N3700-ITX - SSD via pcie?

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   I'd like to add a small 16-32gb SDD to the N3700-ITX.  Can I plug this into the PCI-E or mini-PCI-E connectors on the motherboard?  I would prefer not to use a 2.5" SSD in a drive bay.
It is confusing when reading on the internet, if PCI-E will support SSD (or msataSSD), saying a SATA chip is required on the PCI-E.  Also, the owners manual says mini-pic-e is for Wireless LAN only.  Is that true?

Any info here or recommendation on a type/model that is known to work, would be great.

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zigzag930 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2015 Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote zigzag930 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: N3700-ITX - SSD via pcie? Posted: 08 Dec 2015 at 11:57pm
	I'd like to add a small 16-32gb SDD to the N3700-ITX. Can I plug this into the PCI-E or mini-PCI-E connectors on the motherboard? I would prefer not to use a 2.5" SSD in a drive bay. It is confusing when reading on the internet, if PCI-E will support SSD (or msataSSD), saying a SATA chip is required on the PCI-E. Also, the owners manual says mini-pic-e is for Wireless LAN only. Is that true? Any info here or recommendation on a type/model that is known to work, would be great.

BGChicago Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote BGChicago Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 8:50am
	I have the same question. Did you ever figure it out. Are there any officials from ASRock on this forum?

parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 12:02pm
	The mini-PCIe slot can be used with wireless WiFi cards with that interface only. It cannot be used with a SATA device. As the manual states: MINI_PCIE1 (mini-PCIe slot) is used for WiFi module.


BGChicago Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote BGChicago Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Mar 2016 at 11:00am
	What about the PCI-E ? The manual doesn't mention anything about that.

parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Mar 2016 at 12:31pm
	PCIe SSDs used with this board? Let's see, from the board's specs: 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slot That's a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot, or one PCIe 2.0 lane connected to this slot. The Samsung M.2 PCIe SSDs are almost all PCIe 3.0 x4 devices, requiring 4 lanes for their full performance. The Samsung XP941 is a PCIe 2.0 x4 drive, still using 4 lanes. All the Intel PCIe SSDs are PCIe 3.0 x4 drives. There are a few PCIe 2.0 x2 and PCIe 2.0 x4 SSDs, such as the Plextor M6E, and Kingston HyperX Predator. The N3700-ITX board is simply not meant to support these SSDs. A board's specifications tell us what options or features the board has to offer, not what it cannot do. If a feature or capability is not listed in the specifications, it is safe to assume it is not supported.


BGChicago Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote BGChicago Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Mar 2016 at 8:56pm
	Thank you. You have no idea how often you can find hidden features that are not advertised from the manufacturers so they can deny support but they actually work. No obviously, the PCI-E is limited but untill someone tries the miniPCIE - you never know.