Can this mobo support two M2 nvme drives at full speed?

What does from CPU vs from Z690 mean?

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144487?Item=N82E16813144487

Depends on how many cards you have connected to the PCIe slots, because the more cards installed the less PCIe lanes are left, and because NVMEs need lanes.

Let's make simpler assuming you have a single video card. In this case, YES, you can connect 2 NVME SSDs at full speed (PCIe 4.0, x4), along with 1 NVME SSD PCIe 3.0 x4. The other NVME slot from that motherboard is connected to PCIe lanes provided by the CPU (the answer to the other question). You should leave it empty, so it won't "steal" lanes from de video card, which is connected to lanes provided by the CPU, as per Z690 chipset diagram.

Sorry! Correcting my previous post: you can have up to 3 NVME 4.0 x4 at full speed on M.2 slots on that mobo. The 4 lanes ("x4") from the CPU for storage exist in addition to 16 lanes for the video card! So there's actually no problem to use slot M2_1 performance wise.

Slots:

M2_1 slot (From CPU): Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
M2_2 slot (From Z690 chipset): Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
M2_3 slot (From Z690 chipset): Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4
M2_4 slot (From Z690 chipset): Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4

PCI_E1: (From CPU): Support up to PCIe 5.0 x16
PCI_E2: (From Z690 chipset):Support up to PCIe 3.0 x1
PCI_E3: (From Z690 chipset): Support up to PCIe 3.0 x4
PCI_E4: (From Z690 chipset): Support up to PCIe 3.0 x1

 

The diagram shows 4 additional CPU lanes (which are used on slot M2_1 on the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk)

Edited January 9, 20224 yr by Emerson67

Thank you for all of that and the diagram!