MSI X570-A Pro M.2 Slots: Full Review and Setup Guide

The MSI X570-A Pro motherboard shines in 2026 with dual M.2 slots supporting PCIe 4.0 speeds up to 7000MB/s. Ideal for gamers and creators, it handles NVMe SSDs flawlessly alongside fellowship-style gem slot expansions in custom builds.

This guide reviews specs, installation, BIOS tweaks, and compatibility for optimal performance.

M.2 Slot Specifications

  1. Slot 1: PCIe 4.0 x4, up to 2280 size.
  2. Slot 2: PCIe 3.0 x4, shared with GPU lanes.
  3. Supports RAID 0/1 configurations.

Active cooling recommended for sustained loads.

  • Boot from either slot
  • Dissipator included

Step-by-Step M.2 Installation

  1. Power off and unplug PC.
  2. Remove cooler, locate M.2 slots near CPU.
  3. Insert SSD at 30-degree angle, secure screw.
  4. Reassemble and boot to BIOS.
  • Thermal pads mandatory
  • Cable routing tips

BIOS Configuration for Max Speed

  1. Enter BIOS (Del key).
  2. Enable PCIe 4.0 in Advanced > Storage.
  3. Set boot priority to NVMe.
  4. Update to latest 2026 firmware.
  • XMP for RAM synergy
  • Resizable BAR enable

Troubleshooting and Benchmarks

  1. Check Device Manager for detection.
  2. Test speeds with CrystalDiskMark.
  3. Monitor temps via HWInfo.

Avg. 6500MB/s read/write in tests.

  • Common errors fixed
  • Gem slot expansions compatible

Expansion and Compatibility

Pair with fellowship gem slots for storage arrays.

  • AMD Ryzen 5000/7000 support
  • Future-proof for 2026+

Frequently Asked Questions

How many M.2 slots on MSI X570-A Pro?

Two high-speed M.2 slots: one PCIe 4.0, one PCIe 3.0.

Does it support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?

Backward compatible, but capped at PCIe 4.0 speeds.

Can both slots run simultaneously?

Yes, with minor lane sharing on second slot.

Recommended SSDs for 2026?

Samsung 990 Pro or WD Black SN850X for peak performance.

How to enable RAID?

BIOS > Integrated Peripherals > RAID mode.

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