M.2 E-key compatibility to ASM1166

#1

In the tech specs of the Orion O6, the M.2 E-key slot is listed under the Ethernet section and states that the slot is compatible with WiFi and BT modules. I understand that this slot is mostly used for such modules. But I wonder if it is also compatible to other PCIe devices. For example, can I use an E-key to M-key adapter (see image) to use the Radxa M.2 to Hexa SATA adapter and connect 6 HDDs? Or are there limitations in the hardware or the driver?

M.2 E-key to M-key adapter
Scd435e2a575340748741129b79e3105eA.jpg1000Ă—1000

Radxa Rock5 RK3588 SBC: PCIe lanes clarification
#2

It should be possible, slot A+E is prepared for wifi cards, but it’s just connector type. In specs there should be “Connectivity” header instead of Ethernet.
For A+E to M adapter - pay attention to one detail. Most of those will wire only one pcie line because most such slots has only one. ASM1166 uses 2x pcie 3.0, slot has 2x 4.0, so You may end up with 25% of port speed. You can get A+E to full pcie adapter (like this one and find better, full sized card.

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#3

Indeed that’s the case on my Rock5 ITX: the optane card is only connected in x1 via this adapter while the slot apparently supports x2. Not critical for me, it’s the rootfs, but still something to keep in mind.

#4

Hmm, are You sure that a+e m.2 slot has two pcie lines? I don’t see docs for 5 ITX+ but non plus version seems to have one line ?

1 Like
#5

Bah you’re right of course, it’s the device that supports the two lanes, we don’t know for the slot in lspci:

        LnkCap: Port #0, Speed 8GT/s, Width x2, ASPM L1, Exit Latency L1 unlimited
                ClockPM+ Surprise- LLActRep- BwNot- ASPMOptComp+
        LnkCtl: ASPM Disabled; RCB 64 bytes, LnkDisable- CommClk+
                ExtSynch- ClockPM- AutWidDis- BWInt- AutBWInt-
        LnkSta: Speed 5GT/s (downgraded), Width x1 (downgraded)
                TrErr- Train- SlotClk+ DLActive- BWMgmt- ABWMgmt-