Question Unable to Simultaneously Use NVMe and SATA

[TwinKasai]

Build info:
ASUS Z170-A
Intel i7-7700k
Nvidia 2070 Super
AORUS wifi card

Drives:
PCIe WD Black 2TB
HDD WD Black 4TB
HDD WD Green 1TB

System previously ran on a SATA SSD with 4 other SATA connections with no issue. Since installing the NVMe drive the system will run continuously but not post unless the only drive connected is the PCIe (some rogue cases where if the 1TB is connected with the PCIe it will boot, but not consistent). Currently having it run fine on only PCIe and have since updated all drivers and my BIOS.

I haven't touched BIOS settings too much besides switching PCIe express to M.2, was considering toggling hotplug and testing how the PC handles that.
So far have been able to boot with all 6 plugs, for some reason also including the PCIe express which from my understanding shouldn't work so perhaps I've not configured my bios properly?

My current running theory is a power issue, whether that be from the PSU itself or perhaps from the motherboard. I think I'm on the tipping point for power usage as a rough estimate of my power usage puts me at about 700watts from my understanding. I heard running CCOT can help determine if my power is insufficient but I don't fully understand what that program shows so have so far ignored it.

Any ideas as to what the issue might be would be much appreciated!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

read through your motherboard manual, especially added notes.

many times you will be sacrificing certain lanes of traffic by using different PCIe slots, M.2 ports, etc.

perhaps I've not configured my bios properly?

choosing to "Load Optimized Defaults" will usually set you up for basic higher-end system use.

if anything in your manual provides extra settings that may be necessary for your particular scenario,
then go in and change those values.

think I'm on the tipping point for power usage as a rough estimate of my power usage puts me at about 700watts from my understanding

your particular PSU has a lot to do with power usage, issues that may arise.

many units out there do not provide what they may state in the rated specs.
and even if they may under certain scenarios, with heavy usage and spikes from certain systems they still may not be able to handle the load.

 

[Bob.B]

Build info:
ASUS Z170-A
Intel i7-7700k
Nvidia 2070 Super
AORUS wifi card

Drives:
PCIe WD Black 2TB
HDD WD Black 4TB
HDD WD Green 1TB

System previously ran on a SATA SSD with 4 other SATA connections with no issue. Since installing the NVMe drive the system will run continuously but not post unless the only drive connected is the PCIe (some rogue cases where if the 1TB is connected with the PCIe it will boot, but not consistent). Currently having it run fine on only PCIe and have since updated all drivers and my BIOS.

I haven't touched BIOS settings too much besides switching PCIe express to M.2, was considering toggling hotplug and testing how the PC handles that.
So far have been able to boot with all 6 plugs, for some reason also including the PCIe express which from my understanding shouldn't work so perhaps I've not configured my bios properly?

My current running theory is a power issue, whether that be from the PSU itself or perhaps from the motherboard. I think I'm on the tipping point for power usage as a rough estimate of my power usage puts me at about 700watts from my understanding. I heard running CCOT can help determine if my power is insufficient but I don't fully understand what that program shows so have so far ignored it.

Any ideas as to what the issue might be would be much appreciated!

If using the sata express ports switch to the normal sata ports.....test.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Your motherboard manual will tell you which SATA ports are disabled when installing an NVME drive. If there are multiple slots then there will be additional restrictions applied.

 

[TwinKasai]

Your motherboard manual will tell you which SATA ports are disabled when installing an NVME drive. If there are multiple slots then there will be additional restrictions applied.

Yes I've already noted the disabled ports (SATA express X2 in this case)

Oddly the first time I managed to get my PC to run with all drives active was when I hail Mary plugged my drives into it, though that could be due to the sockets being disabled and thus while being detected wouldn't actually function as I didn't test files in them.

 

[TwinKasai]

read through your motherboard manual, especially added notes.

many times you will be sacrificing certain lanes of traffic by using different PCIe slots, M.2 ports, etc.


choosing to "Load Optimized Defaults" will usually set you up for basic higher-end system use.

if anything in your manual provides extra settings that may be necessary for your particular scenario,
then go in and change those values.


your particular PSU has a lot to do with power usage, issues that may arise.

many units out there do not provide what they may state in the rated specs.
and even if they may under certain scenarios, with heavy usage and spikes from certain systems they still may not be able to handle the load.

Load Optimized Defaults worked, thank you very much!
Such a simple fix for a very frustrating problem.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

Load Optimized Defaults worked, thank you very much!
Such a simple fix for a very frustrating problem.

you can choose that post as a "solution" for others that run into a similar issue and find this thread to see.

 

[Misgar]

System previously ran on a SATA SSD with 4 other SATA connections with no issue.

By my math, that means you were running 5 SATA devices.

When you fit an M.2. NVMe you lose the SATA Express ports SATA6G_1 and SATA6G_2, reducing the total number of motherboard SATA ports to 4.

From the manual page viii:
*** M.2 shares SATA mode with SATA Express. Change this item before installing M.2 SATA devices.

I also noted this on page vii:
* The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with SATA6G_56. The PCIe x16_3 is default set at x2 mode.

Not quite 100% standard English. Maybe something lost in translation? This might affect disk drives attached to SATA6G_5 and SATA6G_6 if you have a card plugged into slot PCIe x16_3.

The only SATA ports which remain unaffected by plugging in other devices appear to be SATA6G_3 and SATA6G_4.

You don't have enough PCIe lanes for all the "features" on the motherboad, so when you fit a new device, you may have to sacrifice an older device, i.e. you lose functionality of some of your SATA ports when you fit an M.2 drive or a card in PCIe x16_3.

I haven't touched BIOS settings too much besides switching PCIe express to M.2, was considering toggling hotplug and testing how the PC handles that.
So far have been able to boot with all 6 plugs, for some reason also including the PCIe express which from my understanding shouldn't work so perhaps I've not configured my bios properly?

After reading the manual I can see why you're getting confused. The antiquated terminology has got me confused too.

I think the setting below should be set to [Disabled] if you're not using RAID.

M.2 PCIE Storage RAID Support [Disabled]
This item allows you to enable or disable PCIE port to SATA for RAID Remapping.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

If you want to use an M.2 drive, I think the next setting should be set to [Disabled].

SATA6G_1(Gray) - SATA6G_6(Gray) [Enabled]
This item allows you to enable or disable the selected SATA port.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

I'm surprised the setting above is here. I have a similar board and when I fit an M.2 NVMe or M.2 SATA drive, the SATA Express ports are automatically disabled. No need to disable the SATA Express ports in the BIOS.


I doubt messing around with Hot Plug will make any difference, unless you have a Hot Swap (front panel mounted) drive bay and like to unplug hard disks or SATA SSDs with the computer switched on. I'd leave it set to [Disabled]

Hot Plug [Disabled]
These items appears only when the SATA Mode Selection is set to [AHCI] and allows
you to enable or disable SATA Hot Plug Support.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Glad you got it fixed.