Question Should I add an M.2 to my PC even when my CPU can't handle the additional PCIe lanes?

[tomer fishbein]

Hi everyone,
I have the Gigabyte Z270 gaming k3 motherboard and I want to install a second NVMe SSD (the Samsung 980 in particular).
My PC components:
I5 7600k
rx 5700xt
32 Gb of DDR4 3200Mhz
256 Gb of M.2
1T HDD

I know my CPU can handle up to 16 PCIe lanes, and I already have a GPU that uses 16 lanes + my M.2 utilizes 4 lanes so I'm already above the limit.
The reason I want to add storage is that my old HDD is making weird loud noises when booting up and Windows even gave me a blue screen once and in the notes it stated the reason was loose cables on the HDD or a faulty HDD.
So the question is should I add another M.2 or a SATA 3 SSD since my CPU can't handle the bandwidth? Or maybe there's another solution?

 

[USAFRet]

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z270-Gaming-K3-rev-10/sp#sp
Your board has 1 M.2 port.

Just add a SATA III SSD. It can handle that no problem.

 

[tomer fishbein]

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z270-Gaming-K3-rev-10/sp#sp
Your board has 1 M.2 port.

Just add a SATA III SSD. It can handle that no problem.

Thanks!
I know I have only 1 M.2 port, so I thought about buying an M.2 NVME to PCIe adapter if I choose to go for another M.2

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks!
I know I have only 1 M.2 port, so I thought about buying an M.2 NVME to PCIe adapter if I choose to go for another M.2

Don't bother.
Unlikely you would really notice the difference vs a SATA III SSD.

 

[SkyNetRising]

so I thought about buying an M.2 NVME to PCIe adapter if I choose to go for another M.2

Yes, you can do that.
Two lower PCIE x16 slots work in PCIE 3.0 x4 mode and each are capable supporting single M.2 drive.
Those slots use chipset PCIE lanes. They are not directly connected to cpu.

 

[tomer fishbein]

Yes, you can do that.
Two lower PCIE x16 slots work in PCIE 3.0 x4 mode and each are capable supporting single M.2 drive.
Those slots use chipset PCIE lanes. They are not directly connected to cpu.

Thank you, but what about the bottleneck I'm creating regarding the number of PCIe lanes my CPU can handle?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you, but what about the bottleneck I'm creating regarding the number of PCIe lanes my CPU can handle?

As said above, that would be using the chipset lanes, not CPU lanes.

 

[FAhentai]

okay, first all, you are wrong.
In fact, you CPU has more than 16X, that is beacuse by intel standard, DMI, which is the data link between CPU and chipset that runs at PCI-E 3.0X4 speed, is not counted in. Meanwhile, you chip set is also a PLX, which is more or less like a network switch but it is a switch for your PCI-E lanes, it has 4X uplink, meanwhile, it has 24X down link in total.
Thus, it is okay for you to use something like this

 

[tomer fishbein]

okay, first all, you are wrong.
In fact, you CPU has more than 16X, that is beacuse by intel standard, DMI, which is the data link between CPU and chipset that runs at PCI-E 3.0X4 speed, is not counted in. Meanwhile, you chip set is also a PLX, which is more or less like a network switch but it is a switch for your PCI-E lanes, it has 4X uplink, meanwhile, it has 24X down link in total.
Thus, it is okay for you to use something like this

Thanks a lot for the explanation!
I'll buy the Samsung EVO 980 and an NVMe to PCIe adapter.
Just another general question regarding the adapter...
Should I look for anything specific? I know some adapters come with some kind of cooling?
And some are more expensive than others...
I'm asking to make sure I don't screw anything up.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Should I look for anything specific? I know some adapters come with some kind of cooling?
And some are more expensive than others...

There are Samsung 980 Pro models with heatsink preinstalled.
PCIE 4.0 and PCIE 5.0 M.2 drives are generally hot and require a heatsink.

Your system is limited to PCIE 3.0.
PCIE 4.0 and 5.0 drives will not be able to run at full speed.
Get 970 evo instead.

There is no significant difference between various PCIE M.2 (single M.2 slot) adapters.

 

[logainofhades]

There is no 980 Evo. You get a 980 which is a dramless gen 3 drive, or the gen 4 980 pro. Neither of which I would recommend for your particular system. The 980 because it is dramless, and the 980 pro because you can't fully utilize the speed. For a 1tb drive, for your system, this would be my pick. It's one of the best gen3 drives available, and only $1 more than the regular 980. The 2tb version is cheaper than any Samsung 2tb right now.

PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: SK Hynix Gold P31 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($75.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $75.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-10-21 12:52 EDT-0400

 

[FAhentai]

Thanks a lot for the explanation!
I'll buy the Samsung EVO 980 and an NVMe to PCIe adapter.
Just another general question regarding the adapter...
Should I look for anything specific? I know some adapters come with some kind of cooling?
And some are more expensive than others...
I'm asking to make sure I don't screw anything up.

Your cpu and MB are both old that does not support PCI-E 4.0
Thus, for both the PCI-E to M.2 card and M.2 SSD, you can just use PCI-E 3.0 ones, no need to spend exstra money for expensive PCI-E 4.0 or even PCI-E 5.0 stuff and even if you did, you can only get PCI-E 3.0 speed