M.2 Question on Asus ROG Maximus IX Hero

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JamesHongKong

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Dec 2, 2013
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Hi everyone,

I'm going to ask a bit of a noob question here potentially.

I'm likely going to get this motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus IX Hero.

It has Dual M.2 Socket 3 Type M
1 x 2242~2280 (PCIe 3.0 x 4 + SATA)
1 x 2242~22110 (PCIe 3.0 x 4)

and

Multi-GPU SLI / CFX support
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 SafeSlots (CPU)
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot(PCH)
3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots(PCH)

I was therefore thinking about getting 2 compatible NVME M.2 drives (a 500GB and 1TB one). I also plan to have a GTX 1080 (or even 1080Ti).

3 questions:

1. Can I install my OS on the 500GB drive and separately install other programs (games etc) on the 1 TB?

2. M.2 drives use PCIe slots if I'm not mistaken (I don't quite understand this) - does this have an effect on the GPU performance? Am I using up too many PCIe slots?

3. Would these drives perform at NVME speeds:
Samsung 960 EVO Series - 500GB PCIe NVMe
Samsung 960 EVO Series - 1TB PCIe NVMe

I'm trying to get my head around these newer terms and would be grateful for any guidance.

Many thanks

James
 
Solution
Nordein
1. Yes you can install your OS on the smaller drive and have things installed on the bigger one. All you need to do is when you are installing them, is to select the proper drive for them to go too.

2. M.2 is the form factor. They can either connect using SATA or PCI-E. Luckily the ones you are getting arr PCI-E, so you will be fine. Yes you are using up available PCI-E lanes when using a PCI-E based storage device. You will have 16 total lanes for your CPU too use. Each SSD will take up 4 lanes, which leaves us with 8 left over for GPU. That is still enough headroom for the GTX 1080 so you will be fine.

3. Yes you will be getting NVME speeds.
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Nordein

Nordein

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Feb 12, 2014
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1. Yes you can install your OS on the smaller drive and have things installed on the bigger one. All you need to do is when you are installing them, is to select the proper drive for them to go too.

2. M.2 is the form factor. They can either connect using SATA or PCI-E. Luckily the ones you are getting arr PCI-E, so you will be fine. Yes you are using up available PCI-E lanes when using a PCI-E based storage device. You will have 16 total lanes for your CPU too use. Each SSD will take up 4 lanes, which leaves us with 8 left over for GPU. That is still enough headroom for the GTX 1080 so you will be fine.

3. Yes you will be getting NVME speeds.
 
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Solution
E

edstargames

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Apr 25, 2016
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1. Yes, it's very easy to do this, just select the correct drive when installing windows. When installing games, also make sure to select the other drive!

2. They do not use PCIe slots they use lanes (which are what the slots use - slots being the physical connection). The M.2 slots on your motherboard are dedicated for this task. You will never really use up your PCIe lanes unless you have a crap CPU (even an i3 or below could handle 2 M.2s and a GPU). There will be no effect on GPU performance whatsoever!

3. They are very respectable drives, I myself have the enterprise versions which are cheaper and faster (SM961) but do not come with any samsung software (not needed). But yes, good choices!

Good luck!
 
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JamesHongKong

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Dec 2, 2013
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Thanks guys, that's very reassuring and exciting to hear!

If I install them in the M.2 slots will the motherboard automatically assign them to NVME speeds/use or will I have to make some bios settings?

edstargames - I just had a quick look at your enterprise versions but couldn't see much of a price difference? I'll keep look though and thanks for the tip.

Not sure how to pick you both as solutions?

James


 
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Nordein

Nordein

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Feb 12, 2014
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The motherboard will detect them automatically for their NVME max speeds, you won't have too do anything at all. :)

And unfortunately no, you can only pick one as a solution. :\
 
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Nordein

Nordein

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Feb 12, 2014
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Not a problem at all, happy too help. :) Thank you for choosing me as a solution.

Thank you edstar, for your input as well.
 
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edstargames

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Apr 25, 2016
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No problem, they are cheaper over here in the UK!
 
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