Slots TRP Z390 E M.2 Slots: Full Review & Benchmarks

TRP Z390-E motherboards pack robust M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, supporting PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds up to 64Gbps. Ideal for gamers and creators needing RAID 0 storage arrays.

This review lists all slots, compatibility, heatsinks, and overclocking impacts on a budget Intel platform.

Primary M.2 Slot (CPU Lane)

Full x4 PCIe 3.0, NVMe only. Best for boot drive.

  • 3500MB/s reads
  • Heatsink included
  • RAID capable

Secondary M.2 (Chipset x4)

Supports 2280/22110. SATA/NVMe hybrid.

  • Shared with SATA ports
  • Thermal pad upgrade
  • Samsung 970 EVO fit

Third M.2 Slot Specs

x2 mode max. For extra storage.

  • Budget SSD spot
  • No RAID
  • Easy BIOS enable

Benchmark Performance List

CrystalDiskMark tests vs Z490.

  • Seq read: 3400MB/s
  • 4K random: 55 IOPS
  • RAID0 doubles speeds

Compatibility and Issues

Gen4 cards downclock; BIOS 1400+.

  • Optane support
  • Win10/11 drivers
  • Q-Code errors fix

Upgrade Tips Review

Add M.2 expander for 4+ drives.

  • Best SSDs: WD Black
  • Cooler tweaks
  • Value vs B550

Frequently Asked Questions

How many M.2 slots on Z390-E?

Three: 1x CPU x4, 2x chipset (x4/x2).

Does it support PCIe 4.0?

No, limited to 3.0; future BIOS no help.

RAID 0 possible?

Yes, up to 2x NVMe for speed boosts.

Thermal throttling common?

Rare with stock heatsink; add pads for 990 Pro.

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