Question Is it possible for select the m.2 slot you wanna boot from on my mobo?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

TheReal_ist

Oct 7, 2019
18
0
10
I have the ASRock AB 350 Pro 4 mobo. I know I only have one Gen 3 capable m.2 slot, via looking at the manual but I couldn't figure out whether or not I could do the following.

OK so what I wanna do is use my existing nvme 120gb m.2 drive for my OS but I wanna put it on my slower second m.2 that's only got data speeds. Then I'd like to put my bigger 1tb nvme drive on the faster Gen 3 m.2 slot.

I imagine there's a way to do this I just don't wanna screw it up. So any help would be appreciated.

And yes I know "y don't u use the 1tb drive as your OS drive" I just don't want to. Plz just focus on the previous question thxs
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
TheReal_ist said:
I have the ASRock AB 350 Pro 4 mobo. I know I only have one Gen 3 capable m.2 slot, via looking at the manual but I couldn't figure out whether or not I could do the following.

OK so what I wanna do is use my existing nvme 120gb m.2 drive for my OS but I wanna put it on my slower second m.2 that's only got data speeds. Then I'd like to put my bigger 1tb nvme drive on the faster Gen 3 m.2 slot.

I imagine there's a way to do this I just don't wanna screw it up. So any help would be appreciated.

And yes I know "y don't u use the 1tb drive as your OS drive" I just don't want to. Plz just focus on the previous question thxs
Click to expand...

Why would you want slower drive to be your OS drive ?
Easiest way would be to do clean windows install on new NVMe drive or to clone old drive to new one.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike said:
Why would you want slower drive to be your OS drive ?
Easiest way would be to do clean windows install on new NVMe drive or to clone old drive to new one.
Click to expand...
Like I said can we please just focus on figuring out if I can even use the m.2 slot that comes before the slower slot. I know some slots can only be used for boot.

That's what I'm wondering. Please just focus on that question.
Thxs

Edit: here's a link to the Manual.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/B1qSfy2JGZS.pdf

I'm still not fully there when it comes to understanding pcie lanes and what gets what and who gets first pick for boot.

If u could help dumb it down that would be sick. :)
Cause I know I could only boot from the first few data ports when I used a data drive to boot from. Hence why I feel there might be issues especially since in the Manual it says if m.2 (slot 1) is occupied then pcie 4 is disabled. No clue if that mean I can't boot from the second slot since it's not first. But maybe...
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike said:
Well, yes, you can use any combination, that's what 2 slots are there for except one in second slot will work at SATA3 speed.
Click to expand...

As far as I've seen there isn't a huge difference when going from sata 3 to nvme speed wise. Sorta like going from 144hz to 240hz there's a difference but not really worth the hype.

Also can u explain the PCIE lanes bit. For instance is sata 3 use 2 lines aka 3gbs per lane and then does nvme use 4 lanes aka 12gbs total.

Cause I've looked into other pci accessories such as USB 3 pci e cards but ppl have said I don't have enough lanes.

Questions like that. Pretty much a crash course on pcie lanes and how there allocated. If u don't mind :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike said:
Well, yes, you can use any combination, that's what 2 slots are there for except one in second slot will work at SATA3 speed.
Click to expand...

Ok so again you've looked at the user manual and with your expertise it does say I can boot from the second m.2 slot and use the other faster m.2 slot at the same time.

There won't be any pcie lane snafu or errors I need to deal with?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
No no I know that what I'm asking is if I can boot from that m.2 (second slot) while utilizing the first slot for my regular bigger 1tb storage.

Is that possible with out any issues like I asked the Mike guy?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Top, NVME slot uses 4 PCIe lines from CPU and bottom (PCIe x2) uses 2 lines from chipset, same as SATA controller.
PS.
I can clearly see the difference between NVMe and SATA drives when used for OS although not in all cases. Updating windows for instance or installing SW and shuffling files goes faster and doesn't bog system down like with SATA drives. Massive programs also load faster again not bogging system down.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M2_2 slot supports sata M.2 drives only. You can not use nvme M.2 drive in it.

Only way to have second nvme drive on this board is by using pcie M.2 adapter.

HD032AS_154347_800x800.jpg
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike said:
Top, NVME slot uses 4 PCIe lines from CPU and bottom (PCIe x2) uses 2 lines from chipset, same as SATA controller.
PS.
I can clearly see the difference between NVMe and SATA drives when used for OS although not in all cases. Updating windows for instance or installing SW and shuffling files goes faster and doesn't bog system down like with SATA drives. Massive programs also load faster again not bogging system down.
Click to expand...

