Solved New Drives... Pls explain #s

Hi People!
So, I was supposed to install an SK Hynix 2TB but, it seems they are becoming too popular and upped their prices
(at least here in Canada).
Went with Samsung 990 Pro 2TB instead as their prices have come down quite a bit from the last time I checked.
Cloned the Micron to the 990 and that went better than I expected as I only use Macrium on occasion.
The other drive that I already had is a Solidigm 2 TB for storage. This notebook got one heck of an upgrade.
I have been told on the MSI forums that both nvme slots were of the PCIex4 specimen but, upon Crystal Disk
bench-marking, I saw disappointing results for the Solidigm which kinda confirmed my suspicions that the
second slot is PCIex3. The information found in the PDF that I downloaded from MSI for my notebook did
say that the second slot was PCIex3 but, that could be because mine was the first version of the GE76 Raider.
In any case, could someone pls explain the numbers that I got. BTW, these drives do not heat in the least.
I transferred about 520 Gigs from the T7 to the Solidigm and it never got higher than 52 C. haven't really tested
the 990 yet but, it was also behaving when bench-marking.
Also, when I asked the folks on MSI forums about heat pads and possible heat sinks, they told me that the
heat pads went under the drives as there is a big copper plate under the slots. So, when taking those apart
they were right. There is a copper plate and on top of it , resides a Big heat pad. It was about 3 mms thick
and on top was a cover with a thin metal plate. I have never seen this config before but, it seems to work
as seeing the drives staying cool.

So, can anyone explain the numbers I got .

Thanks.

Flashorn said:

So, can anyone explain the numbers I got .

Click to expand...

Yeah... the Solidigm is just a slower drive.
Here, check it's specs...



Newegg.com is a great place to check hardware specs. They directly use the manufacturer's specs.


Not all SSDs have the same speed IC chips.
The Samsung 990 Pro has the latest and greatest speed IC chips.




Both SSDs are doing their advertised speed.
And on all SSDs, there will be a little play in the numbers. Different binned chips are the cause.


CPUs are like that too. Two identical chips in identical setups will overclock by different amounts.
It has a cute name... the "silicon lottery".

RAM is the same. There's about 4-5 companies that make the chips that go on RAM sticks.
Some are better than others.



And as for the PCIe speeds... if you put a PCIe 3.0 drive in a 4.0 slot... it'll still run at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
If you put a PCIe 4.0 drive in a 3.0 slot... it will slow down.

CrystalDiskInfo will show the transfer mode.

Fabler2 said:

CrystalDiskInfo will show the transfer mode.

View attachment 70024

Click to expand...

OK, I don't know what you mean by transfer mode because , what I see in your pic is
what I have in Solidigm Tool kit and more. what's the difference pls.

Flashorn said:

OK, I don't know what you mean by transfer mode because , what I see in your pic is
what I have in Solidigm Tool kit and more. what's the difference pls.

Click to expand...

It shows the current mode it's running at and shows the supported mode. My NvME slot shows it's PCIe 3 with 4 lanes so even if I installed an NVMe PCIe 4 drive it would run slower. Just a way of seeing what set up it is. This is a better image,

Fabler2 said:

It shows the current mode it's running at and shows the supported mode. My NvME slot shows it's PCIe 3 with 4 lanes so even if I installed an NVMe PCIe 4 drive it would run slower. Just a way of seeing what set up it is. This is a better image,

View attachment 70036

Click to expand...

OH, I got it now. It will show supported PCIe mode.
Well, that's a neat program. I'll give it a try and see
what it has to say.

Thanks Fabler2.

Another question if I may. Is there an app that will show the actual
PCIe 3 or 4 on the motherboard ? I know that the info from the
manufacturer should show this information but, as in my case,
there seems to be some confusion as to which mode is supported
on this motherboard.

Flashorn said:

Another question if I may. Is there an app that will show the actual
PCIe 3 or 4 on the motherboard ? I know that the info from the
manufacturer should show this information but, as in my case,
there seems to be some confusion as to which mode is supported
on this motherboard.

Click to expand...

You could try CPU-Z. Mine's a laptop so shows only limited info. Don't know if it will show more for a proper motherboard.

Fabler2 said:

You could try CPU-Z. Mine's a laptop so shows only limited info. Don't know if it will show more for a proper motherboard.

View attachment 70038

CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

CPU-Z for Windows® x86/x64 is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels. Mainboard and chipset. Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD). Real time...

www.cpuid.com

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Mine says PCIe 4 but, it will only show the Bus Specs for the board.
I was wondering if there is an app that can show the Bus for the
nvme slots as well?
You CPUZ is out of date BTW,

Could Crystal Info be showing Transfer Mode for both slots ?
I just had to show how hot the Patriot drive gets. I run my
Potable apps from it.

the solidigm p41 is their budget DRAMless QLC nvme.

the solidigm p44 pro is their high end nvme. Same hardware as the sk hynix platinum p41.

SIW2 said:

SIV - System Information Viewer

SIV - System Information Viewer

rh-software.com

View attachment 70041

Click to expand...

First time I've heard of SIV

SIW2 said:

the solidigm p41 is their budget DRAMless QLC nvme.

the solidigm p44 pro is their high end nvme. Same hardware as the sk hynix platinum p41.

Solidigm P44 Pro 2TB SSD Review - Performance to Value Leader

Following the launch of its first Gen4 QLC client SSD, Solidigm is back, and this time it's all about superior performance at unheard of pricing.

www.tweaktown.com

Click to expand...

Thank you for that. It is what I was looking for and damn , there's a whole lot more of info that I could've
asked for. I will donate to this guy as this is allot of work and should be rewarded.
As for the P44 Pro, I was supposed to buy the SK Hynix but, as I mentioned in the OP, their prices have gotten a little
more than I wanted to pay. This is why I went with the 990 Pro. Am not disappointed with my purchases and so far the
notebook is responding very well to the upgrade. I was a bit worried at first when I researched those nvmes because the
consensus was that the 990 Pro was running hot but, as you can see from the screens and the way MSI has the cooling
set up, I don't think it will get any hotter than the others while playing games which is why I have this notebook in the
first place.
Again, thanks to all who have answered my call