Question How many M.2 devices can I run with Alder Lake

[Bagheera74]

I’m upgrading my mother board cpu and m.2 drive. I’m using the recommended cpu and board from the modest intel build on PC part picker. I5 12 gen F and asrock board. The asrock board has 2 m.2 slots and 1 m.2 Wi-Fi. Can I place two pcie m.2 sad drives nvme and one Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth in the Wi-Fi slot? I will also be adding in my nvidia GTX game card. My concern is regarding the pci express lanes. Alder lake shows 16 for graphics and 4 for m.2 storage. Will I be able to do this? If not, can I use A sata drive in one of the slots instead?

 

[Math Geek]

what is the exact mobo model ? you need to look at the spec sheet for that model to know how it divides up lanes.

 

[Bagheera74]

Hello and thank you. The board is asrock B660M-HDV

 

[Math Geek]

spec sheet says

- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s & PCIe Gen3x4 (32 Gb/s) modes*
- 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors**

so you get 1 gen 4 m.2 and 1 gen 3 m.2 slot.

side note states that using the second m.2 slot disables one of the sata ports. just something to keep in mind in case you also want to use multiple sata ports.

the gpu won't be a problem as it gets all 16 lanes.

so overall looks like you're fine for what you are thinking so long as you don't expect 2 gen 4 m.2 slots.

the wifi/BT card is no problem either. they are not part of the equation for the storage slots.

 

[Bagheera74]

spec sheet says

- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s & PCIe Gen3x4 (32 Gb/s) modes*
- 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors**

so you get 1 gen 4 m.2 and 1 gen 3 m.2 slot.

side note states that using the second m.2 slot disables one of the sata ports. just something to keep in mind in case you also want to use multiple sata ports.

the gpu won't be a problem as it gets all 16 lanes.

so overall looks like you're fine for what you are thinking so long as you don't expect 2 gen 4 m.2 slots.

the wifi/BT card is no problem either. they are not part of the equation for the storage slots.

Yes I noticed that bit about the sata thanks for pointing it out. You are so awesome and generous with your time thanks again.

 

[Math Geek]

no problem. glad i could help clarify