Storage Solution Problem

[jaqdyer]

Hi, so I'm looking at upgrades to my computer and apparently (according to PC part picker) I've run into a problem. I was going to have 3 x 3TB HDD (Seagate Barracuda), 2 x Samsung 850 EVO 500Gb SSD's and a Samsung 960 EVO 500Gb M2 SSD. But apparently I need another 6GB SATA Slot... I've got the MSI X370 XPOWER Gaming Titanium... which has 6 SATA slots. Any help?

 

[Budge414]

Not sure what PCPartPicker is on about. I count 5 SATA3 slots that you'll be using, since the M2 SSD will be using, of course, an M2 slot.

I'd say you're safe with that motherboard since it has 6 ports, but post the PCPartPicker link and I'll look over it for you to be sure.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I was going to have 3 x 3TB HDD (Seagate Barracuda), 2 x Samsung 850 EVO 500Gb SSD's and a Samsung 960 EVO 500Gb M2 SSD.

Just curious - what's the idea behind this drive configuration?

 

[mwryder55]

If you look at the specifications page on MSI's website you will see: "* Maximum support 2x M.2 PCIe SSDs + 6x SATA HDDs or 2x M.2 SATA SSDs + 4x SATA HDDs" so I am wondering if your M.2 drive is taking over two of the SATA ports and that is why PCPartPicker is complaining.

 

[jaqdyer]

Not sure what PCPartPicker is on about. I count 5 SATA3 slots that you'll be using, since the M2 SSD will be using, of course, an M2 slot.

I'd say you're safe with that motherboard since it has 6 ports, but post the PCPartPicker link and I'll look over it for you to be sure.

Here's the link:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/jadye/saved/wHLLkL

The idea SkyNetRising is that I can have the quickest storage available for my OS, rendering programs, games and CAD software whilst having larger storage for the finished renders ect.
And that's the thing mwryder55, PCPartPicker says that when I use an M2 Slot I disable one of the SATA slots. But even then with 6 Slots I should have enough.

 

[Budge414]

Okay, so after some research and a look at the MSi board's manual (which has a nifty diagram to explain the different configurations) I can safely say you're good to go with the build you've planned.

PCPartPicker is partly right; Using one or both of the M.2 slots will negate the use of one or two SATA3 ports, respectively. However, this only applies if you were to plug in an M.2 compatible SATA SSD.

NVMe (or PCIe) SSDs like the 960 EVO you've chosen utilise the much faster PCIe lanes. A similar bandwidth sacrifice will be made, but instead with the last PCIe lane on the motherboard, which is scarcely used anyway.

This also means that you can use BOTH M.2 slots populated with 960 EVOs and ALL 6 SATA3 ports.

Check the manual out yourself if you'd like to verify my understanding: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/X370-XPOWER-GAMING-TITANIUM#down-manual

Enjoy! Beast setup btw

 

[jaqdyer]

Okay, so after some research and a look at the MSi board's manual (which has a nifty diagram to explain the different configurations) I can safely say you're good to go with the build you've planned.

PCPartPicker is partly right; Using one or both of the M.2 slots will negate the use of one or two SATA3 ports, respectively. However, this only applies if you were to plug in an M.2 compatible SATA SSD.

NVMe (or PCIe) SSDs like the 960 EVO you've chosen utilise the much faster PCIe lanes. A similar bandwidth sacrifice will be made, but instead with the last PCIe lane on the motherboard, which is scarcely used anyway.

This also means that you can use BOTH M.2 slots populated with 960 EVOs and ALL 6 SATA3 ports.

Check the manual out yourself if you'd like to verify my understanding: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/X370-XPOWER-GAMING-TITANIUM#down-manual

Enjoy! Beast setup btw

Thank you so much, a huge relief haha! Now I've just got to sort out the 1080 Ti. A mate has a normal 1080 and gets better frames on the same graphics :/ but thank you

 

[Budge414]

Thank you so much, a huge relief haha! Now I've just got to sort out the 1080 Ti. A mate has a normal 1080 and gets better frames on the same graphics :/ but thank you

PM me and I might be able to help with your frame issue.