PCIE M.2 NVMe on MacPro

[tsialex]

Hi. sorry for the late response I've been busy as hell. Well, I use my computer mainly for music production, eventually some video editing but nothing too fancy, But music Production heavy loads!!!!!, a lot of Samplers and Virtual Instruments, I've been trying to find also what would be the best option for the NVME if APFS or HFS, THanks!!! It's a Mac Pro 5,1 2010, 12 cores 2.66 GHz

If you will going to use the NVMe blade as a main disk, you can only use HFS+ up to High Sierra, Mojave requires APFS.

Btw, NVMe is only supported by the following macOS releases and with these conditions:
El Capitan - only Apple SSPOLARIS blades and only after 10.11.4.
Sierra - only Apple SSPOLARIS blades and M.2 blades that support 4096 bytes/sector (not common / usually datacenter blades)
High Sierra - general NVMe support, both 512 bytes/sector and 4096 bytes/sector are supported
Mojave - general NVMe support, both 512 bytes/sector and 4096 bytes/sector are supported

Edit:

Corrected a typo.

 

[MIKX]

EDITED

I boot Mojave 10.14.6 build 18G1012 from a HFS+ formatted Samsung M.2 970 EVO.

No issues at all.

 

[IOMstudio]

If you will going to use the NVMe blade as a main disk, you can only use HFS+ up to High Sierra, Mojave requires APFS.

Btw, NVMe is only supported by the following macOS releases and with these conditions:
El Capitan - only Apple SSPOLARIS blades and only after 10.11.4.
Sierra - only Apple SSPOLARIS blades and M.2 blades that support 4096 bytes/sector (not common / usually datacenter blades)
High Sierra - general NVMe support, both 512 bytes/sector and 4096 bytes/sector are supported
Mojave - general NVMe support, both 512 bytes/sector and 4096 bytes/sector are supported

Edit:

Corrected a typo.

Thanks for the info, I already got pretty much everything running, The NVME, with Mojave, another Hard Drive running Windows 10 Pro, but I'm having a little bit of a problem with Gygabite GC TITAN RIDGE thunderbolt, I'm trying to get this Audio Interface Thunderbolt 2 (VRS8 SLATE DIGITAL) to with it but it doesn't Recognize it, I when thru the testing TB3 AIC with MP 5,1 chat but I think I didn't understood all the information some parts I think are way too technical for my level of understanding. I was able to get it hooked up on Windows but Thru HDMI, Oh this interface has also an HDMI audio connection and and it comes with it's own PCIe card to connect to the interface but I just found out they dropped the HDMI Driver development for Older Macs

 

[tsialex]

Thanks for the info, I already got pretty much everything running, The NVME, with Mojave, another Hard Drive running Windows 10 Pro, but I'm having a little bit of a problem with Gygabite GC TITAN RIDGE thunderbolt, I'm trying to get this Audio Interface Thunderbolt 2 (VRS8 SLATE DIGITAL) to with it but it doesn't Recognize it, I when thru the testing TB3 AIC with MP 5,1 chat but I think I didn't understood all the information some parts I think are way too technical for my level of understanding. I was able to get it hooked up on Windows but Thru HDMI, Oh this interface has also an HDMI audio connection and and it comes with it's own PCIe card to connect to the interface but I just found out they dropped the HDMI Driver development for Older Macs

Sorry, I don't have the Thunderbolt card and I can't help you with. Go back to the testing TB3 AIC with MP 5,1 and ask help there.

HDMI audio output from the GPU works with Polaris (AMD RX 560/580) and newer AMD GPUs natively with Mojave.

 

[joevt]

HDMI audio output from the GPU works with Polaris (AMD RX 560/580) and newer AMD GPUs natively with Mojave.

HDMI in the context of the VRS8 is used to transmit a PCIe signal to the VRS8 PCIe devices as a substitute for Thunderbolt (like the EXP GDC Beast does for generic PCIe cards, usually a graphics card). Anyway, there's a thread about the VRS8 at #264 . The testing TB3 AIC with MP 5,1 thread will tell you how to get the device to appear when connected via Thunderbolt - you have to boot into Windows, then warm boot into macOS - to avoid that, I recommend the HDMI connection over the Thunderbolt connection (plus the HDMI connection probably has less latency than Thunderbolt).

 

[techman9510]

can someone please explain to me how I can install and run windows 10 on my Mac Pro 5,1 via m.2 I can install Mojave just fine on the m.2 with amazing read and write speeds but I cannot seem to install windows. I know its not a good idea to install windows as efi because it can corrupt the Mac firmware has anyone found a was around this issue is there a custom Mac firmware that we can make or modify the windows software somehow its driving me crazy dealing with windows in sata I'm only getting 300 read and write because of the sata2 port.

