (AIC). Two internal SATA bays are located at the bottom of the system, with an optional internal HDD kit to add one SATA drive to the top front section of the chassis.

Here is a high-level overview of the types of storage devices supported in the ThinkStation P5 platform:

Table 1 - General overview of support storage devices in the ThinkStation P5

Table 2 – Quantity and capacity by drive type

Section 1 – P5 Storage Summary

Table 3 shows a high-level summary of storage options available in the ThinkStation P5 platform.

Table 3 - Storage Summary

Figure 1 - Location of storage devices within the P5

The image displays the interior of a Lenovo ThinkStation P5 computer. Arrows indicate the following locations: 'Onboard M.2' points to two M.2 slots on the motherboard. 'SATA Drives 1 & 2' points to two drive bays at the bottom of the chassis. 'Location for FLEX Bay and 3rd SATA Drive (stacked)' points to an area above the SATA drives, indicating where a FLEX bay or a third SATA drive can be installed.

Section 2 – P5 M.2 SSD Drives

The Lenovo ThinkStation P5 platform supports various storage devices. Table 4 shows available features for M.2 SSD drives using the CPU-based controller, and Table 5 highlights compatibility and requirements for these drives.

Table 4 - Features for M.2 SSD drives on CPU-based controllers

¹ Gen 5 M.2 NVMe drives require a Lenovo 10W Gen 5 heatsink for maximum speeds. Gen 5 drives in an 8W carrier run at reduced speed. See Appendix for details.

² Multiple Quad AIC Adapters of varying Gen speeds are available. Only the Gen 5 adapter with Gen 5 drives will run at 10W each for maximum speeds.

³ While multiple M.2 dimensions can be installed, only 2280 drives are qualified by Lenovo.

⁴ A screwdriver is needed for initial M.2 drive installation into the FLEX bay carrier; insertion and removal of the carrier is then toolless.

⁵ See Figure 2 for the location of the storage drive activity light.

⁶ The Gen 3 Quad M.2 PCIe Card supports a maximum drive size of up to 2TB.

Figure 2 – Location of storage drive activity light

The image shows the front panel of a Lenovo ThinkStation P5. An arrow points to a circular light on the right side of the front panel, labeled as the 'storage drive activity light'.

Table 5 - Compatibility and parts requirements for M.2 SSD drives on CPU-based controller

¹ The original carrier and heatsink kit shipped with the P5 was the 8W M.2 heatsink type for Gen 4 drives. Currently, the kit type depends on the M.2 drive selected. A Gen 4 M.2 drive results in 8W carrier and heatsink kits, while a Gen 5 M.2 drive results in 10W carrier and heatsink kits.

² Refer to the P5 HMM for installation instructions of M.2 drives into Quad M.2 PCIe adapters.

8W and 10W M.2 Carrier and Heatsink Kits

The image displays three items: a 2280 M.2 drive, an 8W M.2 Heatsink, and a 10W M.2 Heatsink. The 10W heatsink carriers are designed to properly cool Gen 5 M.2 SSDs for maximum speed. They are backwards compatible and will also run Gen 4 M.2 SSDs without issues.

Onboard M.2 SSD drive installation shown with 8W carriers and heatsinks

1. Open the side cover on the P5 and remove any PCIe adapters that may interfere with accessing the onboard M.2 slots.
2. Push on the outside edge of the red locking mechanism to rotate it counterclockwise.
3. Slightly lift the carrier up to about a 15-degree angle and pull it straight out of the slot.
   Caution: Be careful not to raise the carrier up too far before pulling it out, as this risks breaking the M.2 slot.

Step 4: Lay the M.2 carrier flat on a desk and carefully separate the heatsink from the carrier by gently pushing two tabs on one side away from the heatsink.

Step 5: Remove the plastic insert, then remove the thermal pad plastic film from both sides.

Step 6: Insert the M.2 drive carefully into the M.2 bracket, aligning the notch in the end of the drive with the notch in the heatsink.

Step 7: The steps for installing an M.2 SSD into a 10W heatsink carrier are virtually identical to the 8W carrier, except for the retaining mechanism in the 10W carrier. Push gently on the back of the latch to install or remove the M.2 SSD from the carrier. Ensure any plastic liners on the thermal pads are removed before installing the M.2 SSD.

