Hello,
MOBO Manual: https://download.asrock.com/Manual/ROMED8-2T.pdf
The TL;DR is I would really love to use 2x NVME M2 drives and both MINI SAS HDD ports (so all 8 SATA ports) with this MOBO. Is this possible?
It looked like based on the manual it was not possible, as using one of the M2 ports would force me to disable one of the MINI SAS HDD ports, forcing me to choose between either 2 M2 drives or both MINI SAS HDD's.
This is the relevant manual page about jumper settings to pick and choose what is enabled/disabled: And here is the block diagram also showing same thing:
So I had the bright idea to "just use OCuLink" (which I had never heard of before buying this MOBO) to expand an extra M2 slot. That way I can still use M2_1 and all 8 SATA drives, and then add a second M2 via OCuLink. So, I set my jumpers appropriately: , and then bought one of these OCuLink to M2 NVME cards: (Amazon link to it, and amazon link to cable used with it). Unfortunately, there is no sign of this OCuLinked M2 drive anywhere in BIOS or in OS, so I am assuming there are some sort of specifics I am unfamiliar with regarding what is actually supported with this MOBO's OCuLink ports.
This seems supported by another post here which says something about the OCuLink ports on this MOBO only being compatible with specific cables and only working with specific drives (U2 drives only)?
Anyway, I am just looking for any advice on how to properly use the OCuLink ports and what my options are with them, or how else I can properly expand so I can use both M2 ports on the board along with 8+ sata ports.
MOBO Manual: https://download.asrock.com/Manual/ROMED8-2T.pdf
The TL;DR is I would really love to use 2x NVME M2 drives and both MINI SAS HDD ports (so all 8 SATA ports) with this MOBO. Is this possible?
It looked like based on the manual it was not possible, as using one of the M2 ports would force me to disable one of the MINI SAS HDD ports, forcing me to choose between either 2 M2 drives or both MINI SAS HDD's.
This is the relevant manual page about jumper settings to pick and choose what is enabled/disabled: And here is the block diagram also showing same thing:
So I had the bright idea to "just use OCuLink" (which I had never heard of before buying this MOBO) to expand an extra M2 slot. That way I can still use M2_1 and all 8 SATA drives, and then add a second M2 via OCuLink. So, I set my jumpers appropriately: , and then bought one of these OCuLink to M2 NVME cards: (Amazon link to it, and amazon link to cable used with it). Unfortunately, there is no sign of this OCuLinked M2 drive anywhere in BIOS or in OS, so I am assuming there are some sort of specifics I am unfamiliar with regarding what is actually supported with this MOBO's OCuLink ports.
This seems supported by another post here which says something about the OCuLink ports on this MOBO only being compatible with specific cables and only working with specific drives (U2 drives only)?
Anyway, I am just looking for any advice on how to properly use the OCuLink ports and what my options are with them, or how else I can properly expand so I can use both M2 ports on the board along with 8+ sata ports.