Z790 Hero - M.2 configuration with a RTX 4090

[Shreve]

Hi,

Wanted to make sure that I understood this correctly. If my goal is to have the RTX 4090 run at x16 and my M.2 drives to run at x4; I could do the following.....

1) Install 4090 into the PCIEX16(G5)_1 slot - And get x16
2) Install a boot drive Gen 4 SSD into the CPU Lane driven M.2_1 Socket - And get x4 with no impact to the gpu
3) Install a storage drive into the chipset driven M.2_2 Socket - Get gen 4 speeds with no impact to the gpu
4) Install a storage drive into the chipset driven M.2_3 Socket - Get gen 4 speeds with no impact to the gpu

This should get me all the storage that I need as I do not have any interest in using the ROG Hyper Card at this time.

I appreciate the help

[JohnAb]

Yes, that's exactly what I would do. Should be all good, so I say go for it!

[PuweY]

Shreve wrote:
Hi,

Wanted to make sure that I understood this correctly. If my goal is to have the RTX 4090 run at x16 and my M.2 drives to run at x4; I could do the following.....

1) Install 4090 into the PCIEX16(G5)_1 slot - And get x16
2) Install a boot drive Gen 4 SSD into the CPU Lane driven M.2_1 Socket - And get x4 with no impact to the gpu
3) Install a storage drive into the chipset driven M.2_2 Socket - Get gen 4 speeds with no impact to the gpu
4) Install a storage drive into the chipset driven M.2_3 Socket - Get gen 4 speeds with no impact to the gpu

This should get me all the storage that I need as I do not have any interest in using the ROG Hyper Card at this time.

I appreciate the help

Point 2) is wrong:
If you install any M.2 drive SSD into the CPU Lane driven M.2_1 Socket, you GPU will not run at x16 anymore, it will just run x8, so that's the impact in your case.
M.2_1 shares Bandwith with your first PCIEX16(G5)_1 Slot, also PCIEEX16(G5)_2 will be completely disabled.

You should install your M.2 Boot Drive into M.2_2 Socket to keep your GPU @ x16
and use M.2_3 Socket for your Data/Gaming SSD

It's the same like on a Z690 Mainboard:
I have one and can really confirm it. Don't use M.2_1 if you want your GPU @ x16

Here's also a link to an older thread as a proof:
https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?126976-Z690-Extreme-PCIEX-16X_1-lanes-at-8x-if-I-use-M-2_1

[Shreve]

PuweY wrote:
Point 2) is wrong:
If you install any M.2 drive SSD into the CPU Lane driven M.2_1 Socket, you GPU will not run at x16 anymore, it will just run x8, so that's the impact in your case.
M.2_1 shares Bandwith with your first PCIEX16(G5)_1 Slot, also PCIEEX16(G5)_2 will be completely disabled.

You should install your M.2 Boot Drive into M.2_2 Socket to keep your GPU @ x16
and use M.2_3 Socket for your Data/Gaming SSD

It's the same like on a Z690 Mainboard:
I have one and can really confirm it. Don't use M.2_1 if you want your GPU @ x16

Here's also a link to an older thread as a proof:
https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?126976-Z690-Extreme-PCIEX-16X_1-lanes-at-8x-if-I-use-M-2_1

Many thanks for the reply gents....

I think one of the key differences between the Z790 and Z690 is the PCIE Lanes though. I believe that you can get all 20 lanes from the CPU now so the old situation with the z690 isnt true anymore

[Rcmorr09]

Shreve wrote:
Many thanks for the reply gents....

I think one of the key differences between the Z790 and Z690 is the PCIE Lanes though. I believe that you can get all 20 lanes from the CPU now so the old situation with the z690 isnt true anymore

I understand it the same as you. I believe you only get 8x for the gpu when you use a pci express gen 5 drive as it automatically takes 8x.

[Shreve]

Yeah, I think we are right.

Went thru the manual again and it seems to support the approach. If I'm misunderstanding it, plz advise

Thx

[Daytrader]

PuweY wrote:
Point 2) is wrong:
If you install any M.2 drive SSD into the CPU Lane driven M.2_1 Socket, you GPU will not run at x16 anymore, it will just run x8, so that's the impact in your case.
M.2_1 shares Bandwith with your first PCIEX16(G5)_1 Slot, also PCIEEX16(G5)_2 will be completely disabled.

You should install your M.2 Boot Drive into M.2_2 Socket to keep your GPU @ x16
and use M.2_3 Socket for your Data/Gaming SSD

It's the same like on a Z690 Mainboard:
I have one and can really confirm it. Don't use M.2_1 if you want your GPU @ x16

Here's also a link to an older thread as a proof:
https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?126976-Z690-Extreme-PCIEX-16X_1-lanes-at-8x-if-I-use-M-2_1

So you was wrong after all then, im thinking you meant the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E, the hero does not have that problem.

[Sprayingmango]

This is the same behavior as the Z690 board which I have. If you install ANYTHING into the top M.2 slot, it gimps your GPU.

[Skhitzo]

I just tested my card with an nvme in each of those slots and it stayed at x16 regardless.

[Shreve]

Skhitzo wrote:
I just tested my card with an nvme in each of those slots and it stayed at x16 regardless.

You have a z790 board already?