Hello. Here are my specs.
I am confused as to what these mean. I read in a 960 proSSD on Amazon that it uses PCIe x4 m.2. In the expansion slot section, it states that if you put in a x4, it will disable my PCIe x1 slots. I have a PCIex1 wireless network card installed and would not want it to be disabled. Unless I am mistaken, I think there is a expansion slot that says PCIex4 of which I am not using. If I install a m.2 SSD that says it uses PCIe x4, does that mean I can't use my PCIx1 network card, or does that only refer to the other expansion slot?
Also, what does it mean by m.2 and SATA express cannot be used at the same time? I think I have my SSD plugged into SATA express port, though I might be wrong. Do the plugs for a regular Sata 3 and SATA express look any different? It says SATA express around the SATA connector, but I can't tell which one it is referring to. Will installing a m.2 make me have to move my SSD from the SATA express port? Will it make my computer slower? Can my SSD even use all the extra bandwidth of the SATA Express? Will I be fine installing a PCIe m.2 ssd?
Also, would there be a difference in performance from a m.2 SATA and regular 2.5 inch SSD? If they are same speed at similar price, I think it would be easier to just install the m.2 rather than have to buy another 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch bay converter and add another SATA and PSU cable. Would there be a benefit of the 2.5 inch SSD? WIll any of them last longer? Also, is a regular SATA m.2 SSD enough, or should I get a PCIe SSD? I see some say they only use PCIe NVME, while some say they use PCIe x2, or PCIex4. What are the differences and do they are they all compatible with my m.2 port? Which should I choose? Are the higher prices of a PCIe SSD worth it, or will the difference be too hard to tell and I should just save money? My 840 Evo does feel very fast. It was a huge and noticeable difference from when I used to only have HDD. Will spending more on the PCIe SSD or PCIe NVME be a noticeable difference? I mostly just play games, do homework, and go on Youtube. I do some editing, but not very often. Also, I would really appreciate some SSD recommendations. Thank you.
CPU:i5-4590
RAM:16 GB
GPU- GTX 960 2 GB
PSU:650 watt EVGA Gold
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H rev 1.2
Case: Corsair Carbide 200R
SSD:Samsung 840 EVO 256 GB 2.5 inch Sata
HDD:1 TB WD Blue
"6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
(M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.)"
"1 x M.2 PCIe connector
(Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA & PCIe SSD support)"
"1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
* The PCIEX4 slot shares bandwidth with all PCI Express x1 slots. All PCI Express x1 slots will become unavailable when a PCIe x4 expansion card is installed."
I am confused as to what these mean. I read in a 960 proSSD on Amazon that it uses PCIe x4 m.2. In the expansion slot section, it states that if you put in a x4, it will disable my PCIe x1 slots. I have a PCIex1 wireless network card installed and would not want it to be disabled. Unless I am mistaken, I think there is a expansion slot that says PCIex4 of which I am not using. If I install a m.2 SSD that says it uses PCIe x4, does that mean I can't use my PCIx1 network card, or does that only refer to the other expansion slot?
Also, what does it mean by m.2 and SATA express cannot be used at the same time? I think I have my SSD plugged into SATA express port, though I might be wrong. Do the plugs for a regular Sata 3 and SATA express look any different? It says SATA express around the SATA connector, but I can't tell which one it is referring to. Will installing a m.2 make me have to move my SSD from the SATA express port? Will it make my computer slower? Can my SSD even use all the extra bandwidth of the SATA Express? Will I be fine installing a PCIe m.2 ssd?
Also, would there be a difference in performance from a m.2 SATA and regular 2.5 inch SSD? If they are same speed at similar price, I think it would be easier to just install the m.2 rather than have to buy another 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch bay converter and add another SATA and PSU cable. Would there be a benefit of the 2.5 inch SSD? WIll any of them last longer? Also, is a regular SATA m.2 SSD enough, or should I get a PCIe SSD? I see some say they only use PCIe NVME, while some say they use PCIe x2, or PCIex4. What are the differences and do they are they all compatible with my m.2 port? Which should I choose? Are the higher prices of a PCIe SSD worth it, or will the difference be too hard to tell and I should just save money? My 840 Evo does feel very fast. It was a huge and noticeable difference from when I used to only have HDD. Will spending more on the PCIe SSD or PCIe NVME be a noticeable difference? I mostly just play games, do homework, and go on Youtube. I do some editing, but not very often. Also, I would really appreciate some SSD recommendations. Thank you.