Question M.2 Key Compatibility

[jordow47]

I'm going to be building a system for a friend soon, I have everything in place but want to include an M.2 drive. But the mobo (MSI Tomahawk B450) states that the m.2 port is an M key. The M.2 i've been looking at is a Western Digital WDS240G2G0B but this is an B + M key. I can't really find any sources that confirm if it works or not.
Will this still fit and be compatible with the board in question?

 

[alexoiu]

Yes, it's compatible. However, I suggest considering a PCIe M.2 drive.

 

[jordow47]

Yes, it's compatible. However, I suggest considering a PCIe M.2 drive.

Thanks! Whats the difference? I have one in my PC but wasn't actually sure on the overall benefit.

 

[USAFRet]

That WD drive you already have is a M.2 SATA III drive.
And a weak sister even in that world.

Your motherboard can take either a M.2 SATA drive or an M.2 NVMe drive.

NVMe drives are the fast ones.


Your chosen motherboard, however, only has 1 M.2 port.

 

[jordow47]

That WD drive you already have is a M.2 SATA III drive.
And a weak sister even in that world.

Your motherboard can take either a M.2 SATA drive or an M.2 NVMe drive.

NVMe drives are the fast ones.


Your chosen motherboard, however, only has 1 M.2 port.

Ahhh okay! I worded my previous response poorly, I meant that I have an m.2 as well and mine happens to be an NVMe drive. I wasn't sure on the initial difference, but i'll add in the NVMe one for my friend. I know that his mobo will only have one port for it, but I only want it for the OS. Thanks for your help!