NVME shows pcie 1.0x2 instead pcie 3x4

[beast00773]

hi guys, i have a question about my HP Notebook 15-gw0xxx(Product number1E411AV) does support nvme ssd because my notebook have m2 PCIE Slot but when i install samsung nvme mzvlw128hegr-000l1 Crystal disk info shows SSD running at pcie 1.0x2 and ssd bechmark show only 480mb/s only and there is no pcie configuration settings in bios please help community.

[Irfan_06]

Hi @beast00773,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to assist you.

It seems like your HP Notebook 15-gw0xxx supports NVMe SSDs but is not utilizing the full PCIe bandwidth. This issue could be due to several factors. Here's how to address it:

1. Check Laptop's PCIe Lane Support

• Many entry-level laptops have M.2 slots that are only wired for PCIe 2.0 x2 or PCIe 1.0 x2 lanes to save costs.
• Refer to the official service manual or specifications of your laptop to confirm whether the M.2 slot supports PCIe 3.0 x4.

2. BIOS/UEFI Configuration

• Some BIOS versions may limit PCIe lane configuration. If your BIOS does not offer a PCIe configuration setting:
  • Check for a BIOS update on the HP Support website.
  • Update to the latest BIOS version if available, as this may resolve compatibility or configuration issues.

3. Drive Compatibility

• The Samsung PM961 (MZVLW128HEGR) is an older NVMe drive that is PCIe 3.0 compliant but could still default to a lower link speed due to:
  • Compatibility with the motherboard or the NVMe controller.
  • Power management settings that limit performance.

4. Power Saving Settings

• Ensure that Windows power settings are configured for high performance:
  • Open Control Panel > Power Options.
  • Select or create a High Performance plan.
  • Under advanced settings, ensure that PCI Express > Link State Power Management is set to Off.

5. Driver Updates

• Install the Samsung NVMe driver for the PM961 from Samsung's website if available.
• Update the Intel or AMD chipset drivers for your laptop, as they can influence PCIe performance.

6. M.2 Slot Wiring Limitation

• If the M.2 slot is physically wired to run only at PCIe 1.0 x2, there isn't much you can do to improve the bandwidth.
• Verify this by reaching out to HP Support or consulting the service manual.

7. Alternative Storage Solutions

If the M.2 slot is permanently limited to PCIe 1.0 x2, consider:

• Using a SATA SSD instead if the performance difference is negligible in your daily usage.
• Opting for external storage if more bandwidth is critical for your workload.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support