Aurora R7, M2.2280 SSD Slot Clarification

Question

I see from other answers on this topic that a NVME PCIe SSD will work.

However, in looking at the Aurora R7 Setup and Specifications PDF document, it shows that the M2.2280 slot appears to be limited to 2TB and SATA ACHI 6Gbps (I don't know what the U.2 drive is, but that is showing compatible with NVME PCIe up to 32 Gbps, but limited capacity of 280GB drive).

Does this mean that you do not get the benefit of faster read/write speeds yielded by the NVME PCIe SSD's, and so I should just look for a SATA 6Gbps SSD in the M2.2280 form factor? (i.e. is it a waste of money to get the more expensive NVME, PCIe SSDs as this document seems to indicate that slot is only SATA 6Gbps?)

I would like to use this drive for Windows as well as all applications, programs and games - will be looking at getting a 2TB (although a 1TB should suffice...).

Thank you for your time!

r72019 · Accepted Answer

My R7 with three m2 nvme drives, two installed via adapter (pcie is bootable too btw) BEFOREAFTERSamsung 970 EvoSM961PM981

speedstep · Answer

U2 is totally different interface

U.2, formerly known as SFF-8639 is SAS and its NOT M2 SATA (it can be converted to PCI-E M2 with an adapter and cable but not sata M2)

Capacity is limited by how much money you have in your wallet.

M2 PCI-E to U2 conversion

http://www.amphenol-datacenter.com/SFF-8639PCIe.htm

Drive end and MOBO end

U2 Drive with PCI-E M2 on it

speedstep · Answer

M2 is not a drive specification its a connector.

B keyed M2 drives are SATA AHCI

M key only drives are PCI-E

My dell shipped with SATA M2 that I replaced with a samsung 970 M2 PCI-E. Some boards take either type in the slot using interposer board or directly. Ask @DELL-Chris M

https://www.amazon.com/JacobsParts-Adapter-Desktop-Express-Minimalist/dp/B07PYHVXJS/

M2 Keying

You can get a board that takes either but how you get to the rest depends on SATA vs PCI=E

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-advanced-solution-Controller-Expansion/dp/B07JKH5VTL/

SATA cable required for B keyed M2

ryu9 · Answer

Here is the excerpt from the manual I am referring to which seems to indicate the M2.2280 slot is only SATA.

r72019 · Answer

I suspect the setup and specifications section you noted was a carryover from the prior gen, since the Aurora R7 was sold stock with m2 nvme drives. Also note the service manual notes support for booting from the nvme drive (which I can also confirm, can boot from m2 or pcie slots).

ryu9 · Answer

@r72019 Wow, very nice and good to know.  What RAM do you have installed there btw?

r72019 · Answer

The hyperx 2933 was replaced by the 3000 at the end of 2019. The 3000 has an updated heat spreader and tighter timings. I haven't tried the 3000 in the R7.  I've seen mixed results reported on 3200.  Good luck with your upgrades!

r72019 · Answer

Kingston retail hyperX fury 2933 64gb (16 x 4). You should be able to run 3200 sticks too but it gets picky.

r72019 · Answer

It supports up to pcie 3.0 speeds.  Unfortunately, neither the board or the cpu supports 4.0 speeds.It shouldn't make a difference, even 10th gen intel comet lake cpus don't support pcie 4.0 speed yet.

ryu9 · Answer

Thanks!  You've really put a lot into your rig - what do you mainly use it for?

ryu9 · Answer

@r72019 Ah okay, unfortunately I can't seem to find the 2933's so I've got my eye on the 2666's.  Looks like there's 3000mhz, but not sure if i want to risk it.  Thanks for all the helpful info, glad to hear from a fellow r7 owner.

r72019 · Answer

@ryu9 The aurora R7 accepts m2 nvme pcie in the m2 slot.  I get over 3k mbs read speed.

ryu9 · Answer

@r72019 thanks for the info. Do you know if this will work, it's PCIe Gen4 which not sure if this mobo will take full advantage of.

https://www.newegg.com/seagate-firecuda-520-2tb/p/N82E16820248109?Item=N82E16820248109

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Aurora R7, M2.2280 SSD Slot Clarification

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