The Holy Grail, Finally Found: U.2 to PCIe4 Adapters that Work!

Join Wendell on an epic quest for a relic of great power!
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Intro and Outro Music By: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
Editor's note. This is the video with the M.2 breakout cable.

[@Ashandaeri3]

Watching Wendell go off the deep end always brings me joy. Keep on keeping on Level1.

[@Martin_Speed]

Time traveler?

[@EvilDesktop]

​@@Martin_Speed I was wondering that...

[@zepesh]

@@Martin_Speed Patreon

[@RowdyDandy]

Holy moly, seeing the Wendell before and now comparasion is awesome! 2:10

[@BBWahoo]

SFF Wendell

[@augurseer]

I feel his pain. Trying to slim down myself.

[@augurseer]

Looking good bud

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

(Since he talked on the L1 Links Show numerous times about it I consider it okay to mention it) Almost dying because of a tick bite is a great motivator for getting into better shape. An elderly friend of my mom’s had a similar tick bite incident and a heart attack shortly after and they are wondering how to get her into better shape since she refuses to make any lifestyle changes but is depending on help from others which is pretty straining on their relationships.

[@cfuse]

Bitten by a radioactive tick. Developed tick powers.

[@shinythings7]

OMG, the first minute of this video is gold! GOLD!!!!!

[@MrPunkassfuck]

Love the thumbnail and facial expression. "Me a knight looking for the holy grail? I only took this job because I thought the coffeemaker looked better than in my previous job, what's going on?". Intro was a classic too. Can't go wrong with the Monties.

[@KaosArbitrium]

I cannot wait for PCIE-6 to come out roght as Wendal finishes getting PCIE-4 to work properly

[@TheWebstaff]

The more we get to see Wendell personality come through on these videos the better they get! That intro was great! And I love this sort of weird use case hacking.

[@rodhester2166]

what an awesome intro... you are correct on the mobo situation, seems they just want two slots and a bunch of plates covering everything up , kinda like todays car engines covered in plastic .. I miss having 4 and 5 slots, but i miss 5.25 bays also.. lol.. I guess it is because i use my machines for more than just a gaming machine or media watcher.. cheers.

[@rudysal1429]

Congrats Wendell on the video and information but also on your health!

[@amateurwizard]

Yeah he looks great 🙂

[@goblinphreak2132]

I agree with you Wendell, modern motherboard makers are batshit crazy. They think "enthusiast" is the "gamer" that has one gpu, one nvme, and a tiny form factor case. Meanwhile im over here using expansion slots like crazy, tons of 3.5 HDD's and just, ugh. Don't get me started on case manufacturers and their "two 3.5 bays or less" motif. Many cases having ZERO 3.5 slots. Its bullshit. And the few cases you can still get that have tons of HDD space, you can't fit a full size gpu in. So I am just "shit out of luck".... I honestly want a case that the motherboard lays flat. Kind of the those Thermaltake cases, but without all the dumbass glass. They used to make that case with metal and holes all over, why didn't they just keep that going? This whole "hot box glass case" bullshit is not enthusiast at all. Its for stupid people who want their PC to run hot. and then as you pointed out motherboard's.... ive seen quite a few boards with only 4 sata connections. FOUR. not even six. i would prefer eight..... hell maybe ten. I am just so tired of enthusiast being related to "gamer" because they aren't enthusiast at all. I mean I get it, there are a LOT of gamers out there, but that doesn't make them "enthusiast" that makes them "common"....

[@Basement-Science]

Dont forget that it's literally impossible at this point to have HDDs AND water cooling in a case these days in general. "This case totally has a few HDD slots and can totally fit 10 radiators in it" - but actually it should say OR.

[@goblinphreak2132]

@@Basement-Science its not impossible. The cases today suck ass. Many have dual chamber design but back chamber is wasted space

[@Basement-Science]

@@goblinphreak2132 Yeah, last time I checked the only cases that could fit everything I would want were crazy oversized for what they should be - tons of wasted space in them where it's not even possible to put ANYTHING in much of that space because there aren't even any mounting holes or anything.

