Is there a preferred slot for the boot SSD drive on a NUC 11 Enthusiast Kit

[Rew452]

The NUC 11 Enthusiast Kit has 2 SSD slots, labeled A, B is there a preferred slot for the boot SSD?

I have seen reviews showing either and guide does not indicate one over the other.

Will have mine tomorrow and want to setup with best practice for the boot drive. I will be using both slots, one for OS and one for storage.

Would appreciate any insight on this.

Thanks

Rew452 

[n_scott_pearson]

Obviously, if you have a M.2 22x110 module, you will need to plug it into the first (NVMe only, 22x80/22x110) connector. Similarly, if you have a M.2 SATA module or a M.2 Optane module, you will need to plug it into the second (NVMe/SATA) connector.

Other than that, the connectors can be used interchangeably. The interfaces for the two connectors are both PCIe Gen3 (i.e., neither supports PCIe Gen4), so NVMe performance is going to be the same.

Hope this helps,

...S

[Rew452]

Thanks!

That's what I thought but wanted to confirm before installing SSD's on this new build.

Appreciate your help.

[Moshe2]

Thank you so much for sharing this really information.

Liteblue

[LeonWaksman]

Generally I agree what Scott wrote in his post, however there is small correction - If you are going to use an Optane H Series SSD, it can be installed only in the slot labeled "NVMe only" (rather than "NVMe/SATA"). Please refer to Technical Product Specification page 10 and page 13.  I can see also, reading different reviews that most people are installing the first SSD in the slot marked "NVMe only" although I don't this that does it matter (except Optane H Series).

Leon

[n_scott_pearson]

Not sure where you're getting that Leon. On page 13 it shows the following:

This says to me that the Optane has to go in the NVMe/SATA slot.

...S

[Rew452]

Got it, am using a couple of Samasung SSD

[LeonWaksman]

Well, it is probably an error in TPS Block Diagram on page 16. This TPS should be reviewed, since there is more errors. 

I'm looking on page 10 and 13.

Leon

 

 

[n_scott_pearson]

Hhmmm, my copy of the TPS (v1.1) doesn't show it this way. Interesting.... Download page says latest is v1.2, but link downloads v1.1. Seems v1.2 was retracted. I am checking into why...

...S

[Rew452]

What I found is Drive 0 = M2_B slot(110 mm) and Drive 1 = the M2_A (80mm) slot. It does not matter system will use either. I just like boot drive to be on Drive 0.

After a couple days of setting this beasty up, things have gone pretty good. A couple things to point out for new users:

First check and install latest NUC BIOS

- Install Windows 10 and let the Windows Store and Windows Update download and setup the NUC.

- After all is done install Intel Driver and Support Assistant and let it update the remainder.

- Download latest Nvidia notebook drivers and install.

I had initially download all the drivers and on my first install tried to use them which tends creates some issues.

I still have one unresolved issue, The front USB, yellow and on back USB ports using a Adata (32gb) UV128 USB 3.0(blue) Flash drive drops out after a couple minutes with a malfunction. Although does work initially. Don't see this behavior with a Adata USB UV128(yellow) 16gb.

The Adata 32gb works fine on other PC's. Maybe a capacity issue, not sure if anyone has a fix please post.

[LeonWaksman]

Yes, as I wrote, I'm seeing most installation of the system SSD are in slot M2_B slot (i.e. "NVMe only"). Just to be sure, before using the Intel DSA for Intel drivers download and installation, you need to download and install manually the  Intel® Chipset Device Software .

This will install the relevant for your NUC .inf files and only then the correct drivers will be installed by the IDSA.

On this download page, you may find all the software for your NUC. 

After installing the Chipset Device Software and if needed reinstalling/installing the correct drivers, your check if the USB problem was fixed.

Leon

[Rew452]

Right you are, added the Chipset Device software on my first build but did not remember doing that on the second build which I have  now done. It did not fix USB timeout. When this happens Win 10 reports a unrecognize USB device.

I tried updating the most recent drivers but they were the same as what Intel Driver Support Assistant had already installed.

[AndrewG_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hello @Rew452

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

We notice that the community users assisted you regarding your inquiry about the "preferred slot for the boot SSD drive".

We understand that you then reported an issue with a USB flash drive. In case you need further assistance from Intel® regarding this other issue, we kindly recommend creating a new thread. This is since this is considered a different topic/issue and this will allow us to isolate the other problem and provide you with the proper assistance.

If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored by Intel. Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[n_scott_pearson]

The development team tells me that v1.1 is the latest. They also indicated that they will be looking into the other issues reported.

...S