Step 8: Reinstall the heatsink on top of the M.2 drive within the carrier by inserting the feet on one side of the heatsink into the openings of two tabs on one side of the carrier. Then press down on the other side of the heatsink until the feet engage the tabs.

Step 9: Insert the M.2 bracket back into the onboard M.2 slot at a slight 15-degree angle.
Caution: Be careful not to use excessive force, as this risks breaking the M.2 slot.

Step 10: Gently lower the carrier and push on the edge of the red latch to rotate the latch clockwise and secure the M.2 carrier in the system.

10W Carriers and Heatsinks Installed in the System

The process for installing the 10W M.2 SSD carrier is similar to the 8W carrier. For the carrier to fit, the retaining bracket must be in the 10W position. If the bracket is in the 8W position, refer to the Lenovo ThinkStation PX/P8/P7/P5 PCIe Gen 5 Storage white paper at www.support.lenovo.com.

Installing The FLEX Bay M.2 Enclosure

The FLEX Bay enclosure is an optional kit that must be purchased separately if not ordered with the original system. See Appendix for additional information and images of parts.

1. Locate the area in the chassis where the FLEX bay kit will be installed.
2. If not already removed, remove the FLEX Bay bezel cover and metal insert. From inside the system, (1) lift the two tabs to release the bezel cover, then (2) push on the center post to pop the bezel cover out.

Step 3: Once the front cover is removed, the metal insert will be exposed on the front of the chassis.

Step 4: Remove the metal insert by fully inserting a large Philips head #2 screwdriver into the center “+” opening and slowly lifting the screwdriver out. It may be necessary to rock the tool up and down and side to side to free the cover. Do not use excessive force, and be careful of sharp edges on the new opening.

Step 5: Install the FLEX bay cable to the FLEX bay frame with the included screws.

Step 6: Locate the four mounting points and align the openings in the FLEX bay frame base over all points. Slide the frame forward towards the front of the chassis until it clicks into place.

Step 7: When installed properly, all four points should look like this.

Step 8: Plug the FLEX bay cable into the motherboard.

Step 9: Install the fan to the top of the FLEX bay frame by inserting the tabs on the fan into the notches on the top of the FLEX bay frame.

Step 10: Press gently on the extended tab on the other side of the fan. The fan will noticeably click into place.

Step 11: Locate the white FLEX_BAY_FAN power connector on the motherboard between the CPU and the FLEX bay, and plug in the white fan power plug.

Step 12: Before installing the FLEX bay into the front of the system, install the bezel adapter. The flat edge should be on the bottom. Insert the top of the bezel adapter into the bezel opening (1) and then push gently on the bottom of the bezel adapter until it clicks into place (2). If it does not easily click into place, remove the bezel adapter fully, reposition the top in the opening, and try again.

Step 13: Install the FLEX bay into the FLEX bay frame through the bezel. Push the bay until the retention tab locks the bay into place in the frame.

Step 14: To install the M.2 SSD into the FLEX Bay M.2 carrier, remove the screws from each side of the end of the carrier.

Step 15: Lift up on the lid on the end of the carrier slightly (1) and slide the lid out from under the tabs on the front of the carrier base (2).

Step 16: Peel back and remove the protective plastic film from the thermal pads on the lid and base.

Step 17: Remove the M.2 retention screw from the carrier base.

Step 18: Insert the M.2 SSD into the M.2 slot in the carrier base at a slight 15-degree angle (1). Gently lower the M.2 into place, aligning the round notch with the screw hole in the carrier base (2). Reinstall the screw to secure the M.2 drive.

Caution: Be careful not to use excessive force, as this risks breaking the M.2 slot or drive.

Step 19: Holding the lid at a slight angle, slide the lid under the tabs on the front of the carrier base (1) and lower the lid into place (2), aligning the holes on the lids with the screw holes on the base. Reinstall the screws to secure the carrier lid.

Step 20: Insert the M.2 carrier into the FLEX bay through the front opening. Push firmly until the front of the carrier is fully inserted into the FLEX bay and clicks into place.

Step 21: To remove the carrier, push the button on the side of the FLEX bay. The carrier will eject for removal.

Step 22: The FLEX bay includes 2 keys in a mountable key carrier. These keys can be used to lock the M.2 carrier into place once inserted.

Step 23: On the back of the system chassis, there are two locations to mount key carriers for side door keys and FLEX bay keys. If there is no lock for the side door, both locations are available and identical.

