Legit Reviews

I'm building a new system using a MSI Meg X570 Unify mobo & Ryzen 3900X. For the first time ever I'm using a NVME M2 storage device, specifically a Samsung 970 Pro 512 GB.

Do I install the 970 in the M2 slot closest to the CPU socket to take advantage of CPU controller or the 3rd slot closest to the heatsink fan, controlled by the PCH, in order to take advantage of the fan? In my mind the 1st slot is the way to go so that it benefits from the speed of the CPU controller, but I see some installing it in the 3rd M2 lsot to take advantage of the fan.

Next question has to do with fans. I'm reading the mobo manual while waiting for the mobo to arrive and I'm seeing 2 different fan options - PWM or DC. Which one do I choose? I don't plan on overclocking my 3900X, so I'm thinking the PWM option is the way to go.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

You lucky man to get the 3900x In regards to the m.2 placement. Best to place the nvme closer to the fan and check temps then turn pc off and change slots and check temps again using Crystal Disk Mark 8gb test. Then keep it in the slot of which ever gives temps your comfortable with.

PWM fans are better as they allow much larger control of the fan speeds. Typically 20% lowest fan speed and will still spin. DC however 40% is the lowest as voltage is to low for the fans to start to spin unless your mobo has 100% start voltage for fans to spin before profile speed is applied.

Thanks for the reply DJ Tucker. As you can tell by my current set up in my signature, I tend to build something and hang on to it for a while. Been 10 years since the build in my signature and it's still running fine, so splurging for a 3900X seemed logical, not to mention I got it on sale last week for just under $400 USD. Only upgrades I've done were larger storage drives, both SSD and HDD.

So no difference in performance speeds on the drive whether it's controlled by the CPU or PCH, so I'll take your advice and try both slots.

Any ideas on the fan options? I see it in BIOS as well as on the board layout manual, I'm leaning towards PWM as I understand from what I've read it automatically lowers and raises the fan speed based on temps.

No difference in speeds just like DJ said, go for the one that best cools or if you are using both then it doesn't matter. I do believe using both will eliminate some sata ports though.....

PWM is nice to be able to slow everything WAY down if you arent doing anything to get a quieter system. If you dont care about noise then it doesnt matter....like DJ pretty much said.

I feel like a parrot.....DJ can I have a cracker?

Thanks KnightRid, I totally missed the fans part of DJ Tucker's reply, too busy overthinking the M2 slot business! Only using the one M2 slot, the other HD's will be mechanical plugged in with SATA cables.

Really excited, haven't done a build in 10 years. Mobo is expected to arrive by next weekend. Fingers crossed!

KnightRid wrote: ↑Sun May 03, 2020 3:06 am No difference in speeds just like DJ said, go for the one that best cools or if you are using both then it doesn't matter. I do believe using both will eliminate some sata ports though.....

PWM is nice to be able to slow everything WAY down if you arent doing anything to get a quieter system. If you dont care about noise then it doesnt matter....like DJ pretty much said.

I feel like a parrot.....DJ can I have a cracker?

Yes you can have a cracker

the mobo manual should tell you what sata ports will be disabled when using an m.2 slot. usually it disables 2 sata ports per installed m.2.

I remember the excitement when I got all the parts I have in my system now. sat on the edge of my seat the whole time