EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N (121-RL-E799)
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Installing M.2 Devices
Installing M.2 Key-M Socket 3 Devices
Installing an M.2 device to the motherboard requires a few extra steps compared to
other drives or PCIe slot-based devices. M.2 devices used on this motherboard - Socket
3 (for SSDs) and Socket 1 (for WiFi/Bluetooth) – are installed differently.
Below are images from an installation of an SSD on a Socket 3 Key-M 110mm slot of
the Z790 DARK K|NGP|N. This motherboard has three (3) 110mm M.2 slots, all
covered by a heatsink to provide additional cooling.
1. Remove the M.2 Cover
Remove the heatsink. The heatsink is
secured by six (6) screws.
Now visible are three pre-attached
screws in the 110mm location and
three pre-installed thermal pads on the
M.2 slots. Three screw/standoffs are
included with the MB accessories.
The pre-attached screws are used to secure 110mm M.2 devices. Make sure to
replace these pre-attached screws prior to replacing the M.2 heatsink.
The screw/standoffs can be used to install 80mm or 42mm M.2 devices.
Each screw/standoff set includes a small screw to fasten the M.2 device and a
hollow standoff that can be installed/uninstalled with a screwdriver to move the
standoff to a different interval length.
These sets should only be used for
80mm and 42mm M.2 devices.
