MP 1,1-5,1 Dual XP941 PCI-e card?

[DR0110]

Hi,

I made a post in the PCIe SSDs - NVMe & AHCI thread but did not receive any reply, so i will give it a go here also before putting this thought to rest.

I have looked around trying to get a grip on what works and what could work regarding Apple XP941 AHCI drives in a cMP 5,1 (do not have fw 144 yet but on my way there). I have some old Apple XP941 drives laying around and thought I could install them in my 5,1.

From what I have read I could perhaps buy a Sintech 2013 2014 2015 MacBook Pro +Air SSD to M.2 (NGFF) PCI-e adapter (http://eshop.sintech.cn/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=130_137&products_id=1096) which gives me a M Key connection.

Next step would be to find a PCI-e card that will work with this adaptor.
Maybe either of these two.
http://www.pc-adapter.net/product/788.html

https://www.amazon.com/Ableconn-PEX...pcie+card&qid=1589782305&s=electronics&sr=1-4

Now to the question(s)

First question: Does anyone see any problem with this setup?

Second question: If there is no problem with the solution above, does anyone know of a DUAL m.2 M Key card that will work for me? I can only find dual cards with M Key and B Key such as this one
https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-adva...ords=dual+m2+pcie+m-key&qid=1589702319&sr=8-6

There is of course this alternative (https://www.amazon.com/Ableconn-PEX...ie+card+non+bifurcation&qid=1589788999&sr=8-3) but if I’m paying that kind of money i rather go with a straight up NVME solution.

Third question: Not all ads for PCI-e cards say if it support non bi-furcation, is it more common that these cards just support bi-furcations, and therefore will not work in a 5,1?

To sum up; the reason for my question is to find out if there is any low-cost way of using my old Apple proprietary XP941 drives or if I’m better of just going for newer stuff.

Thanks for any advice/guidance in this jungle of alternatives.
/D

 

[fhturner]

For clarification, by Apple XP941, do you mean SSUAX? Technically, an XP941 is different from the SSUAX...same controller, but different connector. If so, there are plenty of PCIe boards to install the Apple PCIe (typically late 2013 through present, depending on Mac model) blade with on eBay. So you don’t need to adapt to standard M.2 first— you can just get the board specifically for the Apple blade. Not sure if there are dual boards though...may have to go to an Amfeltec, HighPoint, or similar WITH an adapter. HTH...

 

[tsialex]

There is no Apple XP941. Apple ""equivalent"" model is called SSUAX and have the 12+16 connector, not the M.2 M-key connector.

If you have a real Apple SSUAX, sell it and buy standard M.2 blades, you will make some money instead of wasting money with 12+16 to M.2 adapters.

Not one Mac support bifurcation, not even the 2019 Mac Pro. Only PCIe switched adapters work for multiple M.2 blades.

 

[DR0110]

Thanks for your replies,

For clarification, by Apple XP941, do you mean SSUAX?

Yep, my bad.

Not sure if there are dual boards though...may have to go to an Amfeltec, HighPoint, or similar WITH an adapter.

I think you are right. I have not found any dual boards that will fit SSUAX 12+16 connector. And IF i would go with an Amfeltec or HighPoint with an adapter I´m not sure if the adapter will be to wide to be able to put two next to each other.

If you have a real Apple SSUAX, sell it and buy standard M.2 blades, you will make some money instead of wasting money with 12+16 to M.2 adapters.

Maybe this is the way to go.

If someone have any other suggestions or have tried some obscure solution, let me know!
/D