Intel Ivy Bridge 3770K- what is the latest supported motherboard? Need M.2.

[Astralv]

Hey there

I have Ivy Bridge 3770K processor and P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8Z77V_PROTHUNDERBOLT/specifications/

I used all SATA ports for SSDs (music production, samples storage). The computer itself works great. I have no issues, and no excuse to rebuild. I want to wait to the end of 2016 for the new build, but for now need more SATA ports for SSD. At least 2 would make me happy.

These are the slots I have:
3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16
2 x PCIe x1
2 x PCI

One of these slots (large) occupied by the graphics card (AMD HD 7850) and very small port has Fire Wire card.

Can I utilize any of these ports for a SSD? I was advised to get a card but I could not find what I need. I want to get M.2 port. I keep hearing that M.2 is made on PCIe 3.0, so is there a way to turn my slots to M.2?

If I was to change the motherboard... will it take out my Windows installation? I have Windows 10 (upgrade from Win 8.0 to 8.1 to 10). If I have to pay $200 to upgrade motherboard, I would consider it, but I don't want to deal with reinstalling Windows.

So is there a way to take out my motherboard and replace it with newer generation that supports M.2, and still be using Ivy Bridge 3770K?

Thank you.

 

[Astralv]

Also the USB devices use power and KVM switch is always freezing because it gets not enough power...

Unless you did something stupid like put an SAS 15k drive in a 2.5mm enclosure without external power or connect multiple unpowered enclosures with a passive hub, you shouldn't ever see the USB power exceed the port's capabilities. And even 10 USB 3.0 with 1.5A charging capabilities only ends up being ~75W, you should NEVER have an issue with the PSU I recommended three times now... You mobo on the other hand though likely doesn't handle that many devices on USB anyway!

The USBs not used at at once, they just connected. For example Maschine pads, iRig Pads, Arturia pads, Yamaha keyboard, KVM switch, MOTU MIDI interface, few iLoks (store software license). I don't know how much power they take. I used to run 3 SCSI 15K drives on 350W power supply, with all the USB devices.

 

[basroil]

I don't know how much power they take.

Depends on your motherboard, but in general 1.5A max, usually just 0.5A on 5V. And that's if the device doesn't have an external power supply like most do. For your equipment, just ignore USB, it's not significant at all.

 

[jossrik]

Thank you for replies. Jossrik, I already have 3 plugs per cable run. Is there a splitter that splits each of those to two? Do you have a link or picture? If I search New Egg for single SATA to double adapter it comes with no result.

Basroil, I did see refurbished EVGA 850W PSU, at $89, but I can not wrap my mind around all the pins and connectors- I bet- it would have trouble with video card or something else... I am looking in to buying 2TB Muskin SSD at $500, but if I wait until summer, it may be less expansive. I can buy 1TB SSD at 200$ and that would hold me until fall, and then I may just replace one of my 250 Gb with 2 TB when they become reasonable in price. I do want the card, but it sounds too much trouble to change PSU. Also I will have no excuse to rebuild. The audio editing does not require super computer. It's the storage and reading and writing speeds that the most important... I did see SATA 3 to M2 adopters- not sure what it was... at Startech web site.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-15-Pin-SATA-Male-to-2-SATA-Splitter-Female-Power-Adapter-Cable-20cm-New-/222073981533?hash=item33b4a40a5d:g:HskAAOSwu1VW765z

Something like this, I have three of these making my 3 plug a six plug, and what I was saying was that it runs SSDs, HDDs, a fan hub, and a pump without question, so running as bunch of SATA SSDs will not tax it all that badly. Theoretically you could put a few of these in a chain and make as many as you want, but I've heard it's bad to go past 1 plug to 2 plugs.

 

[Astralv]

I bought this card: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Express-Controller-HyperDuo-Tiering/dp/B00BUC3N74?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

And 2 of these splitters: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-PYO2SATA-Power-Splitter-Adapter/dp/B002N2EHVQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Please, tell me this is what I was supposed to get. Also- my understanding that I can put this card in to SATA 3 x16 and I don't need to move my graphic card to free the express card? I think I bought Express card and this is not what I need?

 

[jossrik]

I bought this card: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Express-Controller-HyperDuo-Tiering/dp/B00BUC3N74?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

And 2 of these splitters: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-PYO2SATA-Power-Splitter-Adapter/dp/B002N2EHVQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Please, tell me this is what I was supposed to get. Also- my understanding that I can put this card in to SATA 3 x16 and I don't need to move my graphic card to free the express card? I think I bought Express card and this is not what I need?

Looks like you're headed in the right direction. Never used a SATA controller card, so ont sure if that's a good one or not, but the power adapters look right.

 

[basroil]

Please, tell me this is what I was supposed to get. Also- my understanding that I can put this card in to SATA 3 x16 and I don't need to move my graphic card to free the express card? I think I bought Express card and this is not what I need?

Both are fine, though the raided SATA controller is probably overkill for you.

And yes, just put it in an open x16 slot

 

[Astralv]

I did not try to get raided. I was shopping while at work and I did not have much time to search and read specs. It looked ok, some what pricey...

I appreciate all the help everybody offered. Looks like the solution to my problem is the use of Express card in x16 slot. I will select it as the best answer, also I wish I could select more than one best answer as this thread contained many good ideas. I will update when I receive the card and buy the drive. Thanks.

 

[Astralv]

Also, do you know where can this card be connected: it says SATA 3 to M2. http://www.sybausa.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=64_147_148&product_id=780

 

[basroil]

Also, do you know where can this card be connected: it says SATA 3 to M2. http://www.sybausa.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=64_147_148&product_id=780

That's just something that converts two SATA based m.2 disks into a "regular" SATA disk like an SSD