Add a third M.2 NVMe to Lenovo M920S SFF?

If it's possible, I'd like to add a third NVMe to my latest not-new Lenovo M920S (System 1; See My Computers). I have one in the motherboard connector (with a Lenovo adapter) and one in a PCIe slot on a card. Both work so beautifully that I'm thinking I'd like to try to add a third for backup storage, instead of just adding (back; it originally had two SATA SSDs, and it has 4 SATA connectors) a SATA SSD. I already use an external USB-connected SATA SSD for backup storage, but I'd like the speed of an NVMe for some internal storage stuff. I don't know whether or how I can accomplish this, but I'm sure one of the hardware experts here can advise me. Experts?

Have you an additional PCIe X1 or PCIe X4 slot available for another card? Have you shopped for a card that can hold 2 NVMe drives? I haven't looked but maybe there's an adapter to fit where an HDD would go with a NVMe socket on it and plugs into a SATA connection on the motherboard. For a less-bulky portability versus my WD My Passport, I use a Sabrent USB device that can accept 3 sizes NVMe drives, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB, currently has a 1TB drive in it.

Downside to the PCIe add-in cards is whether the case is the larger tower or the SFF/Small Form Factor case. The SFF can only accept the low-profile cards.

This is what I've got on that MB:

I have the current card in the #26 slot. You think I might actually use the #27 (x1) slot for a card that would carry an NVMe disk?

Wisewiz said:

This is what I've got on that MB:
View attachment 83437
I have the current card in the #26 slot. You think I might actually use the #27 (x1) slot for a card that would carry an NVMe disk?

Click to expand...

It should if the card specs are for the X1 slot. As far as I've noticed an X1 card will work in the X4 or X16 slot.

Would there be an advantage to using an x1 card in the x16 slot?

I don't think I've seen any NVME adapter cards designed for x16.

Wisewiz said:

Would there be an advantage to using an x1 card in the x16 slot?

I don't think I've seen any NVME adapter cards designed for x16.

Click to expand...

Shouldn't be any disadvantage as long as the X16 isn't required for a video card.

Current NVME M.2 cards are X4, so I wouldn't want an X1 adapter.

There are X16 adapters, intended for multiple M.2 drives. They require PCI-E bifurcation. (4 drives, 4 lanes each, 16 total.)

There were also NVMe PCI-E add-in cards, like the Intel 750 series. I have one lying about somewhere.

Wisewiz said:

Would there be an advantage to using an x1 card in the x16 slot?

I don't think I've seen any NVME adapter cards designed for x16.

Click to expand...

A x1 x2 x4 or x8 will work in a x16 slot.
A x1 slot isn't sufficient for nvme. You need 4 lanes.
There are PCI-E cards that support 2 or more nvme cards. That is what I would look into.

That was an excellent article! Thanks, @Berton. One of the takeaways is this:

"For instance, if you want to add an extra NVME SSD expansion card but you have no x4 slot on your motherboard, then an x16 slot would be your only option to go with. This would mean sacrificing your graphics card, but you wouldn’t need a graphics card if you are not a professional or a gamer."

if you are not using the pcie x16 for a graphics card you could put an x4 adapter in it


I have an x1 adapter it works fine.
The important bit, the random read/write are not much different from x4. That is a pcie 3.0 x1 slot in the screeshot

If the adapter supports pcie 4.0 It would be around double on the sequentials in a pcie 4.0 x1 but the randoms arent much different

I bought the x1 adapter on impulse because it was only £3.50 .This cheap one supports up to pcie 3.0

Some are available that support up to pcie 4.0

@geneo

Thanks for your input, but I'm working inside a SFF case, and those things don't fit.

@SIW2

You mean you're using an x1 for an NVMe adapter card successfully? What about the "lanes?"

Wisewiz said:

@geneo

Thanks for your input, but I'm working inside a SFF case, and those things don't fit.

Click to expand...

You just need low profile right? Search Amazon for "dual nvme pcie card low profile". A number only use 4-lanes so if you are copying between the two on the card it will halve the rate. There are more expensive 8 lane cards that use PCI-E Bifurcation that won't have this issue. But your BIOS/board has to support PCI-E bifurcation.

Wisewiz said:

@SIW2

You mean you're using an x1 for an NVMe adapter card successfully? What about the "lanes?"

Click to expand...

It runs fine using one lane. Sequentials arent as fast ( though still faster than sata ssd ) however the randoms are more important and they hold up well over 1 lane.

You wont notice the difference in normal use.

You would only notice if you copy 100gb of files from something with a faster sequential read onto it. It is still pretty quick even then, noticeably quicker than a sata ssd

I like sata ssd because they are so much easier, particularly for hot swapping on a desktop. But there's nothing wrong with nvme on x1

SIW2 said:

It runs fine using one lane. Sequentials arent as fast ( though still faster than sata ssd ) however the randoms are more important and they hold up well over 1 lane.

Click to expand...

@Wisewiz is planing on using it for backups, so sequentials are important - so 4 lanes.

Thanks, @geneo. It's gonna be storage, not an operating system or program disk.

please youself. In a small case you can either

1. use the x16 graphics slot

or

2. use a pcie x1 adapter

or

3. sata ssd.

If the pcie x16 isnt free, pcie x1 is the best bet if heat is not likely to be a problem which it shouldnt be over x1

On the other hand, if you can put a caddy in the front of the sff, a sata ssd can be powered on only when needed and swapped between machines very easily.

SIW2 said:

please youself.

Click to expand...

I didn't mean to be snarky at all. Just stating the situation. I really appreciate your input.

SIW2 said:

In a small case you can either
1. use the x16 graphics slot
or
2. use a pcie x1 adapter
or
3. sata ssd.

Click to expand...

I'm going to choose the x16, since I don't need a graphics card at all. No pics, no vids, no games, no high-demand stuff at all. I know: sounds boring. But I'm old, and conservative computing suits me just fine.

SIW2 said:

If the pcie x16 isnt free, pcie x1 is the best bet if heat is not likely to be a problem which it shouldnt be over x1

Click to expand...

PCIE x16 is free as a bird.

I don't need a graphics card at all

Click to expand...

easy decision then . If you are concerned about heat in a cramped space you could consider hynix p31 which has much lower power draw than the others.

Got two cases full of Samsung 9xx EVO Plus. Both run cool with their heatsinks. Think I'll stick with those.