Sonnet M.2 4x4 Silent PCIe Card User Manual

®

For
Windows

Sonnet M.

Quick Start Guide

2

4

x

4

PCIe

Card

Introduction, Compatibility Information, and Card Description

Congratulations on your purchase! The Sonnet M.2 4x4 PCIe
Card provides a handy way to install up to four M.2 format
PCIe SSDs into a PCIe slot. macOS
Thunderbolt

™

compatible, this card works in computers and

®

, Windows®, Linux®, and

Thunderbolt-to-PCIe card expansion systems.

Support Note: This document was up to date at the

time of printing. However, changes to the hardware or
software may have occurred since then. Please check the Sonnet
website for the latest documentation.

1. Go to www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php

2. Click the Computer Cards link.

3. Click the PCIe Cards link.

4. Click the Sonnet M.2 4x4 PCIe Card link, and then click the

Manual link.

5. Click the Sonnet M.2 4x4 PCIe Card (Silent) Quick Start

Guide [English] link, and then check the Document Version
information. If the version listed is later than this document
(revision E), click the Download Now button for the latest
version.

Mac® Compatibility

• Mac Pro® 5,1 (Mid 2010 & Mid 2012) with available full-length
x16 PCIe card slot

• Mac Pro 7,1 (2019) – Use x16 PCIe slot (slot 3, 4, or 5) for full
performance

• macOS 10.13.6+

Windows Compatibility

• Computer with available full-length, full-height x16 PCIe card
slot (PCIe 3.0 slot preferred; PCIe bifurcation not required)

• Windows 10 (64-bit Edition Version 1809 or greater)

Linux Compatibility

• Computer with available full-length, full-height x16 PCIe card
slot (PCIe 3.0 slot preferred; PCIe bifurcation not required)

• Linux Kernel 5.0+

Thunderbolt Compatibility

• Mac computer with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 2 ports via
a Thunderbolt 3 or 2 to PCIe card expansion system with
available full-length x16 PCIe card slot

• Windows computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports via a
Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe card expansion system with available
full-length x16 PCIe card slot

• Linux computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports via a Thunderbolt 3
to PCIe card expansion system with available full-length x16
PCIe card slot

M.2 SSD Compatibilty

Both single- and double-sided (components on both sides) SSDs
are supported. (Note that the earlier version of this card supports only
single-sided SSDs without thermal pad modification). To view a list
of compatible SSDs, please visit the Sonnet website at: https://
sonnettech.com/support/downloads/manuals/M2_compatiblity.pdf

Card Description

1 – M.2 SSD Sockets

The Sonnet M.2 4x4 PCIe Card supports the installation
of four single- or double-sided M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe SSDs
with “M” key connectors. When configuring them as RAID
volumes, Sonnet recommends the use of identical SSDs.

2 – SSD Heatsink

Backed with a thermal transfer pad that contacts the SSDs’
components, the heatsink conducts heat away from the SSDs.

3 – Thermal Transfer Pad (Thickest, Full-Size)

Apply this to the card when you install single-sided SSDs;
instructions follow.

4, 5 – Thermal Transfer Pads (Medium and Thin, Half-Size)

Apply these to the card when you install double-sided SSDs;
instructions follow.

2

SSD and Card Installation Steps

Support Note: When handling computer

products, you must take care to prevent
components from being damaged by static electricity.
Before opening your computer or removing parts
from their packages, always ground yourself first by
touching a metal part of the computer, such as a
port access cover, and work in an area free of static
electricity; avoid carpeted areas. Handle all electronic
components by their edges, and avoid touching
connector traces and component pins.

1. Handling the card by its edges, remove the Sonnet
M.2 4x4 PCIe Card from its packaging.

2. Place the card upside-down on a flat, level surface
(Figure 1).

3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the five screws
securing the heatsink to the card (Figure 1). Set
aside the screws.

4. Flip the card over, and then remove the four screws
as shown (Figure 2). Set aside the screws.

Figure 1

Support Note: The earlier version of this

product shipped with a full-size thermal transfer
pad pre-attached (and no separate pads included in
the package), limiting compatibility to single-sided
SSDs (components on one side only). If this is the case
with your card, please skip to step 21 to complete the
SSD installation.

WARNING: You are required to install either one

or two thermal transfer pads on the M.2 4x4
PCIe Card before installing SSDs. It is critical that you use
the correct pad or pads, determined by the type of SSDs
you install. Using the wrong pad(s) may result in poor
performance, or may possibly damage the card.

5. Determine whether you are installing single- or
double-sided SSDs (components on one or both
sides). If you are installing single-sided SSDs,
remove the thickest, full-size thermal transfer pad
from its packaging. Otherwise, skip to step 12.

6. Carefully peel off the backing material from one
side of the pad.

Figure 2

7. Starting with one edge, carefully apply the pad
to the card between the SSD sockets and retainer
screw screw holes; make sure to avoid trapping air
bubbles (Figure 3).

8. Rub the pad all over to ensure good contact with
the card (Figure 3).

Figure 3

3