[@goblinphreak2132]

@@Basement-Science again, poor case design, but 100% possible

[@Basement-Science]

@@goblinphreak2132 Of course it's technically possible. Just not in a reasonable, space-efficient way without modifying the case yourself.

[@mrgcav]

Cool intro Wendel !!! I watched this twice. I love enterprise grade hardware (but rarely can afford it) So Wendel. you are the man. I need this adapter. Wendel is SO correct about the lack of PCIE connections on consumer high end Motherboards. I have an Asus Z790 Maximus Extreme.

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

Since there don’t seem to be links in the video’s description the store where to get the M.2-to-Gen-Z adapter and the cable is called MicroSATACables. I can’t post links but they have a website and an eBay store.

[@willcurry6964]

Good info as always. I think it is time for Enterprise drives to come to desktops. The big boys who sell business and home drives don't want you to tell the world. Your going to change the industry and thier market pricing scheme. In my opinion, in a non server room of the home 3.5 spinning rust is dead and 2.5 SSD are way too slow these days and capacity is an issue. 2.5 inch U.3 SAS drives with much larger capacity and great speeds is the future in higher end Desktops. You may pay more but you get a dependable Hard Drive. Also, we need workstation Motherboards where you dont always need an adapter. It has taken them forever to provide some 10 gig ports on motherboards and it will take them forever for them to put SAS internal ports on Desktop boards, or never. They control all the strings.

[@chromerims]

Love this kind of content 👍 Highly entertaining & informative. Pls keep sharing your madnesses.

[@InstantCasette]

M.2 -> SFF-8654 (40cm) -> M.2 -> PCIe 4x works to reclaim some of my precious slots. It's also low profile enough to fit in my ncase N1 on the back of my itx board.

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

With a chain consisting of that many individual parts I would only trust it up to PCIe Gen3 and do extensive testing how many PCIe Bus Errors occur.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

You have reached level 2 young Wendell , proceed through the portal for your next quest.

[@jabezhane]

For a laugh I slotted a P1600X in my 7480 Dell Lattitude laptop as the main system drive. Works fine. Also a few weeks ago I added a 375GB P4800X U2 to my system using a Startech x4 card. Works a treat! Not PCIe4 but...just in case.

[@zacharytaylor8523]

This is why I can't wait to get on Sapphire Rapids or some AMD equivalent platform to have so many PCIe lanes where you don't have to adapt M.2 slots. My dream is to have some Icy Dock cages for both U.2 and E1.s (they have an e1.s cage in concept) And you can get PCIe cards with redrivers so you can take the lanes from your slots and run it to the cages

[@m.l.9385]

Yes, more PCIe lanes than i.e. AM5 are nice - but as a matter of fact much better usage of PCIe-lanes would be possible. Asus sells an AM4 motherboard with an PCIEx16 x8 x8 x8 setup and an U.2 on board - nothing like this is available for AM5. Gigabyte i.e. degraded the Aorus Xtreme* from AM4 to AM5 by diverting many lanes to M.2 but cutting the lanes for the 2nd (only 4) and 3rd(only 2) PCIe-slot as well as the lanes available for SATA. *Buildzoid even called the boartd an file copy enthusiast board...

[@mattparker9726]

0:50 LMAO that intro was awesome!

[@owlmostdead9492]

I just rewatched Monty Python yesterday, coincidence I think not!

[@LUFS]

This content is so helpful for other insane hobbyists- thank you so much for doing such stuff instead of the easy route. 😀

[@mattparker9726]

8:29😍😍 window of insanity, more please. Let's get INSANE IN THE MEMBRAIN!

[@MikeBob2023]

*Thank you,* Wendell! 🙏 7:03

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

4:16 The greatest latest Broadcom Support Quest howler is you describe issues with the latest firmware and drivers, they say they know about the issues, then they backpaddle (“It’s not a bug!”) and just send you a link to the latest firmware. #BSoDcom

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

Wow, Broadcom is reaching new lows: Years after releasing the P411W-32P they now plan to “remove support” for directly connected SSDs (which they sold expensive cables for) and say that you have to use it with an UMB backplane or an old bug-infested firmware. It’s not like their latest firmware works well. They really suck.