Ok so again you've looked at the user manual and with your expertise it does say I can boot from the second m.2 slot and use the other faster m.2 slot at the same time.

There won't be any pcie lane snafu or errors I need to deal with?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SkyNetRising said:
You can boot from second M.2 slot only, if you use sata M.2 drive in it.
Nvme M.2 drive will not work in it.

BTW - what are model names of your M.2 drives? Are you sure, they both are nvme?
Click to expand...

That's not even what I'm getting at. Plz re read the post the other guy understood what I'm asking u clearly don't for some reason.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SkyNetRising said:
Here - it says only sata M.2 drives are supported. Not a single word about nvme support in M2_2 slot.


https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AB350 Pro4/#Specification

Same thing in manual (page 36) - only sata drives are listed as compatible.
Click to expand...
Any M.2 SDD will work in any M.2 slot but it will not work at NVMe speed (PCIe x4) if MB does not have it connected to CPU supplied PCIe, only at SATA speeds.
I didn't update my signature but I moved my Samsung 960 evo, 250GB to second slot (also only SATA mode) and put new Samsung 970 in first M.2 slot. Both work and have windows 10 on each.
960 gets 3550 read and 960 gets 520 which is just about best speed for SATA3.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheReal_ist
Upvote -2 Downvote
SkyNetRising said:
Not true.
If M.2 slot supports only sata M.2 drives, then nvme M.2 drive does not work in that slot.
Click to expand...
So how come it works for me with same conditions ???
AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
AMD Athlon™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ 7th Generation A-Series/ Athlon™ X4Processors :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA mode)
AMD X470 chipset :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 2 mode)*2
6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
Support Raid 0, 1, 10

www.asus.com

｜｜ASUS Global

www.asus.com www.asus.com
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike said:
So how come it works for me with same conditions ???
AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
AMD Athlon™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ 7th Generation A-Series/ Athlon™ X4Processors :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA mode)
AMD X470 chipset :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 2 mode)*2
6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
Support Raid 0, 1, 10
Click to expand...
Not same conditions at all. OP has B350 chipset board, you have X470.

Your board with Ryzen cpu installed supports sata and nvme drives in both M.2 slots.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
Because your motherboard and its M.2 ports are different.
Yours, they can both take either SATA or PCIe/NVMe drives.

The OP's motherboard can't.
Only one slot can take a PCIe/NVMe drive.
Click to expand...

U guys realize that it doesn't matter I'f I get the full nvme speeds. LET ME REPEAT MYSELF

All I'm asking is if u can boot my OS from the second m.2 slot. The SPEED DOES NOT MATTER who the f*ck said it did in the first place.

Mike was right the second m.2 slot does support booting from. Please read what the OP says before running with your argument. Cause in this case u were arguing something me the OP didn't even ask u.

Thxs for the input anyways tho
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike said:
Any M.2 SDD will work in any M.2 slot but it will not work at NVMe speed (PCIe x4) if MB does not have it connected to CPU supplied PCIe, only at SATA speeds.
I didn't update my signature but I moved my Samsung 960 evo, 250GB to second slot (also only SATA mode) and put new Samsung 970 in first M.2 slot. Both work and have windows 10 on each.
960 gets 3550 read and 960 gets 520 which is just about best speed for SATA3.
Click to expand...

So your saying the second m.2 slot isn't connected to the cpu directly like it will be second in line access wise to the cpu lane.

OK do does that mean I'll have issues when booting from a drive in the second slot? I've heard of ppl saying it will take longer to boot just cause it doesn't have direct cpu access as the main full speed slots.

Any news on this claim you've heard of?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TheReal_ist said:
So your saying the second m.2 slot isn't connected to the cpu directly like it will be second in line access wise to the cpu lane.

OK do does that mean I'll have issues when booting from a drive in the second slot? I've heard of ppl saying it will take longer to boot just cause it doesn't have direct cpu access as the main full speed slots.

Any news on this claim you've heard of?
Click to expand...
His statement of "Any M.2 SDD will work in any M.2 slot " is absolutely not true.
It also has nothing to do with whether your system can boot from a drive in either M.2 port.
It can.

Just be cognizant of what type of drives can go in each, SATA or PCIe/NVMe.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
His statement of "Any M.2 SDD will work in any M.2 slot " is absolutely not true.
It also has nothing to do with whether your system can boot from a drive in either M.2 port.
It can.

Just be cognizant of what type of drives can go in each, SATA or PCIe/NVMe.
Click to expand...

So if his statement doesn't tell me that I can boot from the second m.2 slot. U mind finding a quote in the user manual saying this is possible.

Cause like I said I don't fully get the cpu direct pcie lanes or pcie lanes in general.
Thxs
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom