How to connect a 3way m.2 RAID0 SSD Array

Wizerbwski

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Hello TH,

I have a few questions about M.2 SSD drives, using the latest SM950 Pro 512GB as an example.

Understanding that x1 m.2 drive uses x4 lanes @ PCIE 3.0, does this mean x2 drives in RAID0 use x8 lanes? and 3 drives uses x12 lanes? silly question to some i suspect...

I want to create a new bootable array of x3 SM950 pro's in RAID 0, I know this is possible as have read some reviews but thier MB's have x3 M.2 slot already built in.

My setup:

Board: RAMPAGE V EXTREME
CPU: i7 5960X (40 lane CPU)

The board has x1 built in M.2 drive that runs at x4 and is shared between another port.

Port layout and whats in them:

PORT 1 - PCIE3 X16 (GPU PRESENT)
PORT 2 - PCIE3 X 8_2 (EMPTY)
PORT 3 - PCIE2 X4_1 (EMPTY)
PORT 4 - PCIE3 X16 (GPU PRESENT)
PORT 5 - PCIE2 X 1_1 (EMPTY)
PORT6 - PCIE3 X 8_4 (EMPTY / SHARED WITH M.2 SLOT)

Caveat: The PCIE3 X8_4 slot shares bandwith with M.2 X4. When PCIE X8_4 is occupied with an X8 device the M.2 will be disabled.
However When the PCIE 8_4 slot has a x4 device connected, the M.2 remains active at x4 also.

Is there a way to connect x3 SM950 Pro's in RAID0 on this board whilst not affecting GPU lanes?

Having only x1 M.2 slot, is it possible to use a PCIE3 M.2 expander card?

Any help appreciated.







 
Solution
Well I stand corrected lol it more than likely also depends on the board.

Do you have the M.2 SSD's already or planning on buying them?

Also Have you done a Benchmark on your M.2 drive? see if you are getting the number you need? because honestly RAIDing 0 those two SSD's, at least on paper, shouldn't have a huge impact on load times since that those speeds of even one of them Windows should load in a mater of 3-4 seconds. that is on paper at least.
You have only one M.2 Slot. So in order to what what you need to do you would have to either

1) find a RAID card that is designed just for M.2 and put them all on there and RAID them
2) use the one slot and then get an adapter card to put the other M.2 cards in the PCIe slots and then do a software RAID 0 in which you WON"T be able to boot from it.
3) Just use the one M.2.

So I must ask. Why RAID 0 3 950s????
 

Wizerbwski

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Thanks for clarifying that, if reduce to X2 950 pro's , one in the m.2 and the other in a PCIE adapter card, will I be able to boot from that?
I currently have a sm951 in the m.2 and to be honest, my boot times are slower than a friend with X2 850's in raid... so, I just wanted to try it out, plus I've also just got rid of some old squeaky hdd's and my storage is low... X2 512gb 950's will give me that breathing space again.
 
Hmmm you should be much faster than him.

But sorry unless you were to get a RAID adapter that goes into a PCIe Slots that the two M.2's can mount in and as long as your PC and boot form a PCIe slot then you can't do it. Unless you had multiple M.2 slots and support for RAID there is no way to RAID these and have it bootable unless it was a Software RAID 1.
 

Wizerbwski

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OK, so even with a few bios tweaks you're saying I won't be able to boot from a 2 drive raid setup with drive one in a pice -m.2 adaptor and drive two in the m.2 slot? (I think I can definitely kiss a 3 drive array goodbye at this point)

Just found this thread:
http://rog.asus.com/447422015/labels/guides/guide-install-m-2-pcie-ssds-in-raid-0-for-speed/

I'm open to any help! :)
 
Well I stand corrected lol it more than likely also depends on the board.

Do you have the M.2 SSD's already or planning on buying them?

Also Have you done a Benchmark on your M.2 drive? see if you are getting the number you need? because honestly RAIDing 0 those two SSD's, at least on paper, shouldn't have a huge impact on load times since that those speeds of even one of them Windows should load in a mater of 3-4 seconds. that is on paper at least.
 
Solution