SATA can be primary or non-primary depending on the system configuration.
SATA can be primary or non-primary depending on the system configuration.
I was exploring motherboard details and saw a note suggesting only connect the main hard drives. For everything else, it means you should use the non-primary drives. This likely refers to performance—primary drives usually offer faster access times, which can improve boot speeds and overall system responsiveness. It might also relate to BIOS/OS settings, though the exact meaning depends on your specific configuration.
Likely HP or Dell designed the setup to be straightforward, focusing on basic SATA connections for operating systems. They probably set the BIOS to only recognize the first SATA port as the default for OS installation, aiming to cut down on tech support inquiries. Some CPUs include multiple SATA and USB ports built into the chipset, like a Ryzen model with two SATA ports. However, manufacturers can disable or reroute these ports, which may affect RAID configurations since different controllers handle data paths.
You're correct about the HP motherboard from the Elitedesk 800 SFF, and it’s good you pointed that out! It seems the NVME option might not be available as a boot drive. The manual you shared is the right place for details—just make sure to note the exact model name there.
Consider only the operating system available on that specific SATA port within all SATA ports. The BIOS might support NVMe drives, SCSI devices (if present), and network booting options, but this was just an assumption—it doesn't reflect the actual situation.