Asus Z97-A USB 3.1 - M.2 Question!

[Mark Newman]

Asus Z97-A USB 3.1 Motherboard...

Does anyone know for sure if the M.2 slot supports either or both the PCIE or SATA controller?

I want to buy an SSD for the M.2 slot. It has a SATA controller.

But I have read that this M.2 card only supports the PCIE type of SSD.
These drives are more expensive but much faster.

Thanks...

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

The M.2 slot supports PCIe only.

See "Storage" specs here: https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/Z97AUSB_31/specifications/

 

[Mark Newman]

Thank you for your answer... That's unfortunate for me!

Actually, I had seen that link and the spec sheet isn't clear at all.

 

[ASUSCustomerLoyalty]

Greetings Mark Newman,

Thanks for sharing your post. I agree with Phillip Corcoran, The Z97-A/3.1 can only be used in PCIe mode. Also, it would also be good to note that the M.2 slot runs at x2 mode instead of x4. For a list of Qualified M.2 drives that have been tested to work with this motherboard please visit pg. 3 (M.2 PCIe) on the ASUS Device Report:
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/Z97-A_USB31/Z97-A-USB31_Device_Report.pdf?_ga=1.98258583.904184548.1458578930

Please review ASUS Z97-A/3.1 User manual pg. vi for more information on the M.2 installation: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/Z97-A_USB31/E10107_Z97-A_USB_31_for_web_only.pdf?_ga=1.101467913.904184548.1458578930

Refer to section 2.6.7 Onboard Devices Configuration in your manual. Make sure to set the item PCI Express Slot and Bandwidth to [M.2 mode] to enable the function.