Can I use an M.2 SSD and a WD Black Hard Drive at the same time?

[KhaosKutsune]

SO I'm planning on building a PC, and I wanted to know if it was possible to use an M.2 SSD and a normal Hard Drive.

 

I ask because when I use PCpartspicker I get a compatibility notification that the M.2 drive will disable my SATA ports, is there any way to use both> or should I just use a regular SSD?\

 

PCpartspicker list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/KhaosKyuubi/saved/MmqMnQ

[riawoias]

You should be able to easily have one HDD and one m.2 SSD even if some SATA ports are disabled for some reason.

 

http://ca.msi.com/support/mb/Z170A-GAMING-M7.html#down-manual

 

Refer to page 35. It seems like it should be ok for 1 SATA HDD and 1 M.2 SSD.

 

I think with one PCIe SSD you will have all 6 SATA ports available with the SATA express functionality still intact (not that anything uses that).

 

Also the manual seems to indicate the M.2 slot labeled M.2_2 (closest to the cpu-socket) should be the first populated port as the M.2_1 port shares PCI_E4 (1x slot) and some sata ports.

[Glenwing]

An M.2 drive may disable one SATA port, but not all of them.

[Captain_WD]

~snip~

 

Hey there KhaosKutsune and welcome to the community Do follow your own topics so you get notifications whenever someone replies or needs more information in order to help you.

 

Some motherboards disable certain SATA ports because they are replacing them with the M.2 port for the SATA controller. You should still be able to use the ports that are not disabled with no issues. If you have trouble doing that feel free to contact the manufacturer of the motherboard for some assistance. 

 

Feel free to ask if you happen to have other questions

 

Captain_WD.