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The ASUS TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI D4 has four M.2 Key M sockets and four SATA 6 Gb/s ports. All four M.2 slots support PCIe 4.0 x4 drives, but only M.2_2 is documented for both PCIe and SATA M.2 drives. Slot lengths also differ, so check the drive’s interface and size before installing it.
How many SSD slots does the board have?
ASUS specifies four M.2 Key M sockets plus four SATA 6 Gb/s ports for the exact TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI D4 model. These are different connection types: M.2 describes a drive’s physical format, while its interface may be PCIe/NVMe or SATA. The similarly named DDR5 and non-WiFi variants are not the model covered here.
ASUS’s TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI D4 specifications and User Manual, V3 list the following slot support:
| Slot | Connection and drive interface | Supported lengths |
|---|---|---|
| M.2_1 | CPU-connected; PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 |
| M.2_2 | Z690 chipset; PCIe 4.0 x4 or SATA M.2 | 2242, 2260, 2280 |
| M.2_3 | Z690 chipset; PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 |
| M.2_4 | Z690 chipset; PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2242, 2260, 2280 |
Which M.2 slot supports a SATA drive?
M.2_2 is the only socket ASUS explicitly lists as supporting both PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA M.2 modes. A SATA M.2 drive should therefore go in M.2_2. The other three slots are specified for PCIe 4.0 x4; ASUS does not list SATA M.2 support for them.
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What drive size should you choose?
The four-digit size code identifies the drive’s width and length in millimeters: for example, 2280 means 22 mm wide and 80 mm long. ASUS lists support for 2242, 2260, and 2280 drives in every socket. The longer 22110 format is listed only for M.2_1 and M.2_3.
- For a PCIe/NVMe drive: all four sockets are specified for PCIe 4.0 x4. Match its physical length to the slot’s supported sizes.
- For a SATA M.2 drive: use M.2_2, the only socket with SATA mode listed.
- For a 22110 drive: choose M.2_1 or M.2_3; the other two sockets do not list that length.
What about SATA ports, RAID, and included hardware?
In addition to the M.2 sockets, the board has four SATA 6 Gb/s ports for compatible SATA storage devices. ASUS lists Intel Rapid Storage Technology support for NVMe RAID 0/1/5 and SATA RAID 0/1/5/10. Those are manufacturer-listed capabilities, not a guarantee that every drive combination, BIOS configuration, operating system, or boot setup will work; consult the manual for configuration requirements.
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The specifications identify an M.2 heatsink feature and list an M.2 screw package. ASUS’s manual notes, “The M.2 SSD module is purchased separately.” The presence of a heatsink feature does not establish a particular temperature or cooling benefit.
Can you use a multi-drive M.2 expansion card?
ASUS includes this board in a support FAQ about PCIe bifurcation compatibility for PCIe M.2 expansion cards. The FAQ does not provide enough clear board-specific detail to prescribe a particular card or drive arrangement. Check the board manual and BIOS instructions for the exact card and configuration before buying or installing one. See ASUS’s PCIe bifurcation compatibility FAQ.
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