ASUS ROG Strix Z790 E Expansion slots

[graphic]

Hi all,

 It's been a while since I have been active here, after my x79 build....

    I think I know the answer but looking for reassurance,

    Please read bellow following the images.

Z790-chipset-blockdiagramMotherboard layout

    If I was to populate slot (3) PCIEX16(G5) and populate (6) M.2_2(SOCKET 3),

    will the  Graphics Card in PCIEX16(G5) still run at 16x lanes bandwidth ? 

    as the  M.2_2(SOCKET 3) is 4X lanes dedicated to the CPU.

    I would like to populate all four lower Sockets M.2_2, M.2_3, M.2_4 and M.2_5

    in a Raid configuration, hoping this suggestion would not affect the Graphics Card

   Running at 16X lanes.

   After doing some research I feel I should leave M.2_2 empty as this would leave

   4 free  lanes for the CPU.

   Having 3 X m.2 NVMe SSD's would work fine in say : RAID 1 or 5.

   Looking forward to seeing every ones responses.

  Kind Regards, Be Safe,

 Graphic

[JohnAb]

I think this video might be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av7iKQfFtaQ

I just copied the link from the other thread about this here: https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-700-600-series/z790-rog-strix-e-gen-5-m-2/td-p/896375

Oh, hold on, I was just about to give credit for the link and you provided it yourself! lol 

Sorry that I don't know enough about this subject to give a definitive answer....

[sworcester]

I think it is M 2.1, not M2.2 that you want to leave unpopulated. If I have the correct manual, the below is stated. Unfortunately, I can't find that FAQ. 

"Please check the PCIe bifurcation table
on the support site (https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1037507/).
* When M.21 is occupied with SSD device, PCIEX16(G5) will run x8 only.
To ensure compatibility of the device installed, please refer to https://www.asus.com/support/ for the list of supported peripherals."

[graphic]

Hello Sworcester, thanks for your response.

I did download the Strix Motherboard owners manual, and from my understanding,

you are correct.

I might be overthinking it, just wanted to be sure.

It would be great to know if by using all cpu lanes

ie : Graphics Card using 16 x  CPU lanes

and M.2_2 Using using 4 x Lanes dedicated to the CPU.

Would this configuration have a negative impact of the Cpu

Performance?

I'll have to do some more research!

Thanks

[sworcester]

M2_2 isn’t off the CPU, M2_1 is, so M2_2 won’t slow down the PCIEX16(G5)