x99E ITX/AC and Samsung SM951 M.2 SSD

Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=403
Printed Date: 17 Feb 2025 at 4:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: x99E ITX/AC and Samsung SM951 M.2 SSD

Posted By: JoeMamma!!
Subject: x99E ITX/AC and Samsung SM951 M.2 SSD
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 2:08am

I am building a new PC with the x99E ITX/AC and wondered if anyone has tried using a Samsung SM951 M.2 SSD with it? I looked at other forum posts for ASRock MBs using the Samsung XP941 (previous version) with success. The product user manual does list the SM951 as a supported module so I guess the real question is are there any issues encountered when using an M.2 SSD on this board minus a possible bios update.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Replies:

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 2:36am

Yes, you should be able to use the SM951 as a boot device with the X99E ITX/AC. If memory serves it does not even require a bios update as it is a new model released after the SM951. There is one update available to add support for larger memory modules however.

Posted By: Jcannon83
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 3:26am

Should I create a new thread? I didnt want to clutter the place up with the same issues.#

Xaltar, I can't install CPUz as I haven't got windows running just yet, Literally just turning the machine on the first time tonight.

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 3:30am

I made you your own thread http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=371&PID=1663&title=x99m-killer-sm951-boot-issues#1663" rel="nofollow - here and posted some instructions that are now moot as you have no OS installed yet.... lol

Posted By: JoeMamma!!
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 7:00am

Thanks Xaltar. Since my SM951 is the 512gb version I may need to update the bios. Do you know if it is hard to update the bios on the ASRock upfront without having an OS installed? This is a new build.

I am thinking about installing the M.2, powering up the computer and update bios before installing windows. Does this sound right?

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 11:55am

The SM951 should work on your board out of the box, the only difference between the different capacity drives is well, capacity. They use the same controller setup so you should be able to boot with it right off the bat. The easiest way to check is to hit F11 at post, if the drive is listed in the boot menu there is no need to update Wink

Updating the bios is quick and painless, just follow the instructions on the download page, there is an icon with a red medical looking cross on it in line with each bios version, clicking it will take you to an instruction page for that bios format. You will want the one for instant flash.

Posted By: JoeMamma!!
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 3:48pm

Hi Xaltar

I finished assembling my system, stuck my bootable windows 7 thumb drive in and booted right up. It loaded Windows right away on the SM951 right away. Thanks for your help and your advice.

Right now the only issue is that the 16gb of memory installed is only showing up as 8gb in Windows.

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 5:10pm

That is pretty odd, is it showing as 16gb in BIOS? I assume you are using a 4x4gb kit?

Posted By: Foosking
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 11:52pm

It cant be 4x4gb as it only has 2 ram slots.

(yes I joined the forum to correct you)

I am building a similar system and noticed on the storage support list for this mb there are no M.2 SSD's listed hence google brought me here.
I rather use the Intel 750 but dont have an open slot since I am using it for a video card.

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:00am

Thanks for the correction Foosking, I guess I saw X99 and my brain said quad channel.....

If you are wanting to install both an PCIE SSD and a GPU then http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=355&KW=split&PID=1593&title=pcie-bifurcation-in-z97eitxac#1593" rel="nofollow - this thread may be of interest to you.

@JoeMamma! Have you tested each RAM module individually to be sure both are working?

Posted By: Foosking
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:40am

I dont see any Mushkin listed on the ram compatibility chart. Also there is only 1 listing for an 8Gb single slot ram module Crucial BLS8G4D240FSA which makes it the only one to do 16Gb. Am I reading that correctly?

Mushkin 997205F Redline 16GB (2x8GB) 288Pin DDR4 SDRAM 3000 PC4-24000

will that work?

Bifurication wont work with my setup. Thanks for the info.

Posted By: odiebugs
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 1:03am

Welcome to board.

Please post model, which motherboard you have so someone can help better. Thank you.

I know only new X99 have DDR4, but still nice to know when you talk PCI-E config.

-------------
asrocking

Posted By: odiebugs
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 1:12am

To answer in the 2400MHz, no, there are more than one 16g, and even more throughout the 2100 - 2800 range. 2666MHz has a lot of 4X4 - 16g.

If you post here because of the model is same ok. But we not know for sure.

So it not get confusing, you better off make new post, so you know in future.

-------------
asrocking

Posted By: Foosking
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:47pm

In my first post I said I am building a similar system meaning this motherboard and SM951 ssd in the title. I am looking for compatible ram 16gb 3000-3200 2x8gb since this only has 2 ram slots. I want 32gb but cant find any that's non-ecc.

Posted By: JoeMamma!!
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 7:18am

Hi Xaltar,

I had a bad memory module. Soon as I put in a replacement it showed up.

On to the next issue though. Got Windows up and running. The Broadcom Wifi 802.11 ac drivers installed and I was connecting to my WiFi router. I think after some Windows updates or possibly an update I initiated manually, the Broadcom Wifi stopped working. Under device manager the wifi adapter showed up but had that yellow triangle with an error message (Code 10). I went through basic troubleshooting and eventually tried uninstalling the adapter in device manager and tried letting Windows reinstall the drivers. That didn't work so I uninstalled the adapter and deleted the drivers as well so I could reinstall them from scratch. That didnt work either. I also popped in a different wifi network adapter and there was no difference.

As it stands right now under Device Manager/Network Adapters it just shows "Network Controller" as if it is waiting for the correct driver. I have tried several times to re install the drivers for the wifi adapter, but it just stays stuck at "Host Controller"

Maybe there should be another post for x99E ITX/AC Windows PC Builds