MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi SSD Slots: Expert Upgrade Guide

The MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi is an AM5 micro-ATX board for Ryzen 7000/8000, featuring dual M.2 slots for blazing NVMe storage. This guide covers slot specs, installation steps, and BIOS optimization to hit PCIe 5.0 speeds where possible.

Ideal for compact builds, it balances price and performance with WiFi 6E. Avoid common errors like thermal throttling by following our detailed process.

SSD Slot Overview

Two M.2 slots: One PCIe5 x4, one PCIe4 x4.

  • M.2_1: CPU-direct PCIe 5.0.
  • M.2_2: Chipset PCIe 4.0.
  • Both 2280/22110 support.

Pre-Installation Prep

Ensure latest BIOS for stability.

  • 1. Download MSI BIOS flash tool.
  • 2. Backup data.
  • 3. Ground workstation.

Installing PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD

Flagship slot for OS.

  • 1. Remove PCIe shield.
  • 2. Insert drive, secure screw.
  • 3. Apply included heatsink.
  • 4. Boot to BIOS, enable PCIe Gen5.

Adding Second SSD

No sharing issues.

  • 1. Locate M.2_2 below.
  • 2. Install similarly.
  • 3. Format in Disk Management.
  • 4. Set RAID if desired.

Optimization and Benchmarks

Expect 10k+ MB/s reads.

  • Tune with Ryzen Master.
  • Monitor with HWInfo.
  • Add aftermarket heatsinks.
  • Test endurance with AS SSD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does M.2_1 support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?

Yes, with Ryzen 7000+ CPU. Runs at 4.0 on older.

Are SATA SSDs compatible?

Yes, but use M.2 SATA mode in BIOS.

Max capacity per slot?

8TB tested; no official limit.

WiFi interference?

No, dedicated PCIe lanes.

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