Question Stacking M.2's & Fitment Issues w/ASUS

[Redbird2012]

ASUS has 2 ITX boards I'm considering for a new build. The z690i & z790i, both have stacked M.2's & I've read that people have had issues with thermal pads being to thick & M.2's don't fit correctly. I'm looking at the Crucial T500 1TB & 2TB. Hate to purchase 2 M.2's only to find out they won't fit properly and can't put the cover plate back in place. I like Samsung 990 Pro but the read/write speeds are better on the Crucial. Anyone have suggestions would be appreciated. Looking to avoid what I know is coming. Thanks for reading.

 

[hedwar2011]

ASUS has 2 ITX boards I'm considering for a new build. The z690i & z790i, both have stacked M.2's & I've read that people have had issues with thermal pads being to thick & M.2's don't fit correctly. I'm looking at the Crucial T500 1TB & 2TB. Hate to purchase 2 M.2's only to find out they won't fit properly and can't put the cover plate back in place. I like Samsung 990 Pro but the read/write speeds are better on the Crucial. Anyone have suggestions would be appreciated. Looking to avoid what I know is coming. Thanks for reading.

Honestly, its going to come down to knowing the dimensions of each of the drives and measuring accordingly unless someone has this exact same configuration already and can speak to personal experience.

 

[Redbird2012]

Honestly, its going to come down to knowing the dimensions of each of the drives and measuring accordingly unless someone has this exact same configuration already and can speak to personal experience.

Yeah I kinda figured that. I really like when there is a M.2 on the back, takes out all that guess work. Most M.2's are built the same so I guess you just buy and work out the details as you go. Some videos on YT show purchasing thermal pads in a variety of thickness.

 

[hedwar2011]

Yeah I kinda figured that. I really like when there is a M.2 on the back, takes out all that guess work. Most M.2's are built the same so I guess you just buy and work out the details as you go. Some videos on YT show purchasing thermal pads in a variety of thickness.

I would only suggest that if they are touching or extremely close together. Be sure and pay special attention to the fact that the slots are rated differently on the z790i. One is PCIe 5.0 x4 and one is PCIe 4.0 x4

 

[Redbird2012]

I would only suggest that if they are touching or extremely close together. Be sure and pay special attention to the fact that the slots are rated differently on the z790i. One is PCIe 5.0 x4 and one is PCIe 4.0 x4

I realize the slots are rated differently PCIe5 & PCIe4 but do you know if the size thickness is larger in general between the two? I would think since ASUS designed the board they would take that into consideration, but then again? Any thoughts?

 

[hedwar2011]

I really don't have any except for what I mentioned. You might be able to google images of the two drives and get a guesstimate of what to consider.

 

[Redbird2012]

I really don't have any except for what I mentioned. You might be able to google images of the two drives and get a guesstimate of what to consider.

Thats's my next step. I just purchased the ASUS z690i and once it comes in I'll take measurements. Maybe you might know the answer here, there is a bios flashback button on the rear I/O. If you need to do a bios update there is a usb connection, just download the new bios on the stick and insert into designated usb port and push the button. Here in lies my question. If that button is pushed in by accident & you're not actually trying to do an update could it affect the bios or delete it? The button could easily be pushed by accident.

 

[hedwar2011]

Look at the motherboard manual to be safe. I haven't built a system in some time and none had that feature so I want to err on the side of caution.

 

[Redbird2012]

Look at the motherboard manual to be safe. I haven't built a system in some time and none had that feature so I want to err on the side of caution.

Ok. Most manuals that I found tell you how to do it but specific questions like this not so much. I also have posted this question on ASUS forum but haven't heard anything as yet. Thanks for your response.