PCIe version and support for NVMe SSD

[Duiyi19]

Hello, 

I have a question about whether my OMEN desktop supports NVMe PCIe v4 SSD? My machine is OMEN by HP Obelisk Desktop PC - 875-1040st CTO purchased in 2019. Its configuration is listed here: OMEN by HP Obelisk Desktop PC - 875-1040st CTO Product Specifications and Configurable Options | HP®...

In the Expansion Slots row, it says the following:

• PCIe x16 (Gen 3): 1
• M.2 socket 1, key A: 1
• M.2 socket 3, key M: 2 (one for SSD card PCIe x4)

I believe the first item PCIe x16 (Gen 3) is for graphics card, but I'm not sure about the last two: do they support PCIe v4 M.2 NVMe SSDs?

Thank you!

[BeemerBiker · Accepted solution]

Your system is based on Intel z390 chipset which is gen3

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/133293/intel-z390-chipset/specifications.html

Any well designed gen4 M.2 SSD (for example) will be backwards compatible with an older gen3 motherboard designed for a gen3 M.2

Same for a gen4 video board put into a gen3 x16 socket.

[erico]

Ok.
Your question: " I have a question about whether my OMEN desktop supports NVMe PCIe v4 SSD?"

Yes. It does have support for a product such as "Samsung 256GB PM991 NVME PCIe M.2 Solid State Drive/SSD V4" when placed in an M.2 socket with an  M key. The bandwidth of the SSD will be higher if placed in a card socket specifically designated for PCIe x4.

• PCIe x16 (Gen 3): 1  Graphics cards and M.2 SSD on a PCIe adapter
• M.2 socket 1, key A: 1  M.2 Wifi modules
• M.2 socket 3, key M: 2 (one for SSD card PCIe x4)  Both M.2 slots support PCIe v4 M.2 NVMe SSDs. The difference between them is as I described above.