GA-Z170x-SOC-Force & M2 Slots

[Meat Juice]

I have all the SATA ports on this board populated. I do not use a RAID array. I am eager to purchase/install the new Samsung 960 EVO 250GB PCIe M.2. I am aware that this disables SATA ports. When reviewing forum posts, people most often report that each M.2 drive installed disables two SATA ports. The manual for this board seems to suggest otherwise. I need fresh eyes to confirm how many SATA drives I lose if I put an M.2 drive in the M2A slot. To me it looks like installing the M.2 drive in the M2A slot disables the SATA3_0 port only making this a viable upgrade for me. Please see the attachment.

[dmdilks]

It all is in which slot you put it in. Plus if you use the 3rd slot the at the bottom. You might still have one that is disabled. By the screenshot it show a "X" in the "0" slot. That is some thing you will have to test.

[shadowsports]

What dmdilks said is correct.  The available resources change based on the port and type of drive used.  For AHCI with an x4 M.2 you will lose only one port SATA3_0.  When you are using only one M.2, I think the lower port is preferred if memory serves.   

[Meat Juice]

We all seem to be seeing the same thing. Accordingly I will purchase the drive and install into the M2A slot as I don't lose any capacity for storage. Thank you both for your time. I found it helpful.