 

[tsialex]

can someone please explain to me how I can install and run windows 10 on my Mac Pro 5,1 via m.2 I can install Mojave just fine on the m.2 with amazing read and write speeds but I cannot seem to install windows. I know its not a good idea to install windows as efi because it can corrupt the Mac firmware has anyone found a was around this issue is there a custom Mac firmware that we can make or modify the windows software somehow its driving me crazy dealing with windows in sata I'm only getting 300 read and write because of the sata2 port.

You can only install Windows 10 to a NVMe drive if you use UEFI. Since Mac Pro is not UEFI, but EFI, you are now entering a dangerous path, lot's of Mac Pros bricked because of the interaction of SecureBoot certificates and the NVRAM. There aren't workarounds on this.

Don't do it. Use a dedicated SATA drive.

Microsoft is looking on this, no one else can correct this, but at a zero priority…
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You can use AHCI M.2 blades for Windows 10 and use Windows 10 installed via CSM mode, a lot of people here do it this way and have the advantage of APFS support via iMac Pro BootCamp drivers.

 

[chris.pielkenrood]

So I stumbled onto this adapter https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32983393683.html a JEYI SK19. Which should be an adapter for housing 2 blades with rolling by fan. But I did not see anyone here comment about this card. Should it be OK for my Mac Pro 5.1?

 

[tsialex]

So I stumbled onto this adapter https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32983393683.html a JEYI SK19. Which should be an adapter for housing 2 blades with rolling by fan. But I did not see anyone here comment about this card. Should it be OK for my Mac Pro 5.1?

It's not a dual PCIe adapter. It has one PCIe M.2 connector and another SATA M.2 connector for a SATA M.2 blade that needs to be connected by a SATA cable to the MP5,1 SATA ports. It's not a good fit for a MP5.1, unless you want to use just one PCIe M.2 blade and forget about the SATA one.

It's a very deceptive product listing.

 

[chris.pielkenrood]

It's not a dual PCIe adapter. It has one PCIe M.2 connector and another SATA M.2 connector for a SATA M.2 blade that needs to be connected by a SATA cable to the MP5,1 SATA ports. It's not a good fit for a MP5.1, unless you want to use just one PCIe M.2 blade and forget about the SATA one.

Ah Nice! Then I am going to think about the advantages of the passive cooling from the KryoM.2 EVO and for example the active cooling from this JEYI. Thanks.

 

[tsialex]

Ah Nice! Then I am going to think about the advantages of the passive cooling from the KryoM.2 EVO and for example the active cooling from this JEYI. Thanks.

kryoM.2 EVO is the way to go. Cheap Chinese fans need constant cleaning and lubrification, even with high end cards with very good fans like my HighPoint SSD7101-A, it's a constant hassle to keep it clean while with good passive adapters like Angelbirds Wings PX1/AquaComputer kryoM.2 EVO it's install and forget.

 

[chris.pielkenrood]

kryoM.2 EVO is the way to go. Cheap Chinese fans need constant cleaning and lubrification, even with high end cards with very good fans like my HighPoint SSD7101-A, it's a constant hassle to keep it clean while with good passive adapters like Angelbirds Wings PX1/AquaComputer kryoM.2 EVO it's install and forget.

A lot of thanks to you! You are kinda like the Mac Pro obiwan . KryoM.2 its going to be.

 

[NorbtheNorb]

I know, a new account and i start with a question. Sorry in advance. I could, if i could, google it all. But i am just overwhelmed with the information i read. I love my old old MacPro 4,1 (Patched to 5,1) running almost smooth with Mojave on a M.2 SSD (WDC WDS256G1X0C) with a no name controller (Slot-2). But i need more speed. I think about what a better/new Controller and a state of the art M.2 SSD can do. Beside that i think about a processor update, because i use the slow 2.66 * 2 configuration.

My questions:
What controller i should use for a speedy M.2?
What M.2 SSD 1TGB should i think of?
Can i use multiple PCIe M.2 SSD-Controller, or do you know if a controller exist with two slots?

As a compensation i offer my knowledge about Photo + Composing.
Thank you in advance!
Norb

P.S.
My English is based on music and internet. Sorry about mistakes and inconsistency.

 

[crjackson2134]

But i need more speed.

What task specifically are you trying to speed up?

 

[chris.pielkenrood]

I know, a new account and i start with a question. Sorry in advance. I could, if i could, google it all. But i am just overwhelmed with the information i read. I love my old old MacPro 4,1 (Patched to 5,1) running almost smooth with Mojave on a M.2 SSD (WDC WDS256G1X0C) with a no name controller (Slot-2). But i need more speed. I think about what a better/new Controller and a state of the art M.2 SSD can do. Beside that i think about a processor update, because i use the slow 2.66 * 2 configuration.

My questions:
What controller i should use for a speedy M.2?
What M.2 SSD 1TGB should i think of?
Can i use multiple PCIe M.2 SSD-Controller, or do you know if a controller exist with two slots?

