Intel Motherboards - Asrock Z170 Pro4 and M.2 Socket limitation

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Asrock Z170 Pro4 and M.2 Socket limitation

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=574
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 2:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Asrock Z170 Pro4 and M.2 Socket limitation

Posted By: User
Subject: Asrock Z170 Pro4 and M.2 Socket limitation
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2015 at 7:36pm

On the http://asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z170%20Pro4/?cat=Specifications" rel="nofollow - specification page for the Asrock Z170 Pro4 motherboard it is stated:

If M2_1 is occupied by a SATA-type M.2 device, SATA3_0 and SATA3_1 will be disabled.

Does that mean that if PCIe type of SSD (such as Samsung SM951) is installed into motherboard's M.2 socket the SATA3_0 and SATA3_1 ports will be available for use and will NOT be disabled?

Replies:

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 1:03am

I doubt it. The device will still be using the slot so likely the same rules apply. Once the boards are in circulation we will know more.

Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 1:46am

User wrote:

On the http://asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z170%20Pro4/?cat=Specifications" rel="nofollow - specification page for the Asrock Z170 Pro4 motherboard it is stated:

If M2_1 is occupied by a SATA-type M.2 device, SATA3_0 and SATA3_1 will be disabled.

Does that mean that if PCIe type of SSD (such as Samsung SM951) is installed into motherboard's M.2 socket the SATA3_0 and SATA3_1 ports will be available for use and will NOT be disabled?

IMO the specs you quoted are correct. Meaning a PCIe SSD like the SM951 will not cause the two SATA3 ports to become disabled. But as Xaltar said, we won't know absolutely until we can test it.

I think the specs are correct because a PCIe and SATA type M.2 SSD have different "keys" in their connectors. So the board can tell which one is being used given the connector type.

PCIe SSDs don't use SATA resources, just PCIe lanes. Which is why I believe the specs are correct.

That's my wager, we will see eventually. Cool

EDIT: I'm sure a PCIe M.2 SSD in the M2_1 slot will not cause any SATA ports to become disabled on any Z170 board.

I can say that because I have a SM951 in a Z97 Extreme6 board's M2.1 slot now, and none of the SATA ports are lost/disabled. A PCIe SSD does not use any SATA resources, which is why the spec you quoted is written as it is.

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