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xencreative
Participant
June 21, 2016
Question

New PC build: Invest in NVME M.2 worth it?

  • June 21, 2016
  • 2 replies
  • 9274 views

Hi guys,

I'm about to build a new pc mainly for PS / ILL / ID.  So far I've compiled the following list of parts:

Intel Core i7-6700K

AsRock Fatal1ty Z170 Mobo (3 nvme sockets)

64gb G.Skill 2400-15 Ripjaws V K2

Asus Strix GTX 960 4GB

Corsair RM650x 650w psu

Now the problem is the drives, my budget allows to add:

OS: Samsung 950 Pro 512 GB

Scratch / Libraries / ...: Samsung 950 Pro 256 GB

Project Files: Samsung 850 Pro 512GB

But, Ive been reading a lot about NVME ssd's and some claim they would help a lot with io-intensive operations, but would not give a big speed boost i.e. when handling big files in ILL / PS.

So the question is:  If I were to buy them, how many, for what use (os/scratch/project files), and if not is the money better spent on another upgrade?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    RoninEdits
    RoninEdits
    Inspiring
    June 21, 2016

    some drives only hit their top rated speeds when read/write multiple files, as you mention. the samsung 950 performs well with single and multiple files, its one of the best drives, which is why its recommended so much here.

    if you are able to fit the os/apps, cache, and media all on one 512gb samsung 950, then it makes sense to buy one to hold everything. if you need more space, you should be fine using 2-3 samsung 850 sata ssd drives instead.

    you can check the manual for which sata ports are tied to which m.2 port, for lane conflict/sharing as bill mentions.

    Bill Gehrke
    Bill Gehrke
    Inspiring
    June 21, 2016

    Hey forum friends guess what?  Samsung has new family of up to 1TB M.2 PCIe Gen 3.0 X4 NVMe drives and they will soon available.  It is the SM961, a follow-on to the SM951 OEM style drives.  This means the warranty is up to the seller.  The sequential read speed is stated at 3200 MB/s, write speed is 1800 MB/s.  In a couple of weeks I should have one for testing.  I doubt that in my Premiere Pro Benchmark (PPBM) that it will test any faster that the 500 GB SM951 or the 950 Pro that I have but then it is a true 1 TB capacity! 

    X
    xencreativeAuthor
    Participant
    June 21, 2016

    Thanks for your replies.  When I said sockets i really meant connectors.  The mobo i selected has 3 m.2 connectors, and I know you lose sata ports.  Won't be a problem.

    So the advice of spreading os+apps / scratch / work files won't have a big difference when you use an nvme ssd?  I'll be ok using one for os/apps/scratch?  btw, yea i can fit all those on 512gb.

    thanks!

    Bill Gehrke
    Bill Gehrke
    Inspiring
    June 21, 2016

    I guess you do not know that the Samsung 950 Pro SSD's are M.2 NVME SSD's

    (There is no such thing as a NVMe socket)  Be careful because the use of those M.2 connectors disable SATA ports

    I think you are treading on dangerous ground from these oversights trying to build your own computer.

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