ssd + 2x HDDs

[kasradarktroll]

hey there
i have a gigabyte z270x gaming k7 motherboard and i have 2 HDDs installed already and im planning to buy a m.2 ssd ...but i dont know which m.2 slot should i install it on... i have only 1 gpu installed and heard that if i install the ssd it will disable 2 sata3 ports...

 

[Ralston18]

What brand(s) m.2 SSD are you considering?

Go to the applicable websites, find the desired SSD and its' User Guide/Manual and installation instructions.

Read the installation requirements. Then verify that your z270z meets those requirements.

Double check everything. Especially if you feel the installation instructions are unclear or vague about the necessary slots/ports.

 

[asoroka]

HI,

First up you don't have many choices.

You have already identified your motherboard so you can go the the Gigabyte website to look up the manual (if you don't have it already).

There are 2 m.2 slots. For optimal performance get a SSD that supports PCIe (not sata).
The one closest to your CPU is labeled M2M and the one furthest away is M2P.

The Sata ports stacked on top of each other are 1, 0 (bottom) 5, 4 (top). The two on the left unstacked are 2 and 3.

if you use M2M slot then you lose SATA ports 4 and 5 (ones on the top row).

If you use the M2P slot, then it will depend on what type of m.2 card you use (PCIe or Sata).
If you have m2 SATA then you lose SATA port 0.
if you have M2 PCIe then you share with the bottom PCI slot (but don't lose SATA)

let me know if not clear

 

[kasradarktroll]

HI,

First up you don't have many choices.

You have already identified your motherboard so you can go the the Gigabyte website to look up the manual (if you don't have it already).

There are 2 m.2 slots. For optimal performance get a SSD that supports PCIe (not sata).
The one closest to your CPU is labeled M2M and the one furthest away is M2P.

The Sata ports stacked on top of each other are 1, 0 (bottom) 5, 4 (top). The two on the left unstacked are 2 and 3.

if you use M2M slot then you lose SATA ports 4 and 5 (ones on the top row).

If you use the M2P slot, then it will depend on what type of m.2 card you use (PCIe or Sata).
If you have m2 SATA then you lose SATA port 0.
if you have M2 PCIe then you share with the bottom PCI slot (but don't lose SATA)

let me know if not clear

http://www.xpg.com/en/specification/487
the 128 gb one
i think its pcie

 

[asoroka]

use the m2 slot closest to your CPU and don't use the SATA ports on the top row.

Or use the m2 slot furthest away from the CPU and don't use SATA 0 to be sure.

Personaly I would use the M2 closest to the CPU and not use teh top row SATA

 

[kasradarktroll]

use the m2 slot closest to your CPU and don't use the SATA ports on the top row.

Or use the m2 slot furthest away from the CPU and don't use SATA 0 to be sure.

Personaly I would use the M2 closest to the CPU and not use teh top row SATA

i only have 2 sata3 HDDs and thats all so i think it will be ok
btw do different slots mean different performance?
and will i be able to install and boot the windows on the ssd? thats the whole reason im buying it

 

[R0GG]

Motherboard upper M.2 Slot (labeled M2M) will make SATA3 and SATA4 ports of your motherboard unusable (even if the M.2 is working in a SATA mode)
On the other hand the lower M.2 Slot labeled M2P only when it's set to SATA mode would make SATA0 port of your motherboard not available

So basically lower M.2 slot is more forgiving, but at the same time , even when using Upper M.2 slot you'll still have 4 sata ports available

 

[kasradarktroll]

Motherboard upper M.2 Slot (labeled M2M) will make SATA3 and SATA4 ports of your motherboard unusable (even if the M.2 is working in a SATA mode)
On the other hand the lower M.2 Slot labeled M2P only when it's set to SATA mode would make SATA0 port of your motherboard not available

So basically lower M.2 slot is more forgiving, but at the same time , even when using Upper M.2 slot you'll still have 4 sata ports available

are they even compatible tho?
http://www.xpg.com/en/specification/487
and
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z270X-Gaming-K7-rev-10#sp

 

[R0GG]

the M.2drive you selected should work without issue in any of the two M.2 slots of your motherboard, choose PCIe 3 x4 for higher transfer speeds.

 

[kasradarktroll]

the M.2drive you selected should work without issue in any of the two M.2 slots of your motherboard, choose PCIe 3 x4 for higher transfer speeds.

it is PCIe Gen3x4
and thx

 

[R0GG]

You're welcome