Asus x99 Pro and M.2 SSD Question

[CROOKID]

The Asus X99 pro has the features set in looking for but Tom's review has me a bit perplexed and perhaps things have changed with the 3.1 refresh.

I plan on an SLI setup with two EVGA GTX980TI cards and want to know if this is possible with an M.2 SSD. I plan on picking up the Intel 750 PCIe SSD.

I tried asking Asus but they directed me to call their support who then tried to "search" her downed system to answer such a specific question. So here I am, on to asking a community that has actual product knowledge.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[Saberus]

Which processor? that will determine how many lanes you have to work with. And are you using anything else that takes PCI e lanes?

 

[CROOKID]

Nothing else I need on the lanes at the moment. Will be running an i7 5820K.

Supposedly Asus was working close with Intel on this SSD and by utilizing NVM-E, it's supposed to have more compatibility.

I just want to make sure I'm not going to pick this up and run half speed like most people were complaining about with the Samsung. Although the Samsung doesn't run NVM-E (I don't think). But both need x4 from my understanding.

Excuse me if I sound all over the place or confused. This is a new technology for me and I'm still trying to understand it (the new consumer grade PCIe SSDs).

Also, I was going to roll with the PICe direct solution but if the 2.5 with the adapter is a better suit--let me know.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to help me.

 

[Saberus]

You have 28 lanes. With that proc, that board will run your cards as x16, x8, and x4. You'll be maxed out between the SLI'd 980's and the M.2, but it will all run, just no room for anything else.

 

[CROOKID]

Okay, as long as it will run at full speed, I should be fine.

Just for the sake of decision making, if I went with a processor with more lanes, would there be physically enough space to fit another PCIe component? If not with the PCIe direct card, then with the 2.5" M.2 add-in?

 

[Saberus]

The 5830 and 5860 both have 44 lanes, IIRC, so there would be more available for a PCIe-based SSD, yes. You could even run the SLI at 16/16 if the board and everything supports it, and still have enough lanes for an x8 and x4, or 3 x4 devices. (If these configs are supported, verify with the board manual, I could be wrong)

 

[CROOKID]

I'm assuming you meant 5930 and 5960. As for checking with the manual, will do. Although information is scarce about this particular question so hopefully something mentions it.

Thanks again.

 

[Saberus]

Yes, the 5930 and 5960.

 

[CROOKID]

I just checked the specs for the motherboard and they are as follows:

40-Lane CPU - 3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16, x16/x16/x8) *1

The specs for the Deluxe read:

40-Lane CPU - 5 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16, x16/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x8/x8/x8/x8/x8 mode) *1

So maybe I am better off with the deluxe for more compatibility.

EDIT: Actually, it looks like the Pro will give me esentially the same if I want to run 16/16/4 since both support 16/16/8 leaving an extra 4. I have no desire for the other modes since trying to run both cards on 16 and leave room for an additional component like a sound card or something.

Or maybe even another M.2 SSD.