MP 7,1 PCI-E Card for 2 M.2 SSDs?

[Theophilos]

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a 7,1 compatible fast card that accommodates 2 m.2 SSDs? I have the Sonnet 4x4, but have two additional SSDs that I’d like to put in. I’m trying to avoid the cheap adapters for single SSDs from Amazon as well as the cost of (and difficulty finding) another Sonnet 4x4.

Thanks!

 

[flowrider]

This one:

Syba Dual M.2 M-Key NVMe Ports to PCIe 3.0 x16 Bifurcation Riser Controller - Support Non-Bifurcation Motherboard (SI-PEX40129)

The I/O CREST SI-PEX40129 is a great accelerated secondary storage solution for any workstation with true PCIe 3.0 x8 bandwidth (x16 Interface). It has two M.2 NVMe ports to accept two NVMe M.2 SSDs, so each NVMe M.2 SSD has dedicated PCIe 3.0 x4 bus bandwidth. It delivers transfer speeds 20 time...

www.amazon.com

I have one. I just updated to a High Point 7103, but will probably keep this card for when I get a 7,1 Mac Pro. The unraided speed of the I/O Crest is the same as my unaided High Point.

Lou

 

[Theophilos]

Thanks, Lou!
[automerge]1579727939[/automerge]
I also noticed this one on Amazon. Seems to work with older Mac Pros.

Ableconn PEXM2-130 Dual PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs Carrier Adapter Card - PCI Express 3.0 x8 Card Support 2X M.2 NGFF PCIe NVMe SSD (ASMedia ASM2824 Chipset) - Support Non-Bifurcation Motherboard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PRN2QCV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jUlkEbX4THVQ1

 

[bsbeamer]

Did you see the first post in this thread?

PCIe SSDs - NVMe & AHCI

This is a general info thread for blade SSDs that can be used in the Mac Pro. This is a WikiPost so anyone with the proper credentials may edit it. NVMe SSDs can be used as a boot drive in the MP5,1 and MP6,1 with the latest firmware installed (beginning with version 140.0.0.0.0 for MP5,1 and...

forums.macrumors.com

Scroll down to the "PCIe x8 & x16 switch cards" for confirmed recommendations.

 

[Theophilos]

What a great thread! No, I didn’t see that before, but I’m thankful you shared it.

 

[flowrider]

Thanks, Lou!
[automerge]1579727939[/automerge]
I also noticed this one on Amazon. Seems to work with older Mac Pros.

Ableconn PEXM2-130 Dual PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs Carrier Adapter Card - PCI Express 3.0 x8 Card Support 2X M.2 NGFF PCIe NVMe SSD (ASMedia ASM2824 Chipset) - Support Non-Bifurcation Motherboard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PRN2QCV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jUlkEbX4THVQ1

That card has no heatsinks. NVME SSDs run hot.

Lou

 

[thomast0001]

That card has no heatsinks. NVME SSDs run hot.

Lou

I suspect that’s easily remedied, for example with:

MHQJRH M.2 2280 SSD heatsink, Double-Sided Heat Sink, with Thermal Silicone pad for PC / PS5 M.2 PCIE NVMe SSD or M.2 SATA SSD

。

www.amazon.com

There are many such add-on heatsinks. I’m considering that card as a potential upgrade myself (with the 3rd party heatsinks). However, for now I’ve got enough spare slots to add some single m.2 NVMe PCIe cards that come with heatsinks already. They cost about $20 each and thus are a much more economical route if you have the spare slots. They’re also much simpler since they’re little more than simple wire routing to the NVMe drive.