[@beansnrice321]

Love the through-line of Monty Python skits that runs from one Optane video to another. XD

[@vostav]

thanks wendell i know its late but i was able to get a micron 9300 pro to work with this adapter and cable setup. working on a msi x670e godlike,running it in a gen 4 m.2 slot.Correction also tested in pcie gen 5 slot in upper right corner, plug and play no issues to note

[@RyanCoomer]

Using my food handlers liscense I sneak 6 corndogs into buffets across the country. I'm on a mission to spread kindness with corndogs! I place the corndogs in my jacket pockets, enter the buffet amd head for the fried food section, I place the corndogs sneakily on a tray and then sit back and watch as other patrons of the buffet enjoy eating my corndogs thinking they came from the buffet and not my jacket pockets.

[@jenesuispasbavard]

Yeah I'm so glad my Optane 900p came with an M.2 to U.2 adapter. My desktop is now blazing fast! Thanks for all the Optane videos.

[@Gattberserk]

Wait didnt he say those free given adapter dun work with PCIe 4.0?

[@ProtoXoa]

Hands down, one of the best intro's ever!

[@Ozz465]

Slowly watching more and more of Wendell going deep, Love it .

[@superscuba73]

God bless you Wendel, you glorious bastard. I always appreciate your insight into niche markets.

[@j0rd346]

Absolutely incredible

[@bluephreakr]

I can tell you why the industry is "Taking your PCI ports" - the PCI slots we'd normally be able to use is being covered by GPUs. What we _really_ need is a fibreglass PCB that'll take the 1x PCI ports from the motherboard and redirect them to M.2, which can then be adapted to any variety of things as-needed to add functionality in the absence of using PCI conventionally.

[@dr.fistingstein1566]

Hahaha I loved the fractured sanity at the end. Gold.

[@NickByers-og9cx]

Now if only we had a cheap PCIE 5.0 x16 to 4.0 x32 PLX Switch!

[@carbongrip2108]

exactly, we have little use for PCIe 5.0 x16 bandwidth yet but would greatly like the break that out to multiple PCIe 4.0 devices.

[@stephen1r2]

or even silly things like PCIE 4.0x4 -> 2x V3.0x4 to properly double up older m.2s

[@thom1218]

Can you run an ATTO benchmark to show how these improve performance over the out-of-the box adapter that Intel provides for their U.2 drives (e.g. the 905p)?

[@jamesm5192]

End up finding any benchies for this setup?

[@Crossfire2003]

Interesting stuff!

[@ewitte12]

I've been using a 7.68TB PM9A3 off a PCIe adapter and haven't had any issues. Need to work on selling my Sabre Raven lol.

[@Jack-qj2pr]

Just staring at that WRX80 SAGE system and thinking about how ASUS finally fixed the broken CDROM emulation in the BMC, when loading ISO from the micro SD card. I MAY have emailed ASUS about it roughly a month ago, with a video showing it being broken, and they sent me some firmware to test that fixes it. Is so happy.

[@carbongrip2108]

Glad Im not the only one that could figure out how exactly to get PCIe 4.0 U.2 working... also Oculink, that's not exactly easy to breakout to U.2 drive either.

[@arigornstrider]

Love the intro!

[@gregoryfricker9971]

That intro was amazing

[@Interbert]

Wendel and the Holy Grail

[@EvilDesktop]

Thanks, I was looking for one of those to buy a PCIe5 enterprise drive. Yeah, I'm one of the crazy ones. But when I saw the price ~30$ on amazon or ~10-700$ on aliexpress(which is exactly the same hardware) I just let it go

[@meatbyproducts]

I gave a like for the intro alone!

[@grantmcgregor1571]

I was just about to finish a build tonight doing just this with the alberconn connector in question. My face is red, but at least I know.