Step 24: On the bottom of the key carrier, locate the two mounting tabs. Note the open end with the center guide on each tab.

Step 25: Position the carrier to insert the open end of the tabs into the notches on one of the key carrier mount locations. Align the center guides on the carrier with the openings in the center of the notches.

Step 26: Slide the carrier into the notches until the catch on the end of the carrier locks into place. If it does not slide easily, apply pressure on the carrier directly over each tab.

Section 3 – P5 SATA Drives

The Lenovo ThinkStation P5 platform supports up to three (3) SATA drives. Table 6 shows available features for SATA drives using the chipset-based controller, and Table 7 highlights compatibility and requirements for these drives.

Table 6 - Features for SATA drives on Chipset-based controller

¹ Drive trays for internal bays can convert to hold 2.5” drives without additional parts. However, only 3.5” drives have been certified by Lenovo on the P5.

² The Optional 3rd SATA drive bay kit requires a screwdriver for initial installation. Access and use of the drive after installation is toolless.

³ See Figure 3 for the location of the storage drive activity light.

Figure 3 - Location of storage drive activity light

The image shows the front panel of a Lenovo ThinkStation P5. An arrow points to a circular light on the right side of the front panel, labeled as the 'storage drive activity light'.

Table 7 - Compatibility and parts requirements for SATA drives on Chipset-based controller

Installing 3.5” SATA Drives in the Internal Bays

All ThinkStation P5 models include two internal SATA drive bays standard, located at the bottom of the system between the PSU and the front of the chassis. The side cover must be removed to access these bays. See Figure 1 in Section 1 for reference. When adding SATA drives to a system with a 1000W PSU where no SATA drives were previously installed, a Front HDD Bay Fan Kit is necessary. Systems with a 750W PSU have this fan kit by default.

1. Pinch the arrowed tabs and pull the drive tray out of the system.
2. Insert the drive, bottom down, into the tray with the signal and power connections on the same end as the arrowed tabs. Angle the side of the drive down into the tray and line up the holes on the side of the drive with the posts on the inside of the tray, then insert the posts.
3. Gently twist the open side of the tray downward until the posts on the tray clear the side of the drive and insert the posts into the holes on the side of the drive.
4. Insert the tray into the internal bay, bottom up, by lining up the guide on the tray with the tracks in the bay.
5. Push down on the tray until the tabs on the tray are fully inserted and catch into the notches in the bay tracks.

Step 6: If a second SATA drive is to be installed, repeat the steps above for the second drive in the internal bay. An additional SATA signal cable is needed and must be plugged into the open SATA 2 port on the motherboard. The SATA 1 port is always populated with a SATA cable, even if no drive is present. See Appendix for additional parts information.

Step 7: Plug the SATA power and signal cables into both drives.

Step 8: If the fan and fan holder were not a set, insert the fan into the fan holder with the label facing inside. When installed correctly, the center of the fan should have no visible label (1). Rotate the fan assembly as needed so the power cable can be inserted into the power cable slot on the fan holder (2).

Step 9: The fan inserts into four rubber posts in each corner. Pull on each post to stretch it (1) until the fan base rests in the notch (2) at the base of each rubber post.

Step 10: To install the Front HDD Bay Fan Kit, locate the upper notch (1) and lower notch (2) in the front wall of the chassis near the internal SATA bays.

Step 11: Identify the tab on the top of the fan holder (1) and the other tab on the bottom of the fan holder (2).

Step 12: Lower the fan assembly into the chassis and insert the tab on the bottom of the fan holder into the lower notch on the front wall of the chassis.

Step 13: When the lower tab is properly inserted into the lower notch, the tab on the top of the fan holder will easily insert into the upper notch on the front chassis wall.

Step 14: Locate the brown HDD_FAN power connector on the motherboard between the SATA 1 port and the FRONT_FAN connector, and plug in the fan.

Installing the 3rd SATA Drive Bay Kit

The P5 provides the ability to install an additional drive bay for a 3rd SATA drive. This bay is installed in the same area as the FLEX bay and requires the FLEX bay frame and fan for installation. See Appendix for additional parts information.

1. Locate the area in the chassis where the FLEX bay kit will be installed.
2. Install the fan to the top of the FLEX bay frame by inserting the tabs on the fan into the notches on the top of the FLEX bay frame.
3. Press gently on the extended tab on the other side of the fan. The fan will noticeably click into place.
4. Locate the white FLEX_BAY_FAN power connector on the motherboard between the CPU and the FLEX bay, and plug in the fan.

