Motherboard channels M.2 slot query

[Kyo]

Hi

I am going to get a new motherboard, Gigabyte z370 Auros Gaming K3. Was thinking to get a m.2 ssd as well. Someone told me I had to be careful because if I install the m.2 it could use up lanes for the PCIe Slots? I don't really follow, can someone please explain?

I was aiming to use

1x PCI-E 3.0 x16 @ x16. - 1080 gfx card
1x PCI-E 3.0 x16 @ x4 - Soundblaster z card

Won't be using raid or anything but will connect

3 x Sata drives 1tb, 2tb and 3tb.
1 x Sata Ssd (which will use a sata slot.).

So as I understand it depending what m.2 slot I use ( there are 2) it will affect the PCIe slots because it shares the same lanes? Is this correct? Is my other option to move the soundblaster to 1 of the 4 x PCI-E 3.0 x1 @ x1 instead?

Thanks in advance
Kyo

 

[Kyo]

Right after some reading up I didn't know m.2 has 2 types and one I can afford is a m2 Sata ssd. So for anyone interested according to the manual.

Installation Notices for the M.2 and SATA Connectors:
Due to the limited number of lanes provided by the Chipset, the availability of the SATA connectors may be affected by the type of device installed in the M2P_32G connector. The M2P_32G connector shares bandwidth with the SATA3 0 connector.

That means I have to use M2P_32G connector only as the other m.2 slot M2Q_32G support pcie only. That means I can't use sata slot 0 for any of my hard disks. Phew got there in the end. Least I know more about it.

 

[pandem0nium]

Right after some reading up I didn't know m.2 has 2 types and one I can afford is a m2 Sata ssd. So for anyone interested according to the manual.



That means I have to use M2P_32G connector only as the other m.2 slot M2Q_32G support pcie only. That means I can't use sata slot 0 for any of my hard disks. Phew got there in the end. Least I know more about it.

You'll want a nvme drive really. With the sata M.2 drives theres no difference in speed compared to a standard 2.5" sata ssd.

 

[eddiew]

You'll want a nvme drive really. With the sata M.2 drives theres no difference in speed compared to a standard 2.5" sata ssd.

This. The SATA m.2 drives run at the speed of a sata drive. I mean they're small and convenient and if you want to lose some flappy bits in your case or don't have an SSD, then go for it - but if you do already have an SSD then it's not an upgrade.

 

[Kyo]

You'll want a nvme drive really. With the sata M.2 drives theres no difference in speed compared to a standard 2.5" sata ssd.

To take advantage of a faster speed do i need something like a m.2 nvme PCIE Ssd riser card or is it purely down to type of m.2 I buy rather than the interface?

This. The SATA m.2 drives run at the speed of a sata drive. I mean they're small and convenient and if you want to lose some flappy bits in your case or don't have an SSD, then go for it - but if you do already have an SSD then it's not an upgrade.

I only have 1ssd that holds os so anything additional for prog and games will be an upgrade.

Thanks for you replies guys.

 

[Meaker]

z370 has enough internal lanes that using two PCI-E drives will not hit the number of SATA ports (3 would if the board has ports to fit them). It's just if you put a SATA one in it pinches port 0 data line as there are only so many SATA channels.

NVME = PCI express = faster speed = supported by your M.2 slots. You don't need a riser card. It just depends on the kind of M.2 drive you are buying.

To be fair most users can use a SATA drive and not notice the difference.

 

[eddiew]

To take advantage of a faster speed do i need something like a m.2 nvme PCIE Ssd riser card?

You need a proper PCI-E x4 m.2 drive and an appropriate slot (i.e. one that is not for sata drives).

I don't know why we have 2 electrical formats sharing the same physical slot. It's very silly

 

[Kyo]

z370 has enough internal lanes that using two PCI-E drives will not hit the number of SATA ports (3 would if the board has ports to fit them). It's just if you put a SATA one in it pinches port 0 data line as there are only so many SATA channels.

NVME = PCI express = faster speed = supported by your M.2 slots. You don't need a riser card. It just depends on the kind of M.2 drive you are buying.

To be fair most users can use a SATA drive and not notice the difference.

You need a proper PCI-E x4 m.2 drive and an appropriate slot (i.e. one that is not for sata drives).

I don't know why we have 2 electrical formats sharing the same physical slot. It's very silly

Thanks for clarifying guys, I kind of figured the riser card after I posted as the m.2 ssd are new to me. Your right Eddiew that's what confusing and I can see a lot of customers who aren't into PC's will be stomped without reading up.

 

[eddiew]

Thanks for clarifying guys, I kind of figured the riser card after I posted as the m.2 ssd are new to me. Your right Eddiew that's what confusing and I can see a lot of customers who aren't into PC's will be stomped without reading up.

It's terrible, tbh. Some slots can take either type, but a sata drive will never be as fast as an nvme/pci-e drive no matter what you do. The only reason to go m.2 sata is because it's small and convenient and the slot is sata-only.

 

[chaparral]

The only reason to go m.2 sata is because it's small and convenient and the slot is sata-only.

Also it can be far far cheaper

2TB M2 SDD £419
2TB M2 NVMe £750

 

[lltfdaniel]

Also it can be far far cheaper

2TB M2 SDD £419
2TB M2 NVMe £750

I believe the 2tb m2 ssd for £419 is this below.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x WD Blue 3D NAND 2TB M.2 2280 6Gbps Solid State Drive (WDS200T2B0B)= £419.99

Total: £428.69 (includes shipping: £8.70)


Correct me if i am wrong.​

 

[Kyo]

Going to get a m.2 128gb pcie nvme for OS and ta regular SSD 500gb for game installs. Thanks for the advice and clarification. Appreciate it.