I have an older PC that still performs well for gaming, but I'm starting to have issues with my Toshiba P300 HDD making unusual noises and occasional hiccups when loading games. I'm considering upgrading to an M.2 NVMe SSD for better performance, but I'm unsure if a modern NVMe drive will fit and work with my ASRock Z97 Pro4 motherboard. I know it only supports PCIe 2.0 x2 speeds, which won't be ideal since I might not get the full benefit of a newer drive. I've been looking at options like the SanDisk SN7100, Samsung 970/990, and Kingston KC3000, but I've come across mixed information online about compatibility and potential issues like disabling PCIe lanes for my GPU. Additionally, do I need a heatsink for these NVMe drives if I'm going to use it mostly for gaming?
2 Answers
Yes, a modern NVMe M.2 SSD can work with the ASRock Z97 Pro4, but keep in mind that it won't perform at full potential due to the PCIe 2.0 x2 limitation. You'll max out around 1GB/s, but it will definitely be faster than your current HDD! Just ensure the SSD has an M key and is 80mm long for compatibility. Also, all PCIe generations are backward compatible, so Gen 3 or newer drives should still fit and function, albeit at reduced speeds.
You're correct in thinking that price matters! If you're concerned about compatibility, picking up a drive like the Sandisk SN7100 or Lexar NM790 should be safe bets. About the heatsink, since you're running at PCIe 2.0 speeds, it’s generally not necessary, but if you're worried about heat, you can always add a cheap one just for peace of mind.
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