[SOLVED] What is M.2 SSD? What is it for?

[xpyro1fire]

I'm probably late to the party. Is the M.2 SSD literally storage but smaller? Can someone please explain it to me in ELI5 version?

 

[Gam3r01]

M.2 is a format, just the size and connections used by the device (another example would be your standard 3.5" or 2.5" drives)
Format aside, there are different types of M.2 drives, some M.2 SSDs are SATA drives, no faster than your typical SSD, but just a different form factor.
NVME SSDs are a different story, and only come in the M.2 flavor.

 

[clutchc]

It is a SSD that doesn't necessarily use a SATA interface. It uses the faster PCIe interface, and it is basically a memory chip on a tiny card that plugs into a socket (M.2) on the motherboard.

 

[USAFRet]

M.2 is simply the form factor and how it connects.
M.2 drives can come in 2 protocols...SATA III or PCIe/NVMe.

The NVMe drives are faster, potentially a LOT faster.

 

[xpyro1fire]

Got it! Thank you everyone!

 

[lqw24]

M.2 is smaller than SATA 3 SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

M.2 is smaller than SATA 3 SSD.

Physical size is mostly irrelevant.

 

[popatim]

NVME SSDs are a different story, and only come in the M.2 flavor.

You forgot about NVME drives that come as PCIe cards.

 

[xpyro1fire]

You forgot about NVME drives that come as PCIe cards.

Really? Can you link Newegg pages to these NVME drives as PCIe cards?

 

[xpyro1fire]

I am confused about this two similar products.

https://www.newegg.com/intel-660p-series-2tb/p/N82E16820167461

https://www.newegg.com/intel-660p-series-1tb/p/N82E16820167462


They looks similar and could be both NVME except one doesn't say anything about NVME?

I could like to buy 2TB but I am worried that it's not NVME.




And this one is not NVME, right? https://www.newegg.com/western-digital-blue-2tb/p/N82E16820250093



Please bear with me. I'm still learning...

 

[Gam3r01]

Yeah I could have phrased that better, they certainly dont have the market saturation as M.2 does.
https://www.newegg.com/plextor-m9pe...cie ssd&cm_re=pcie_ssd-_-20-249-108-_-Product

That 2TB 660p is still an NVME drive, its the same exact drive just in a larger capacity.

 

[xpyro1fire]

Yeah I could have phrased that better, they certainly dont have the market saturation as M.2 does.
https://www.newegg.com/plextor-m9pe-1tb/p/N82E16820249108?Description=pcie ssd&cm_re=pcie_ssd--20-249-108--Product

That 2TB 660p is still an NVME drive, its the same exact drive just in a larger capacity.

Thanks! Seems like it's only one with best quality and most reviews around the market...



Edited: also lol why is 1TB same price as 2TB?

 

[Gam3r01]

Where do you see 1TB and 2TB at the same price?

 

[xpyro1fire]

Where do you see 1TB and 2TB at the same price?

newegg i linked. one is on sale for $100 but its original price is $200

 

[USAFRet]

newegg i linked. one is on sale for $100 but its original price is $200

The 1TB 660p for ~$100 is pretty much its normal price. I bought one for $88 a couple of months ago.

 

[popatim]

Both 660P's mention nvme on the Overview tab in the interface section.

The WD Blue is a Sata3 drive and not any faster then it's 2.5" sister despite the change in connector.

 

[popatim]

Really? Can you link Newegg pages to these NVME drives as PCIe cards?

Here's one for example.
https://www.newegg.com/plextor-m9pe-1tb/p/N82E16820249108