Question ASRock B660M Steel Legend - worse mobo layout, ever?

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813162047?Item=N82E16813162047&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=promo&utm_campaign=EMC-Automation052523USA_1_CLUSTERING_N_LandingPage-_-EMC-052523-Index-_-Intel%20Motherboards-_-N82E16813162047&ignorebbr=1&cm_mmc=EMC-Automation052523USA_1_CLUSTERING_N_LandingPage-_-EMC-052523-Index-_-Intel%20Motherboards-_-N82E16813162047&ignorebbr=1&cvtc=LandingPage

Look at that m.2 slot placement in the lower right quadrant, esp. in relation to the mobo mounting hole location.

It appears, that for this particular board, that you must mount the mobo to the chassis, BEFoRE you screw down the m.2. Such is fraught with problems, methink.

 

[Tech Junky]

Most put the drive under the heat sink below the first x16 because its the fastest M2 socket.

 

[VirtualLarry]

But I'm saying that my normal workflow for system integration is to load up the mobo with all of it's goodies, before mounting it to the chassis, plugging in the mobo wires, installing the PSU, and then installing the GPU (if any).

Some of us load up all of the m.2 slots, or prefer the non-primary one. (Some boards for Intel, would only allow the "primary" m.2 socket just beneath the CPU socket to only function on 11th-gen CPUs, for board that supported 10th-gen/11th-gen. Seeing now that this should support 12th/13th-gen, that shouldn't be an issue.)

 

[Tech Junky]

Well, you can do it however you want but, the top M2 is typically the one linked to the CPU due to the shortest distance to the CPU.

The manual will tell you which one has priority access to the CPU for the fastest data throughput. If you want to stick something in the bottom right then you have to decide if you want to cover the screw hole and leave out the mounting screw or take the extra couple of minutes to do it properly.

There's the ASR Velocita that has a Gen5 socket on it for an M2 going back to the Z690 even. It's something many have over looked as it's never mentioned though gen 5 drives are just now coming out and requiring stupid heat sinks. blowers, and sometimes even a complete AIC to make them work.

 

[biostud]

Not everyone fill up every m2 from start, and it's not that difficult to mount a single m2 after installation.

 

[VirtualLarry]

and it's not that difficult to mount a single m2 after installation.

Maybe for you young'uns.

 

[biostud]

Maybe for you young'uns.

I installed my first m.2 a month ago before mounting the motherboard, so to be honest, I have no experience myself

 

[OlyAR15]

You're making a mountain out of a molehill. It's not that bad.

 

[Shmee]

I see what you mean, it does seem like it could be a bit of a hassle, also consider that to remove the board you probably need to remove your 2nd m.2 first.

 

[WelshBloke]

Not everyone fill up every m2 from start, and it's not that difficult to mount a single m2 after installation.

Easier than memory modules. I really hate trying to slot those. Feels like I have to put nearly enough pressure to crack the board before they seat.

But I don't install anything before the board is fitted to the MB tray.

 

[igor_kavinski]

OK, folks. This is my PATENTED idea (I'll do it later when I win a lottery or something) so don't anyone of you go and make a quick buck. I'm sharing it with you folks out of the goodness of my heart and coz I trust y'all.

How about a few VERTICAL M.2 slots in places around the CPU and DIMM slots where there won't be any clearance issues and then a row of vertical M.2 slots from the chipset near the SATA ports, away from the PCIe slots where they wouldn't be getting in the way of anything? Just pop them in like gum sticks and leave them standing. Naked on both sides so they can enjoy some nice, fresh airflow.

Yeah, I probably gave a few millions away right there. I'm so dumb.

 

[Shmee]

OK, folks. This is my PATENTED idea (I'll do it later when I win a lottery or something) so don't anyone of you go and make a quick buck. I'm sharing it with you folks out of the goodness of my heart and coz I trust y'all.

How about a few VERTICAL M.2 slots in places around the CPU and DIMM slots where there won't be any clearance issues and then a row of vertical M.2 slots from the chipset near the SATA ports, away from the PCIe slots where they wouldn't be getting in the way of anything? Just pop them in like gum sticks and leave them standing. Naked on both sides so they can enjoy some nice, fresh airflow.

Yeah, I probably gave a few millions away right there. I'm so dumb.

My Asus X99 Deluxe has an m.2 mount like that