Question Install an NVMe M.2 in PCIeX16-2 slot?

[ncsercs]

Looking at getting either an Asus H87M-PRO w/an I5-4690 or an Asus Z87M-PLUS w/an I5-4690K (depending on which I can get a better deal on).

In either case, looking at getting a Gigabyte GV-N1030D5-2GL (GDDR5 version) using up PCIeX16-1.

Question - for PCIeX16-2 can I install an adapter to boot off an NVMe M.2 (256GB Samsung 960 EVO)?

If yes, what would my speed be using this?



Thanks!

 

[Insert_Nickname]

The short answer is no. You'll need a Z97 or newer chipset for inbox NVMe booting support. What you can do is use an NVMe drive as a secondary disk, you just can't boot of it.

With regards to installing an NVMe drive in a secondary PCIe x16 slot, that shouldn't cause any issues other then splitting PCIe lanes so your GPU will run at x8 maximum. The performance penalty is completely negligeble. That GT1030 you're looking at only has a x4 interface anyway, so it's a complete non-issue.

 

[deustroop]

The second expansion x 16 slot should not take lanes from the first slot where you plan to install the gpu but from the 2 x1 slots .
You will have to set a bios switch to obtain x4 speed .
And note the bandwidth is PCIe 2, about half the speed of PCIe 3 or ~ 2GB/s, still faster than a SATA drive.

See the specs which say:

1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 mode, yellow)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, dark brown) *1
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
*1: The PCIe x16_2 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 and PCIe x1_2 slot. The default setting is x2 mode. Go to the BIOS setup to change the settings.

 

[Arkaign]

I'm kind of puzzled as to why these two options? Getting pre 9 series Intel mobos to boot from NVME is extremely iffy. In some cases it's possible, but not easy. It's easier to get it to install as a secondary drive, but of course that is of little use.

Is it a budget/availability issue, and there are no newer options on the table? A new Ryzen 3 and B series should be less expensive and far and away more capable of doing what you want. Actually, the Ryzen APU should be able to eliminate the need for the Nvidia 1030 as well, and your upgrade path would be immensely improved.

 

[ncsercs]

I'm convinced. Decided to go this route.....

SilverStone Milo ML03 case
MSI B450M PRO-M2 mb
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G cpu