Hi,

Recently, I built a system for myself using an ASRock Z170 Gaming ITX/ac motherboard.  For an operating (Win10) system drive, I installed a Samsung SM951, 256GB M.2 PCIe 3.0 NVMe stick.  This stick drive installs on the back of the motherboard in an M.2 slot.  The computer is working properly.  Fast, too.

I'm now thinking about building a system for my son using the same motherboard.  For an operating system drive, for this build, I would like to use a 2.5" PCIe NVMe 3.0 x 4 SSD.  The motherboard has a SATA and SATA Express connectors that will accommodate such a drive, using the proper cable of course.

I looked around for such a 2.5" drive, and I found slim pickings.  The few available seem to be geared toward enterprise customers, and very expensive.

On Newegg I found one that is somewhat affordable.  It's an Intel 750 2.5" 400 GB NVMe 3.0 x 4 MLC for $380, with a free U.2 connector (not a SATAe cable connector).  That free cable would need to be connected to the back of the motherboard I plan to use.  I suppose I could find the proper cable to connect it to the SATAe connectors on the top of the motherboard, so no big problem there.

Anyway, here is my question:  Has anyone found more choices for such 2.5" PCIe NVMe 3.0 x 4 SSDs?  If so, please share the information.  I know, there is no end of the choices for 2.5" SATA III SSDs.

Thanks,

Dan

Well, I looked around some more on the Internet using Google.  I've concluded there is no such drive as that which I was looking for.  That is, a SATAe SSD that uses all three such SATA Express ports on my motherboard.  That Intel 750 drive I was looking at on Newegg seems not to be designed for use with the SATAe ports, as best I can tell.

Asus had, or has, a prototype drive, its Hyper Express SSD, but seems nothing has come of that device, at least not that I could find.  I didn't find it for sale anywhere.

That Asus Hyper Express drive would connect to the SATA Express ports on my motherboard, described above.  That's the port with two regular SATA ports and another small port, for a total of three ports.  I never did figure out what that extra third port is for.

That type connection doesn't provide the bandwidth that any PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 connected drive would provide.  I suppose that's the reason nothing has become of SATA Express drives.  Anyone have any insight into this situation?

I'm always looking for good information.

Thaks,

Dan

I've been thinking again, dangerous I know.  Here's what I'm thinking:  I like the idea of the Intel 750 SSD, which requires an U.2 connection on the motherboard.

My motherboard, being a small form factor, has the M.2 socket on the underside.  Thus it seems there is no room to attach an adapter card for a U.2 to M.2 conversion.

What I would need is an extension cable that would extend from under the motherboard.  The cable would have a M.2 plug and one end and the U.2 port on the other end.

This cable would replace the U.2 to M.2 adapter card.  Now I could connect the Intel 750 to the U.2 port end of the cable that extends from under the board. 

I searched the Internet using Google, but I found no such cable.  Anyone know of such a cable? 

Dan

I found a Mini-ITX motherboard with a U.2 connector on top of the motherboard.  It's the Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact.  The bad news is that it costs $249.  So, I suppose if one has a Mini-ITX board and needs, or wants, to use a SSD that requires a U.2 connection, then that board appears to be the only choice available at this time.

All other Mini-ITX boards that I've seen only have a M.2 connector on the underside, making attaching a U.2 to M.2 adapter problematic for lack of clearance.  Maybe one could modify how the motherboard is secured to the case to get by this clearance problem, and thus use a U.2 to M.2 adapter anyway.

I'll keep this Asus board in mind.

Dan

Parsec,

Yeah, one has to deal with compromises, all right, when using Mini-ITX systems.  I like those systems for several reasons, chief among them is the aesthetics, a personal judgment to be sure.

I like the way I can place the small case laying flat on my desktop with the monitor sitting on top of it.  Looks nice to me.  In addition, access to the power button, some USB ports and the CD/DVD ROM drive are all right in front of me, no need to reach these items on a case sitting elsewhere.

These cases do have limitations, though.  Everything in the case fits close to everything else.  One has to be willing to deal with limited access when building such a system.  Sausage fingers are not a plus.  Ha!  There are other limitations, as well, as one can see from my comments in this thread.

Even so, these limitations can be overcome to the point of ending with a system that can work well for many people.  One problem that cannot be overcome is if one prefers using multiple video cards.  In such a case, a Mini-ITX system is out of the question.  It all comes down to what one is trying to achieve.

Anyway, I recently put together a Mini-ITX system using a Samsung SM951 NVMe M.2 3.0 x4 SSD, connected to the underside of a ASRock Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac motherboard (Windows 10 Home).  I know little about speed issues with this drive, but I did a Crystal Disk speed test to see what results it showed.

I don't really understand the results.  I'll post a picture of it here for all to see and to comment on as they may wish.  Here is the link:  (I'm getting an error when making the link.  I'll finish this post now to see what the link looks like and return to fix any problem with it, if possible.)

Dan

I found the option to Edit.  The Tree icon doesn't work when I click on it.  Here is the direct like I copied from the image site and pasted here:

Thanks, Parsec, for the clarification.  I'm satisfied with those results for my Samsung SM951 SSD, hanging out on the back side of my motherboard.  I hope it doesn't feel discriminated against being relegated to such a seat in the rear.  Maybe someday it can sit in the front, with all the other SSDs.  A bigger motherboard could do the trick. 

Dan

Parsec,

My Samsung SM951 SSD never runs hot, likely owing to me not stressing it much.  If I had a reason to push it hard, I'd do it, but I don't so I just run it normally.  It runs cool.

I use Speed Fan to monitor and to control those hardware items that Speed Fan can access.  Of course, hardware items must have sensors for Speed Fan to read to give results.

Here is a picture of my Speed Fan Readings tab, showing the fan speeds, voltages and temperatures of those items.  The Samsung SM951 is identified by the red arrow on the right (HD1).:

I like using Speed Fan.  A user must configure it to get the proper results.

Dan

Edit:  I notice the image is too small to see.  I'll try to post a better picture, if I can figure out how to do it.

Try copying and pasting the following direct link to your browser address window to the image site to get a larger image: