Question Regarding Maximus Z790 Apex Encore ROG DIMM.2 ( Please Help)

[I-Siamak-I]

Hello everyone, 

I just need some advise on how to setup my SSDs for best performance. I have 3 Gen 4 SSDs

1. 4TB Nvme for OS boot drive

2. 8TB Nvme for Games

3. 8TB Nvme for Data

I also have a RTX 4090 which I intend to run it at 16x Speed so the question is?

1. Should I use M2_2 and M2_3 for OS and Games and put the 3rd Nvme on the DIMM.2 card?

2. or is it best to put OS and Games Drive on the DIMM.2 Drive and install the Data drive on M2_2?

3. Will using 2 Nvme drives on DIMM.2 card limit the speeds of the drives or limit the speed of GPU?

[JohnAb]

I was looking at the manual the other day, As long as you avoid M.2_1, then the GPU should run at 16x. All other slots are Gen 4, so it really shouldn't matter where you put the SSDs in terms of what they contain. You will just need to select the correct boot drive in BIOS, but Windows should sort that out for you anyway. If you use the DIMM.2 card, it needs to be enabled in BIOS. 

[I-Siamak-I]

Is it recommended to use the DIMM.2 Slot for 2 of the Nvme drives or its best to use the M.2_2 and M.2_3 first then populate the last drive in the DIMM.2?

[JohnAb]

As far as I'm aware, it doesn't matter. However, I think I'd be tempted to put your OS drive on the motherboard (maybe M.2_2) and then put your other two drives on the DIMM.2 card.

One advantage of this is that you can install the OS, make sure everything is working and then add the DIMM.2 afterwards followed by enabling in BIOS. Sometimes it's easier just to have the OS drive installed when setting up Windows, it helps to avoid confusion, both for you and for Windows. 

NOTE the manual clearly states that the power must be completely OFF when adding the DIMM.2 card, so just be sure to do that. Best to pull out the power lead to be sure. I don't have a DIMM.2 myself, but I've never heard of any issues. 

[Silent_Scone]

I tend to opt for the DIMM.2 as the two drives can be actively cooled with a fan along with the memory.

[MrAgapiGC]

Very easy

For the Z790 apex encore as follow. (all info is on the manual btw)

Avoid M2_1: drop the gpu to 8x. So forget that is there.

M2_2 is direct wire to CPU Up to gen4. and is the one you use for the os.

M2_3 is direct wire to chipset Up to gen4.

Dim board is chipset control Up to Gen4 on both rails.