m.2 Drive Configuration

[daniel.t.johnson11]

So at work we updated one of the engineering CAD systems and there's a slight conflict in hardware compatibility.

i9 10900k

Gigabyte Z590 Elite

Quadro RTX 4000

Samsung 980 Pro nvme gen4.0x4

 

Is there a way to force the M2A slot to run at gen 3?

 

the 10900k doesn't support pcie gen 4 so it will not register the ssd in M2A slot (the slot that is directly to the cpu)

the M2B & M2P slots run at pcie gen3 and route through the chipset. thus currently the ssd is installed in M2B slot.

all of our important data is saved on the server so that is what dictates actual workflow speeds and the system still runs rather fast, but I would prefer the system to run optimally with the ssd in the M2A slot (direct to cpu)

 

 

 

[WhitetailAni]

The M.2A slot will not work if you have a 10th gen CPU installed, as only 11th gen CPUs have enough CPU PCIe lanes.

10th gen CPUs only have 16 lanes, so enough for the graphics card and no more. The rest have to go through the chipset.

11th gen CPUs have 20 lanes, so enough for the graphics card and an M.2 slot.

 

If you want to use that top M.2 slot, you will have to buy an 11th gen CPU.

[jaslion]

You plug it in and it will just run at 3.0. Pcie is backwards and forwards compatible and will just adjust it's link speed to what the device needs if possible. I highly doubt you'll see a difference in your work performance in slat A or B.

 

EDIT: @FakeKGB made a good point I read the z590 as z490. It is exactly as they state how the board works.

[daniel.t.johnson11]

okay so in theory, say I take the gpu out and put the ssd in M2A. the board should automatically run that slot at gen3 correct? 

this isn't what happened when I first assembled the system (was still waiting on gpu to come in). the drive wasnt found intitally with no gpu installed. I figured since the cpu has graphics I'd start installing windows and configuring everything. 

 

either way, i agree the performance difference in the current config vs optimal really wont be noticeable and is still really fast.

[Kilrah]

No, the M2A slot is wired straight to the CPU to make use of 11th gen's new 4 SSD-dedicated lanes, so it's just unconnected/unusable with a 10th gen CPU.

 

Pretty clearly laid out in the mobo specs:

 

Quote

CPU:

1. 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU)*
2. *Supported by 11th Generation processors only.

 

[daniel.t.johnson11]

AHHHH. Wow. Sorry that was missed. 

Thanks so much for the help.

[Nosha FPV]

Sorry for the late post to this thread. Can I use 2 nvme's using both M2M and M2P slots and also still being able to use a SATA ssd? I've read the manual and am still not clear on it.

[Kilrah]

Yep, only SATA1 gets disabled if the m.2 in M2P is SATA.