Question Help with M.2 sockets on new motherboard ?

[RenTheReaper]

Gtx 1660Ti
i5 9400f
Windows 11 home
Asrock b365m pro4

Hi, currently I'm transferring components from an old computer to a new motherboard and case. So my new motherboard (Asrock B365m Pro4), has 2 types of M.2 ports from what I understand. One is a so called "Ultra M.2" socket, the other being perhaps a normal M.2 socket?..
Exact wording: "Equipped with M.2 slot that supports both SATA3 6Gb/s and PCIe Gen3 x4 Ultra M.2 interface that pushes data transfer speeds up to 32Gb/s"
https://www.asrock.com/mb/intel/b365m pro4/index.asp
So I was wondering which one might be more advantageous to use? Especially for gaming.

 

[RenTheReaper]

On a side note.. I am admittedly wondering which socket truly with a bit of confusion from looking at the manual and what is labeled in front of me.

 

[RenTheReaper]

https://imgur.com/a/BF4MyG6

View: https://imgur.com/a/BF4MyG6

 

[RenTheReaper]

https://imgur.com/a/tHllZyV

View: https://imgur.com/a/tHllZyV

 

[RenTheReaper]

https://imgur.com/a/Sv0xlhO

View: https://imgur.com/a/Sv0xlhO

 

[Lafong]

Here is more detail from Asrock web site.



- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_1), supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280 M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)**

- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_2), supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280/22110 M.2 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s module and M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)**

If M2_2 is occupied by a SATA-type M.2 device, SATA3_0 will be disabled.

What make and model drive do you intend to use?

Apparently, M2-1 works only with a PCIe drive. M2-2 works with SATA or PCIe.

 

[RenTheReaper]

https://imgur.com/a/dbPbrDA

View: https://imgur.com/a/dbPbrDA

It would seem as though the manual would indicate that the top socket is the Ultra M.2 socket while the bottom one would be the other M.2 socket. While physically looking however, the bottom socket has the Ultra M.2 labeling despite being labeled as well M2_2 on the PCB.

 

[RenTheReaper]

Here is more detail from Asrock web site.



- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_1), supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280 M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)**

- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_2), supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280/22110 M.2 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s module and M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)**

If M2_2 is occupied by a SATA-type M.2 device, SATA3_0 will be disabled.

What make and model drive do you intend to use?

Apparently, M2-1 works only with a PCIe drive. M2-2 works with SATA or PCIe.

I noticed the details regarding the "SATA3_0 will be disabled".
I intend on using a Toshiba M.2 NVMe SSD.

 

[RenTheReaper]

I've looked up information regarding the "Ultra M.2" sockets but wondered both which socket really is the Ultra M.2 socket and which socket is better to use.

 

[RenTheReaper]

Especially since I found this tadbit of information on the Ultra M.2 sockets.

 

[RenTheReaper]

Especially since I found this tadbit of information on the Ultra M.2 sockets.

Is Ultra M.2 worth it?

Hello All, I've tried to do my own research on this topic, but I'm unable to find the answer to my specific questions. Thanks in advance for any help. 1. Understanding that the Ultra M.2 socket uses 4x PCI-E lanes from the CPU, would it be worth the increased SSD bandwidth to drop my single...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[RenTheReaper]

If I recall, the current SSD I'll use until I replace it, is a PCIe 3.0 x 2 Toshiba SSD, so would my GPU (GTX 1660Ti) be affected if I use the Ultra M.2 socket?

 

[Lafong]

An NVMe will work ONLY in M.2_1.

 

[RenTheReaper]

Here is more detail from Asrock web site.



- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_1), supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280 M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)**

- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_2), supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280/22110 M.2 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s module and M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)**

If M2_2 is occupied by a SATA-type M.2 device, SATA3_0 will be disabled.

What make and model drive do you intend to use?

Apparently, M2-1 works only with a PCIe drive. M2-2 works with SATA or PCIe.

On another side note, if this is a so called heat sink:

https://imgur.com/a/WqDKQaq

View: https://imgur.com/a/WqDKQaq

Does that mean I can put it over my current SSD and scren them both onto the motherboard?

 

[Lafong]

On another side note, if this is a so called heat sink:

https://imgur.com/a/WqDKQaq

View: https://imgur.com/a/WqDKQaq

Does that mean I can put it over my current SSD and scren them both onto the motherboard?

That looks like an M.2 heatsink.

I have no idea where it came from.

It may or may not fit on your Toshiba.

It's anyone's guess how much it would help or whether it is "needed".

If you are a worrywart about temps, use it if it will fit.