Step 5: Install the 3rd Drive bay mount next to the FLEX bay base. Locate the offset mount holes (1) next to the FLEX bay base and the mounting point (2) on the front of the chassis wall.

Step 6: Align the bumps on the bottom of the 3rd Drive bay mount with the offset mount holes (1) and ensure that the notch on the mount rests in the mounting point on the front of the chassis wall (2).

Step 7: When the drive mount is seated properly, install the two screws into the mount base, on either side of the indents, securing it to the chassis.

Step 8: Remove the drive carrier from the 3rd Drive Bay tray by pulling in on the red handle and lifting the tray up out of the tray.

Step 9: Identify the tabs on the side and end of the tray. Identify the matching notches in the wall of the top of the chassis and the side of the chassis.

Step 10: Holding the tray with the red handle end up at a slight angle, fully insert the tabs into the top wall of the chassis.

Step 11: When the tray is inserted properly, the other end will easily lower down onto the top of the 3rd Drive bay mount. Ensure the side tabs insert into the notches on the front wall of the chassis. The tray should lower easily to the top of the mount. Push slightly on the red handle on the end of the drive tray, and the tray will click into place.

Step 12: Set the drive carrier on a flat surface, upside down, as seen in the image. Note the position of the red handle.

Step 13: Align the drive, upside down, so that the signal and power plugs are on the end of the carrier, as seen in the image.

Step 14: Line up the holes on the side of the drive with the posts on the inside of the carrier and insert the posts into the holes.

Step 15: Gently bend the open side of the carrier outward until the posts on the carrier clear the side of the drive and insert the posts into the holes on the side of the drive.

Step 16: Align the tabs on the side of the drive carrier with the notches on the inside of the tray and insert the tabs. Lower the carrier side with the red handle down into the tray and press on the red handle until it clicks into place.

Step 17: Locate the SATA 3 signal (1) and MISC_PWR2 power (2) ports on the motherboard, between the CPU and the 3rd Drive Bay, and plug in the SATA signal cable and SATA 1-drop power cable into the motherboard.

Step 18: Plug the SATA signal and power plugs into the drive.

Section 4 – Appendix

The ThinkStation P5 platform includes new mechanical parts for different storage device options. The following are pictures representing some of these parts.

Part

Picture

Onboard Gen 4 M.2 8W Heatsink
Gen 4 M.2 SSD Carrier + Heatsink. Two of these are included with a system when at least one Gen 4 drive is ordered.
FRU PN: 5M11H28470

Onboard Gen 5 M.2 10W Heatsink
Gen 5 M.2 SSD Carrier + Heatsink. Two of these are included with a system when at least 1 Gen 5 drive is ordered.
PN: 4XH1S76260

FLEX Bay Parts

FLEX Bay Frame
FRU: 5M11H28588

FLEX Bay Tray
FRU: 5C51H31595

FLEX Bay Bezel Adapter
FRU: 5M11H28587

FLEX Bay Carrier
FRU: 5M11C16902

FLEX Bay Cable 105mm
FRU: 5C10U58624

FLEX Bay Fan
FRU: 5M11C16911

FLEX Bay Tray Keys and Key Carrier
(Included with FLEX Bay Tray)

Quad M.2 Gen 3 Add-In-Card
PN: 4XH0V09766

Quad M.2 Gen 4 Add-In-Card
PN: 4XH1Q94605

Quad M.2 Gen 5 Add-In-Card
PN: 4XH1S82999

Internal SATA Bay Parts

SATA Drive Tray
(Two included with system)

SATA Signal Cable Straight to Angle, 250MM
FRU: 5C10U58479

Front HDD Bay Fan Parts

Storage Bay Fan
FRU: 5F10U94085

Storage Bay Fan Holder
FRU: 5M11H28595

3rd HDD Bay Parts

FLEX Bay Frame
FRU: 5M11H28588

FLEX Bay Fan
FRU: 5M11C16911

3rd Drive Bay Mount
FRU: 5M11H28591

3rd Drive Tray with Carrier
FRU: 5M11H28590

SATA Signal Cable Straight to Angle, 350MM
FRU: 5C10U58385

SATA 1-Drop Power Cable, 300mm
FRU: 5C10U58388

Revision History