M.2 Slot - SSD Drive or WiFi

[THRobinson]

Was looking to build a new HTPC system using a Mini ITX board to save some space. Just learning about those SSD drives/modules and finding the info a bit overwhelming deciphering what will fit and work.

I was looking at something like the ASRock H110M-ITX/ac board. Using the filters to show boards with an M.2 slot, it came up... but when reading the specs, it says "1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT module".

So, are the M.2 slots for WiFi? SSD Card/Drives? or are they like a PCI slot and you can put whatever fits in there?

Ideally, I'd like to get a small 16-32GB card, just for the OS and KODI... maybe Windows, but may try LINUX out since I hear a lot about it. Played with Ubuntu a little but, only for a few days.

I'm also seeing M.2, M.2 2242, M.2 2280, Key E... ??? Can't just be simple.

For a MOBO to work with a small drive, what do I need to look for in the Motherboard's Specs? and, will something like this work as a boot drive for Win7x64 or Linux/Ubuntu?

Unfortunately, the manual for that board, doesn't really say much at all.

 

[Eximo]

Indeed it is not. The interface supports both SATA and PCIe. The notching varies from part to part. The second half is about length. 80 means 80mm, 42mm, etc.

Some M.2 slots are upright and not laid flat on the board.

Not really any reason to get an M.2 SSD that small, likely SATA. You can pick up an 2.5" SATA SSD easily enough. Or get a short USB header and use a USB SSD for a boot drive that small.

PCIe M.2 SSD if you need higher performance than SATA III provides.

 

[THRobinson]

Well, for some of the cases I want, drive space is an issue... few cases only have space for 1-2 drives, and I have a 3TB for movies and a 3TB for TV series (both 3.5" HDDs). Was thinking if can get a cheap/small card, that would eliminate the need for a case with space for 3 drive. Plus, price... seems like more cheap options for the M.2 cards than SSD's... even used on eBay. Few really cheap SSD drives but then the shipping to Canada is 2-3x the cost of the drive.

So, for the board mentioned in my OP... it has an M.2 slot on the board, but mentions the WiFi card for it... if I don't install the WiFi can I replace it with an M.2 SSD card? My HTPC is about 3 feet away from my high speed router and I have ethernet running to all PC's in the house that use the media server so, WiFi would be a useless feature on that build.

 

[Eximo]

You have Type E 2230 on that board. So 30mm long M.2 cards. E supports: PCIe ×2, USB 2.0, I2C, SDIO, UART and PCM. I'm not seeing any drives in that form factor.

Here is an option that supports all M.2 lengths.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0194NENVU/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[THRobinson]

Asrock support messaged me back.... I guess on those boards it's specific to WiFi/Bluetooth... Which to me makes no sense... If only works for that specific card and comes with the card, why not just build it into the board? Why have it as a card?

 

[Eximo]

Cheaper. They make those for laptops, an off the shelf part. No need to re-design/re-tool as chip footprints and standards change. Leaves the potential to upgrade as well.

 

[THRobinson]

Shame those M.2 slots weren't simply universal, more like a PCI slot... would make things way simpler. 😀

Well, I'll keep an eye open... I bought a Silverstone Grandia GD09 case yesterday, which will fit my shelf, looks like it belongs with a TV, and for now I'll put in my old QuadCore while I hunt down what I'm after. Can be reconfigured for smaller boards as well so, always a bonus.

I don't 'need' the M.2 card... especially now with this case, but I do like how small it is, fewer cables needed, and again, just need it for the boot so can grab something small. I find with 2.5" SSD drives, price doesn't really go down... seems when it gets cheaper to buy them, they phase out the smaller sizes, and the smaller sizes left cost what the bigger ones do. Really only need a 16GB one... maybe even just 8GB if I can get OpenElec working.

 

[Eximo]

That board I listed has the more universal port. You can get 42mm 8 an 16GB SSDs pretty readily. Though honestly they aren't worth it, as for about ten mor dollars you are into much faster 64GB drives.

 

[THRobinson]

Speeds not an issue to be honest... booting Linux into KODI for media player.

Price wise, can get the cheaper brands off eBay for $18CAD for 16GB and free shipping. Just holding the OS and KODI app, so, don't need the 'best' one out there. Even used, the SSD drives are double that for me.

But, again, for now I decided to swap cases... old system works but very old case, very little venting and power supply noisy... new case, new fans and new PSU so should get some more time out of the old QuadCore. May go SSD or M.2... depends what's cheapest. Also need to factor in cost of the board going up if it has the M.2 option.