[@Raintiger88]

haha, makes me laugh a bit. You saved me massive headaches on a video I watched where you said Gen 4 was difficult. I've learned to live with Gen 3 for my enterprise nvme SSDs. In my use case with 10gbe in my home, it's absolutely fine. I never want to look at another HDD again.

[@ImTheKaiser]

Love the intro

[@techtechuw597]

I am using this NGFF PCI-E 16X to 4 Ports U.2 U2 Split Expansion Card SFF-8639 NVME PCIE SSD Adapter from Aliexpress for my Optanes. It works, but I would prefer if it worked in x8 mode for 2 drives, So I could also use the second x16 slot on my AM4 motherboard. Unfortunately it only works if the slot is in full x16 (4x4x4x4) mode.

[@MyAmazingUsername]

I was looking at that exact card and wondered if it can do 1-port operation in a single X4 slot (16-wide physically but only X4 lanes in total). I guess it can't? I ended up getting the single-port version instead since I wasn't brave enough to try the 4-port version.

[@PointingLasersAtAircraft]

Great intro!

[@lesezeichen7203]

I love this guy.

[@GeoffSeeley]

I suspect the opening of this video is an accurate representation of what Wendell's brain is like on the inside.... and it's glorious!

[@michaelmcconnell-mr2oz]

WE MUST PROTECT THIS MAN AT ALL COSTS

[@glej72]

I feel like an enabler giving this insane person my $2 monthly...

[@AricBlunk]

I was really curious about getting a P5800X just to have the incredible IOPS and latency and durability, but I suspected it would be a chore like this. Thanks for figuring out how to make it happen.

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

The easiest way to get two U.2/U.3 PCIe Gen4 reliably to work is the PCIe x8-to-2xU.2 adapter Delock 90091 that can actually handle PCIe Gen4. There are many, many similar adapters from Amazon/eBay/AliExpress et al. that can actually only function up to PCIe Gen3 properly and cause a boat load of PCIe Bus Errors as soon as you use them with PCIe Gen4 SSDs.

[@chaigtin259]

@@abavariannormiepleb9470 Is the price of the Delock 90091 really $288 (262 euros)? That seems high since there don't seem to be any components on the board, it's just a PCI slot with a couple of whatever those connectors are called on the U.2 SSD.

[@flepgg]

I would totally buy a "ready to go" kit to have one of those Enterprise drivers into my AM4 X570 system

[@jjjuhl]

Brilliant intro :-D

[@denvera1g1]

'What do you mean which platform? waaaaoaooooaaoaoaaa" This made my day, thank you.

[@Dan-Simms]

A mad Wendell makes for great content.

[@AndreiNeacsu]

You have to know these things when you're a king.

[@NANA-yn3fp]

I too, love descending into tech madness....muahahahaa

[@cmoullasnet]

I really wish they'd just start putting these NGFF or mini-SAS connectors directly on ITX (or all) boards to expose the additional PCIe lanes. Then your possibilities are greatly expanded!

[@thelaughingmanofficial]

At this point to get more PCIE slots you have to buy an SSI EEB-spec motherboard. (The normies among us call them E-ATX but if you watch Gamers Nexus you know E-ATX is not a thing).

[@rushipatel4877]

Just recently played this game with a Sonnet Fusion Dual and Intel Optane 900p and an Intel P4510 8TB.

[@inphuriated]

Bravely bold Sir Wendell ♪

[@johndoe7270]

Sub'd just for the Python. That Z690 Godlike is a nice looking board. I wish it had a U2 port. I'm tempted to build a HEDT system for photography.

[@randallpage8402]

Wendell looks good in a Crown & chainmail.

[@tyrecies]

NICE!

[@somehow_not_helpfulATcrap]

Woah nelly. Wendel is looking as slim and performant as the parts he's talking about. The Kwisatz Haderach of PC components is nearly on us.

[@-gg8342]

I love the Holy Grail skits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mytime34]

Is there a guide, to what dipswitches need to be set per motherboard?

