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Using MSI xpander in z370 board?

jallenlabs

jallenlabs

Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
602 (0.15/day)
Location
Midwest USA
System Specs
System Name FXR
Processor Intel 12900k @ 5.4/4.1
Motherboard MSI z690 Tomahawk
Cooling Custom H20
Memory GSkill 64GB 3600 cas 15 b die
Video Card(s) EVGA 1660ti
Storage Optane 900p x2, SK Hynix p31 Pro
Display(s) TCL 43" microled 4k HDR
Case Phanteks Evolv X with all Arctic/Thermaltake fans
Audio Device(s) Focusrite interface, Presonus Studio Monitors and Subwoofer
Power Supply Seasonic 850w plat with cable mod cables
Mouse Glorious Model O
Keyboard Havit mech
Software Win 11 Pro
Im looking at adding more m.2s to my workstation. I can pick up an MSI xpander for 58 bucks on ebay. Question is, if I only fill two of the slots (because my board is 2x8pcie), will it work? I know I need VROC or AMD to run the full 4 m.2s, but I only wanna run two. Will this work?
Specs
Intel 8700k
ASRock Fatal1ty z370 board
RTX 2060 in top slot.

Thanks in advance.
 
I shouldn't see any problems using only two NVMe drives the MSI site itself say upto 5 drives so you should be good for 1,2,3,4 or 5 NVMe SSD's although 1 wont give you raid two or more will but ebven on a raid controller you can run a drive as a single drive there's "no you must use two drives in raid requirement" as far as I can see
 
I don't need RAID, just want more expansion and this is a pretty cool way to do it... if it works.
 
It probably won't.
MSI Xpander Aero is only compatible with X299 and only with Z370 Godlike, and the reason why is bifurcation.
X299 supports it natively, Z370 Godlike has some workaround with PCIe switches and software, and Z370 by itself can only do x8/x8 only on x16 slot. since you already have a GPU in it, I doubt it'll work or detect anything, or maybe just one of your SSDs. It may work on AMD, though.
 
I thought maybe since it will see 8 lanes that maybe two m.2s would take 4 lanes each. I don't need to fill all of the slots and to do so, yeah, you need hedt. I know about bifurcation. I was just hoping two would work. The card has no chips or controllers, so I guess I thought it just split to 4x 4 lanes then I could use two of them.

At 58 bucks I may just pull the trigger to find out.
 
jallenlabs said:
At 58 bucks I may just pull the trigger to find out.
Click to expand...
I'd keep it too. Even if it doesn't work, it'll be handy on your next upgrade (x570 or whatever comes next).
 
Bifurcation is a tricky topic on mainstream Intel platforms. Motherboard has to be designed with it in mind to have this configurable. Otherwise, the only thing left is shorting pads under the cpu.

On AM4 this is much better, and even older, entry boards allow for setting 4x4 (with gigabyte being proud and lazy exception).
 
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