MVE: PCIe slots to be used for best compatibility and other setup questions

[Stiffo]

Hello everyone,

I'll have my first ever ROG board in a few days (MVE), and hope to get a few thoughts answered until then - so I can assemble the best working config at once. I know that some motherboards in the past has been a bit sensitive to different pci configs. Alot of detailed questions follows, but if you're not sure about MVE, I'd be grateful for more general thoughts as well. I build a new system every 3-4 yrs, so not exactly a pro, rather noobish at PCIe building actually.

#1: First of, the manual says that a single graphics card should be installed in PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16/8_1 (the top one, like always). Now I got a huge Prolimatech Genesis heat sink that possibly will interfere with any card installed here. I can of course just cut of the heat sink fins a bit to make it fit. But seeing that the 2:nd PCIe (PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16/_2A) also runs at x16, can I use that one instead without penalties/problems?

#2: I also bought a Xonar Phoebus audio card. Where would you recommend putting it, in the PCIe 3.0/2.0 x8_4 (bottom one) slot?

#3: From the information that I can find, the ASMEDIA SATA controller/connectors do not support hot plugging, is that correct?
If that's the case I'm also considering buying a hot plug PCIe SATA controller (and then leave the ASMEDIA disabled to avoid conflicts). If you wonder why I need hot plugging, it is because I have bought a SATA power switch ( Lian Li BZ-H06B ) to be able to turn of all my storage HDD's when not used (computer is on 24/7).

Which PCIe slot would in that case be preferred for the SATA controller in combination with the soundcard and graphics, leaving physical space aside?

#4: I notice that the PCIe_x4_1 and PCIe_x8_2B slots are the only slots (except for the top x16/x8_1) listed as having shared IRQ's. I assume they should therefore be the last ones to be used, right?

#5: Regarding the "PCIe x16 Lane switch" - should that be left on for all slots in all configs (only to be used for troubleshooting?)? Or is there any compatibility/stability benefits by disabling unused slots?


Some extra questions if you can be bothered 😉

#6: The PCIe SATA controller I plan to buy is HighPoint Rocket 640L . Seeing that it has the Marvel 9230 chipset that ASUS uses on other Z77 boards it would seem compatible. Would this be a good choice compatibility wise (performance is not that important), or would you rather recommend some other controller to avoid any issues?

#7: As an option to an extra SATA controller, I might be using the motherboards "eSATA" SATA header (Intel controller) connected to a single internal HDD instead. As I assume that would work, am I also right that it would be hot pluggable?

#8: I assume there is no reason what so ever to connect the extra 6 pin power connector EZ_PLUG_1 when using a single GTX 690 card (slightly less power hungry than 2x 680 SLI). But on the other hand, there would be no downside connecting a surplus 6 pin there either, would it (except a minor airflow disturbance)?

#9: Likewise, the EZ_PLUG_2 connected would only be of any use if one uses a great number of power hungry USB devices I suppose. But if I connect the 6 pin mentioned above, why not tyrapping a [EDIT] floppy connector to it and plug that in as well?

Thank you for taking the time, really appreciated 😮