[@ingoos]

Best most funny intro ever! ROFL

[@lummoxicide1502]

Love the Monty Python reference 👍

[@drewwilson8756]

Ah yes. The ol' no compromises but ultimately you always have to compromise quest. I too know this struggle.

[@KrumpetKruncher]

Did anyone catch the name of that card/cable or where to get it? He said he would post it in the description . . . (PS, I use an oculink cable on a pcie x4 Gen 4 riser for my p5800 and I seem to still get full bandwidth)

[@SuperMari026]

Diner always tastes a lot better if I can eat it while watching this channel.

[@smoshGaming]

he's gone mad with power

[@hmurchison8123]

Pretty soon we're going to have to change your name to Fit Wendell. Keep up the good work.

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

Now that PCIe Gen4 is almost “too easy” let’s start the circle of pain all over again with PCIe Gen5 adapters :)

[@dylan1234540]

I don't see any links for the products?

[@Nedski42YT]

Wendell, which dip-switch IRQ do I set for my SoundBlaster 16? Do I have to set the HEX address as well? 🤔

[@chaigtin259]

I didn't see any "link below" do you mean in the forums somewhere?

[@zblackrider]

LOL! Wendal is a beautiful mind.

[@jakedill1304]

I have u.2 on my motherboard I don't know if it has dedicated channels though I'll have to see what it shares and then I might pick up Enterprise SSD or something take advantage of it.. it seemed more like an afterthought though and it's still x570 so it's not like hedt platform or anything.. I'll have to look it's so hard to find like legitimate specs for your own motherboard

[@kellyslow5506]

I loved that intro! Hahahahahahahaha!

[@devplayer0]

Great stuff Wendell! I too lament the PCIe layout of the new motherboards - I want to mess with rdma and have my storage in another machine :P Also from my day job your Broadcom experience matches mine to the letter...

[@abavariannormiepleb9470]

It was I (and recently another user in the forum) that has been in Broadcom Support Hell for almost a year. :(

[@lummoxicide1502]

Wendell is an absolute CHAD for pushing them Optane SSD drives

[@lcsantos777]

Best intro!

[@tokiomitohsaka7770]

The perfect intro doesn’t exi- … Wendell: Hold my drive.

[@SunDancerGE]

"There are some who call me... Tim." As a Tim I highly agree with the theming of this video! 8)

[@timramich]

I just got one of the SuperMicro x8 retimer cards for gen 3.

[@maestro0428]

As an Optane user I approve of this video! Slammin the like!

[@gregblank247]

Links for the cable, the adapter, and that fastest drive? :)

[@3Dsirius]

Great video man, keep posting, ha ha ha, haaa haaa haaa.

[@mjn96]

Since apparently no one else has a proper idea of the matter, I am gonna ask here ; is there a Thunderbolt to u.2 connector solution? Since gen 3 x4 connection basically saturates the Thunderbolt, if you want the full speed you are not supposed to connect nuch else to that tb port. We basically need a solution to use refurbished u.2 gen 3 drives as a simple external drive!

[@pat727321]

Holy Grail is great

[@mrfilipelaureanoaguiar]

Good to know it exists and works. Gimme and ssd like that and I will use a u.2 port somewhere 😁👍🏼 BTW, doesn't Asrock made a m.2 to u.2 kit that works?

[@exilonone]

Asrock m.2 to u.2 works as gen3 only(

[@Ryet9]

I feel imma see a E-ATX mobo with only m.2 & a single riser cable soldered onto the PCB very soon

[@serom1021]

such a great intro lol.

[@These_Old_Engines]

ALL HAIL THE RETURN OF THE DIP SWITCHES, ONCE THEY WERE DEAD....NOW THEY HAVE RETURNED!

[@gedavids84]

I think it was This Old Tony who was the first youtuber I saw pose the question, "when did it become ok to sell trash?" Like it used to be that you'd buy a thing it would do the thing it said it would. Maybe not forever, maybe only once or twice even, but it would do it. This video seems to be in the same vein as that rant.