M.2 SSD slot configuration AND using the PCIe x16

[trinlv]

Hello I need help trying to upgrade this little monster...

Ideally, I want to purchase a M.2 drive that is PCIe. Below is what I've found so far regarding my new desktop. Can I use the existing socket or do I need to purchase an adaptor similar to the "Addonics M2 PCIe SSD - PCIe 3.0 4-Lane Adapter" to go with my new SSD purchase? If I can use the existing M.2 socket with PCIe protocal, do I need to worry about B-Key versus M-Key?

Menlo Motherboard
Chipset: Intel H370
Memory sockets: 2 x DDR4 DIMM
One M.2 socket 3, 2280 type for SSD

M.2 host connectors will either be B-key or M-key based. They may support both SATA and PCIe protocol. Conversely, they may only support one of the two protocols.

Thanks!

Todd

[Maké]

Hi!, trinlv :

Your Desktop, is ... 

Product Number: 3LB72AA
Description: HP Slimline Desktop - 290-p0014

Have, PC-Board or Motherboard Menlo ... https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c05991290 

Have, processor and Heatsink ...

• Part No: L04996-001
• Description: Processor - IC,uP,CFL,i7-8700,3.2GHz,65W,12MB
• Rohs: Compliant

---

• Part No: L14644-001
• Description: Heatsink - 65w Menlo, Evans/Nelson
• Rohs: Compliant

Have, memory module ...

• Part No: 934254-800
• Description: Memory - GNRC RAM UDIMM 8G DDR4 1.2V 2666
• Rohs: Compliant/Exempted

You can only use with your Desktop ... two expansion slot's, as ...

Expansion Slots

• One M.2 socket 1, 2230 type for WLAN
• One M.2 socket 3, 2280 type for SSD

[trinlv]

Thanks for the info, but that's the Menlo motherboard information that I already put in my original posting. 

My questions are still unanswered.

[Maké]

You can use Intel Optane, from ... https://support.hp.com/nz-en/document/c05591811

[trinlv]

Thanks for the tip and an interesting configuration I had not thought about. Perhaps using Octane for my next desktop would be something to consider. For this one, I will not be doing any gaming, so an additional graphics card is not in my future. So giving up the only PCIe x16 slot to a SSD is OK by me. I just wanted to see if the exisiting M.2 slot is SATA or PCIe.

[trinlv]

Thanks for the tip and an interesting configuration I had not thought about. Perhaps using Octane for my next desktop would be something to consider. For this one, I will not be doing any gaming, so an additional graphics card is not in my future. So giving up the only PCIe x16 slot to a SSD is OK by me. I just wanted to see if the exisiting M.2 slot is SATA or PCIe.

[Maké]

Hi!, @trinlv :

Your Desktop haven't slot PCI. Only have M.2 2280 ... https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c05991290

You can purchase per example, from brand Crucial (by Micron), of 250Gb./500Gb./1Tb. as ... 

• Upgrade for: HP - Compaq HP Slimline 290-p0014
• Crucial part number: CT13106820
• Form Factor: M.2 Type 2280
• Total Capacity: 250GB
• Warranty: Limited 5-year
• Specs: M.2/NGFF (2280) Single Sided • 560MB/s Read, 510MB/s Write
• Series: MX500
• Product Line: Client SSD
• Interface: SATA 6.0Gb/s

You, can purchase too other brand's as ... Kingston, Samsung, ADATA, Corsair, Sandisk, Western Digital (WD), etc ...

[Grzwacz]

Greetings,

Welcome to the forum.

I am not an HP employee.

The Menlo motherboard will support PCIe 3.0x4 storage/boot devices. Many HP MBs only support PCIe in M.2 sockets because the SATA protocol will disable SATA ports. Many HP Mbs only have two or three SATA ports.

The M.2 slot will use available lanes on the chipset. 20 maximum PCIe 3.0 lanes are possible on the H370 chipset per Intel specs and 30 HSIO lanes are possible in total.

This means you can install a fast NVME storage drive and a graphics card if you need to. The graphics card can use the 1x16 slot HSIO lanes available from the CPU.

Regards

[trinlv]

Thanks for sending the requested information. I had assumed that the M.2 would most likely be SATA only, which wasn't my preferred configuration. Based upon your information, I ordered a "Samsung 970 EVO 500GB - NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 SSD". I'll update this thread in the coming days once the drive is received and installed. 

Thanks again!!

[Grzwacz]

Hi trinlv,

You're very welcome.

Let the forum knows how it goes.

I just installed a 970. Very fast.

Regards