As a compensation i offer my knowledge about Photo + Composing.
Thank you in advance!
Norb

P.S.
My English is based on music and internet. Sorry about mistakes and inconsistency.

Try and read in the meantime. I was in the same situation as you. But I went through all info with lightspeed. There is so much to soak in.

About you question, I am no expert but I can tell you about some options. I recently bought the KryoM.2 evo PCIe adapter witch comes with a heatsink. This controller is perceived as low cost but with good speeds. Also due to the heatsink it’s better for your nvme blade.

 

[NorbtheNorb]

What task specifically are you trying to speed up?

Read/Whrite Performance for filesizes from 5mb to 200mb because dealing with a lot Raw-Images and JPG-Exports.
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Try and read in the meantime. I was in the same situation as you. But I went through all info with lightspeed. There is so much to soak in.

About you question, I am no expert but I can tell you about some options. I recently bought the KryoM.2 evo PCIe adapter witch comes with a heatsink. This controller is perceived as low cost but with good speeds. Also due to the heatsink it’s better for your nvme blade.

Thanks a lot, what SSD do you use on that controller?

 

[NorbtheNorb]

Try and read in the meantime. I was in the same situation as you. But I went through all info with lightspeed. There is so much to soak in.

About you question, I am no expert but I can tell you about some options. I recently bought the KryoM.2 evo PCIe adapter witch comes with a heatsink. This controller is perceived as low cost but with good speeds. Also due to the heatsink it’s better for your nvme blade.

I have a sluggisch write performance with my actual combo. Its only 260mb read and a smooth 1400mb read. I use the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test benchmark. What is your speed with an old Mac-Pro?

What can i achieve with KyroM.2 Evo and a good 500gb M.2 SSD on my Mac-pro 5,1?

 

[chris.pielkenrood]

I have a sluggisch write performance with my actual combo. Its only 260mb read and a smooth 1400mb read. I use the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test benchmark. What is your speed with an old Mac-Pro?

What can i achieve with KyroM.2 Evo and a good 500gb M.2 SSD on my Mac-pro 5,1?

I did not install it yet because I am waiting for my 1TB Kingston A2000 NVME blade.

Check this topic https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/aqua-computer-kryom-2-evo-pcie-3-0-x-4-adapter.2135388/ out for more specs and speeds

 

[Nauzikaa]

Anyone try ICY BOX PCI Express Card, M.2 NVMe SSD to PCIe 3.0?
Big radiator and twice less expensive then Kryo.

 

[Ludacrisvp]

Anyone try ICY BOX PCI Express Card, M.2 NVMe SSD to PCIe 3.0?
Big radiator and twice less expensive then Kryo.

Doesn't ship to USA so that may limit the scope of people that can / could use this card.
Looks like a standard passive adapter card, so should work fine.

 

[Nauzikaa]

Manufacturer says that this card is PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps), not PCIe 3.0. Is it compatible wit cMP 5.1?

 

[joevt]

Manufacturer says that this card is PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps), not PCIe 3.0. Is it compatible wit cMP 5.1?

It's a straight connection between the PCIe slot and the NVMe slot. I think PCIe 4.0 just means the quality is good enough to allow PCIe gen 4 NVMe devices to work at PCIe gen 4 speed in a PCIe gen 4 slot. The cMP has gen 2 slots, so NVMe devices will be limited to gen 2 speed.

IB-PCI214M2-HSL

There's nothing stopping other older such PCIe adapters (this cheap kind that doesn't have a PCIe switch) from allowing gen 4 NVMe devices to attempt to connect at gen 4 speed when placed in a gen 4 slot except they haven't been tested at gen 4 speed.

We have to wait for NVMe PCIe cards that come with a PCIe gen 4 switch so we can use PCIe gen 4 NVMe devices at full speed in a cMP.

 

[Nauzikaa]

Thx!
Initially, i look at more expensive (and recommended) Syba I/O Crest SI-PEX40129, but read few negative review when using with cMP. So, decide to start with cheap card and read all about expensive.
Find interesting Supermicro AOC-SLG3-2M2. Not listed in thread about card, but it require bifurcation. So, will not work.

 

[bsbeamer]

The Wolftech Pulsecard (basically Angelbird Wings PX1 without LED) will now ship to USA from several resellers for anyone that has been looking/waiting.

Wolftech pulsecard - M.2 NVMe/AHCI Compatible PCIe SSD to PCIe Gen3 x4 (Half Length Low Profile) Adapter Card

Wolftech pulsecard - M.2 NVMe/AHCI Compatible PCIe SSD to PCIe Gen3 x4 (Half Length Low Profile) Adapter Card

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Don't think that's available in North America. BTW, I have an Angelbird PX1 is anyone is interested.

Lou