NMVE Driver question

bobkn · Aug 2, 2021

CornishRattler said:
It's an Asus ZenBook, the motherboard is listed as ASUSTek UX425EA. The Evo is plugged straight into the m.2 port. it's an Intel board

Thanks for posting that, finally.

The Optane drive in that model is 32GB, used as a cache for a hard drive or an SSD. If you're unfamiliar with that, I recommend a web search on "optane cache". (Used as a cache, the Optane isn't a logically separate drive. It shouldn't have its own drive letter. It stores frequently used data and OS information for faster access.)

The downloadable manual for it gives very little information about BIOS settings. I'd place a small bet (5¢ US, maybe) that there's a BIOS change that you'd have to make to change the M.2 from Optane cache to separate SSD.

According to Crucial, the laptop is indeed upgradeable. Crucial (US) I doubt that there'd be any issue using a Samsung SSD rather than one made by Crucial (Micron).

Zardoc · Aug 2, 2021

Check
Bios
Advanced tab
PCH storage config IF RST premium with Intel optane is default
Change PCI storage m.2 raid support NOT RST controlled

With optane that's the setting, that's the only way to change without re install using AHCI

Dru2 · Aug 2, 2021

Zardoc said:
Check
Bios
Advanced tab
PCH storage config IF RST premium with Intel optane is default
Change PCI storage m.2 raid support NOT RST controlled

With optane that's the setting, that's the only way to change without re install using AHCI

That assumes the OP has the same BIOS and BIOS layout as you. Of if the OP has those settings. Not every BIOS is the same on every board. And keep in mind this is a laptop. Laptops don't have near the BIOS features available to users as that of a desktop BIOS.

Zardoc · Aug 2, 2021

Dru2 said:
That assumes the OP has the same BIOS and BIOS layout as you. Of if the OP has those settings. Not every BIOS is the same on every board. And keep in mind this is a laptop. Laptops don't have near the BIOS features available to users as that of a desktop BIOS.

Yes I know. but it's an asus. There should be something similar.

Dru2 · Aug 2, 2021

Zardoc said:
Yes I know. but it's an asus. There should be something similar.

I also have an Asus Zenbook Prime but don't have what you propose so same vendors can have different BIOS configurations depending on hardware and BIOS version for said board.

Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A Bios Advanced tab...

SATA settings (board does not support NVMe drives)

Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A...

Not all BIOS's are the same even within the same vendor or brand. Now that's no guarantee the OP won't have the settings you suggest, but...

Zardoc · Aug 2, 2021

Dru, 2012?.

His laptop is about a year old and he has optane. So, in theory (theory) he should have that setting or something similar.

I have 5 Asus machines here. Laptops are a little diffrent but pretty close with less settings unless you mod the bios like I have on a G46VW that has more settings than this new Strix

Dru2 · Aug 2, 2021

Zardoc said:
Dru, 2012?.

His laptop is about a year old and he has optane. So, in theory (theory) he should have that setting or something similar.

I have 5 Asus machines here. Laptops are a little diffrent but pretty close with less settings unless you mod the bios like I have on a G46VW that has more settings than this new Strix

I guess I missed that info? Remember I did have to ask make and model (post #18). And even bobkn commented on the OP finally posting the info (post #21).

As to BIOS settings I guess we won't know till the OP posts back.

Thanks.