PSA: STRIX Z790-E M.2_1 forces PCIEX16(G5) to run x8 only

[JonInVA]

My STRIX Z790-E arrived today, and while I love the motherboard so far I clearly did not read the fine print:

https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z790-e-gaming-wifi-model/spec/

** When M.2_1 is occupied with SSD device, PCIEX16(G5) will run x8 only.

This strikes me as pretty big limitation. Yes, you can put your PCIE4 SSD into the M.2_2 slot (allowing the PCIEX16(G5) slot to run at x16) and it will still be connected to the CPU, not the Z790 chipset.

BUT, this means you can never run a PCIE5 GPU at x16 with a PCIE5 SSD at x4 on this motherboard. If you put any SSD at all into M.2_1, it drops the big dog PCIE5 x16 lane slot down to x8 lanes. And only the M.2_1 slot is PCIE5 SSD ready.

This is all moot for not, because there are no PCIE5 SSDs yet. But I was really hoping this motherboard would be a bit more future-proof. If you ever want to run a PCIE5 SSD in this motherboard, you have to use that M.2_1 slot and doing so robs the GPU slot of 8 lanes.

Not to mention that the M.2_1 slot on this board has the best heat sink out of all 5 M.2 slots.

So now I've got my SSD in M.2_2 while my 4090 uses all x16 lanes sitting in the only x16 slot on the board. I guess when PCIE5 SSDs finally arrive and are actually worth upgrading to, I'll end up with a new motherboard. Ah, well.

Read that fine print!

[Shreve]

Doesnt solve for the Gen 5 issue, but this is why I choose the Hero. At least it appears that I can fill the 3 onboard M.2 with Gen 4's and not impact the GPU

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?130891-Z790-Hero-M-2-configuration-with-a-RTX-4090

My board arrived today, but the CPU doesnt get here until next week.

[Merkor]

I think, this could be an error on the Z790-E product site. When you have a look at the Z790-F specs, this "fine print" is not listed:

https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z790-f-gaming-wifi-model/spec/

Since the F-version should be inferior, I guess someone made a mistake for the better E-version.

But I really would see a clarification. The manual is not available yet...

[Rcmorr09]

I wonder if the card could still run in 16x if both the card and ssd are only running 4x.

[petergo76]

Same here i have  STRIX Z790-E  did find  any solution ? is different motherboards have same configuration ? or may is better option i dont i i will keep that motherboard . Is second version of Z790-E II