M.2 to PCiE Adapter- Legit or Scam?

[MceraWV]

Hello!

For a little bit of a summer project, a few friends and I are looking at putting together a computer inside of a GameCube. While size constraints were initially a concern, we've managed to iron out all the issues except for one: connecting a dedicated GPU to the motherboard we're using.

To fit the size constraint we've opted for a Mini-STX form factor motherboard. The obvious issue with this is there are no standard expansion slots on this form factor, save 2 slots for M.2 drives. It's my understanding that M.2 connectors are simply PCiE connectors with the pins arranged and sized differently from the standard. I proved this theory upon finding this reddit thread, where another user did the same thing I'm looking to except with an Intel NUC. However, the adapter they have used I can't seem to find available anywhere.

Instead, I've found this adapter, which LOOKS like it should work. Alas, I cannot find any reviews on it, despite its presumed popularity seeing the many sellers offering it and the number of times it has been purchased.

My question: is this adapter legit? Does it look like something that would be able to power a low-end GPU (Nvidia GT 1030), or is it simply a useless piece of plastic? I am aware of the significant performance bottleneck that would be present even if it DOES function, but I'm not concerned about that. If anyone with more knowledge in regards to M.2 slots, PCiE lanes, or circuitry in general could shed some light on this situation, I would be more than thankful!

Regards,
-MC

 

[k1114]

A lot of the uncommon adapters are for testing purposes and not for functioning windows pcs. M.2 uses pcie protocols so will support a gpu in it but the issue you may run into is the adapter functionality and power output. There's no telling if it'll work if you can't get any info on someone using that specific adapter.

There should actually be no performance bottleneck with a low end gpu. Worst case you'd have to use the igpu which isn't surprising considering the form factor.

 

[MceraWV]

A lot of the uncommon adapters are for testing purposes and not for functioning windows pcs. M.2 uses pcie protocols so will support a gpu in it but the issue you may run into is the adapter functionality and power output. There's no telling if it'll work if you can't get any info on someone using that specific adapter.

There should actually be no performance bottleneck with a low end gpu. Worst case you'd have to use the igpu which isn't surprising considering the form factor.

Adapter functionality was my main concern in this regard- in terms of power, the GT 1030 only has a 30W TDP, which I assumed would be able to be covered by the SATA-Floppy power cable provided by the adapter. Then again it wouldn't hurt to throw that skepticism in there as well. I was considering simply ordering the adapter itself and attaching it to my main system which has an M.2 slot, and popping in a low-profile 8400 GS I had lying around for proof of concept.

If I were to go about doing this, do you think there'd be a chance I could fry my system? Obviously if it simply doesn't work then it's just $8 and a few days of waiting down the drain opposed to the whole budget I had set aside for the GameCube. Though if the danger of possibly busting my main rig is there I'll find another way to go about testing this.

Thank you for your response!
-MC

 

[k1114]

I doubt it'll be able to hurt anything. I'd say to just buy and try. There's really no other choice to know if it works.

 

[timomatic]

Sounds like an awesome and challenging project. While I'm not sure on whether or not this adaptor will work I have a slightly different solution. The Intel NUC would fit perfectly inside a Game Cube case. There is a variety of NUCs that scale up to quite high end while not breaking the budget. A NUC wouldn't perform as well as a custom build with a GT1030 but it should still play most new release titles. It wouldn't have any trouble running a Game Cube emulator.