Anyone using U.2 to PCIe Adapters?

[jamiejunk]

We have some older servers where we'd like to utilize some U.2 NVME drives. Our SAS3 backplane doesn't support U.2 NVME drives. We have a lot of unused PCI 8X slots in the machine. So I thought maybe we'd utilize some of the Startech U.2 to PCIe Adapter (https://www.startech.com/en-us/hdd/pex4sff8639).

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these and or if anyone is using them in production.

 

[LurkingLoris]

I am using this kind of adapter. Its works as expected. Just not forget to set the PCI slot as x4x4 instead of x8.

 

[rvassar]

I haven't used the PCIe slot adapters, but I have used quite a few U.2 NVMe drives. Make sure you allow for good airflow, and monitor the temps. They can generate quite a bit of heat!

 

[jamiejunk]

I haven't used the PCIe slot adapters, but I have used quite a few U.2 NVMe drives. Make sure you allow for good airflow, and monitor the temps. They can generate quite a bit of heat!

This is a 2U server. I have four 8X PCI slots all on top of each other. I was hoping to use all four slots. But yeah.. I worry about them being to close together and the airflow.

 

[rvassar]

This is a 2U server. I have four 8X PCI slots all on top of each other. I was hoping to use all four slots. But yeah.. I worry about them being to close together and the airflow.

A 2U server should have pretty aggressive fans. I've only had problems with 2U front BP tight stacking and R&D fans velcro'ed in place, waiting for thermal engineering to catch up. Let's just say my fingerprints needed a couple days to recover...

So I'll suggest the PCIe slot blades have vents, and as long as you're monitoring temps, give it go...