The Pro B760-VC WIFI is a popular motherboard choice for gamers, content creators, and PC enthusiasts. One of the most common questions about this board is: How many storage slots does it have? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Pro B760-VC WIFI’s storage options, including M.2 slots, SATA ports, and tips for maximizing your storage setup.
Understanding Storage Slots and Compatibility
Storage slots on a motherboard determine how many SSDs and hard drives you can install. The Pro B760-VC WiFi comes with:
- Two M.2 slots for PCIe NVMe SSDs
- Four SATA III ports for HDDs and SATA SSDs
- PCIe lanes that can be used for storage expansion
These slots provide flexibility for high-speed boot drives, bulk storage, and future upgrades. If you’re using both M.2 slots, some PCIe lanes may be shared, which can limit expansion in other areas.
How Many M.2 Slots Does the Pro B760-VC WiFi Have?
The Pro B760-VC WiFi comes with two M.2 slots, which provide a significant speed boost compared to SATA drives. The primary M.2 slot supports PCIe 4.0 x4, which is currently one of the fastest storage interfaces. The secondary M.2 slot supports PCIe 3.0 x4, which is slightly slower but still performs well.
M.2 Slot Breakdown:
- First M.2 Slot (PCIe 4.0 x4): Supports ultra-fast NVMe SSDs with speeds up to 7000 MB/s. Ideal for operating systems and high-performance applications.
- Second M.2 Slot (PCIe 3.0 x4): Supports NVMe SSDs, though at lower speeds compared to PCIe 4.0. Suitable for secondary storage needs.
- Limited SATA M.2 Support: While NVMe SSDs work best in these slots, some SATA M.2 drives may be compatible. However, using an M.2 SATA SSD may limit other storage options due to PCIe lane sharing.
Before installing an M.2 SSD, it’s important to check if using both slots will disable any PCIe or SATA lanes, as some motherboards have bandwidth-sharing restrictions.
SATA Ports: Are They Still Useful?
Even though NVMe drives are faster, SATA ports still play a big role. This motherboard has four SATA III ports, allowing users to connect HDDs or SATA SSDs.
- For gamers: SATA SSDs work well as secondary storage for game libraries.
- For content creators: Large HDDs (4TB-10TB) are useful for storing raw footage, images, and backup files.
- For general users: A mix of SATA SSD + HDD offers speed and affordability.
Even though NVMe drives are faster, SATA ports still play a big role. This motherboard has four SATA III ports, allowing users to connect HDDs or SATA SSDs.
Selecting the Best SSDs for the Pro B760-VC WiFi
Choosing the right SSD is crucial for achieving the best performance and efficiency. Depending on your needs, there are different storage options that work well with this motherboard.
Top PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
- Samsung 990 Pro – Fastest PCIe 4.0 SSD, ideal for gaming and high-speed workloads.
- WD Black SN850X – Excellent for content creation and high-performance applications.
- Seagate FireCuda 530 – Best endurance and reliability for demanding users.
Affordable NVMe SSDs for Budget Users
- Crucial P5 Plus – Reliable and affordable PCIe 4.0 option.
- Kingston NV2 – Good PCIe 3.0 SSD for secondary storage or budget builds.
- WD Blue SN570 – Lower-cost NVMe SSD with solid performance for general use.
SATA SSDs for Traditional Storage Needs
- Samsung 870 EVO – Most reliable SATA SSD with good speed and durability.
- Crucial MX500 – Budget-friendly SATA SSD that works well for backups and OS installation.
- Kingston A400 – Basic SSD option for users upgrading from HDDs.
Choosing the right SSD ensures faster boot times, smooth data transfer, and long-lasting performance.
BIOS Settings and Storage Optimization
To get the best performance out of your storage, configuring the BIOS settings correctly is essential.
- Enable AHCI mode to optimize SSD read/write speeds.
- Adjust PCIe bandwidth settings if using multiple M.2 drives to maximize NVMe performance.
- Enable XMP profiles for RAM, as memory speeds can sometimes impact storage access times.
A well-optimized BIOS ensures that your storage drives operate at their full potential.
Can You Expand Storage Beyond Built-in Slots?
For users who require more than two M.2 slots or four SATA ports, there are multiple ways to expand storage without replacing the motherboard.
- PCIe to M.2 adapters allow extra NVMe SSDs via unused PCIe lanes.
- SATA expansion cards add more SATA ports for extra HDDs or SSDs.
- External storage solutions such as USB SSDs or NAS drives provide additional storage without occupying internal slots.
These expansion options make it possible to scale storage based on your growing needs.
How Does Pro B760-VC WiFi Compare to Other Motherboards?
When comparing motherboards, storage flexibility is an important factor. While the Pro B760-VC WiFi offers a good balance of M.2 and SATA slots, some alternatives provide more storage options.
- ASUS TUF B760-PLUS includes three M.2 slots, making it a better option for users who need more NVMe storage.
- MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk provides six SATA ports, making it more suitable for bulk storage users.
- Gigabyte B760 AORUS Elite has a mix of PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 support, offering better future-proofing for fast SSDs.
Depending on your storage needs, some of these alternatives may be worth considering.
Final Thoughts on the Pro B760-VC WiFi Storage Setup
The Pro B760-VC WiFi motherboard offers a well-rounded storage configuration that suits a variety of users. With two M.2 slots and four SATA ports, it provides flexibility for fast NVMe SSDs and traditional SATA storage.
For gamers and performance enthusiasts, using a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD ensures fast load times and smooth operation. Those requiring large storage capacity for files, backups, or media libraries will benefit from the available SATA ports.
This motherboard is an excellent choice for users who need a reliable storage setup without excessive limitations. However, if you need more M.2 slots or additional SATA ports, consider alternative B760 motherboards that offer expanded storage capacity.