an odd idea

[csblizzard93]

So my first time posting, i got my first pi and was wondering if there is a way i can deconstruct a high-ish capacity flash drive and convert it into on-board memory for my zero w?

[BMS Doug]

So my first time posting, i got my first pi and was wondering if there is a way i can deconstruct a high-ish capacity flash drive and convert it into on-board memory for my zero w?

No.

You can however leave the flash drive intact and attach it to the Pi0W by USB.
If your flash drive offers other connection methods you could use some GPIO pins to communicate with it.
It won't ever be on board memory.

[W. H. Heydt]

The main memory of a Pi0 is a "package on package" (PoP) DRAM chip.

In *theory* you could remove the DRAM PoP and replace it. There are several problems with this. The first is that you'd need specialized rework equipment and the detailed knowledge to use it. The second is that you'd have to find a way to buy a replacement package. The third is that the SoC--BCM2835--can only address 512MB so even if you could find a larger PoP that is the right size and has the right pin out for the BCM2835, the VC4 can't address the additional memory, so it might as well not be there.

Beyond all that, SSD flash memory isn't even the right *kind* of memory to use for this purpose. It's far to slow too be effective as main memory even if you could access and drive it.

There is an example floating around of someone who took a CM3, removed the 4GB eMMC flash memory, and replaced it with a 16GB eMMC flash module. That is using the same general sort of memory that an SSD has, but it is *not* the main memory on the CM3 board.

Still...you get points for thinking "outside the box" and welcome to the forums.

[Ronaldlees]

So my first time posting, i got my first pi and was wondering if there is a way i can deconstruct a high-ish capacity flash drive and convert it into on-board memory for my zero w?

Welcome csblizzard! Well, many good ideas seem odd when they're first posited, then are seen as genius. Alas, this is not one of those. The first thing that comes to mind is the awful de-soldering job, since the NAND will be sitting behind the little ARM processor that services it (and the USB) - so no direct access of any sort. Sometimes it's all in one chip, so no way to access except USB. Better let this odd idea out of the suggestion box this time around.

But Welcome!