M.2 SSDs - Factors to Consider When Selecting a Model

Originally known as the Next-Generation Form Factor, M.2 is an interface specification for solid-state drives. It is designed to help storage systems perform faster and with less power than standard hard drives. Its use has increased over the years as more and more computers and laptops use the technology. Its high density makes it an attractive option for laptops, desktops, and other thin devices. Moreover, the interface can move data faster and more efficiently than other options. However, it may not be suitable for enterprise storage systems, which require higher capacities. There are many different types of M.2 SSDs to choose from. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a model.

Most M.2 SSDs use one of several different interfaces. Some use SATA while others use PCI-E. SATA drives use a SATA controller to communicate with the PC, while PCI-E drives bypass the controller and move data directly to the PC. The interfaces are designed to move data faster, and they are typically compatible with multiple drives in a single slot. This makes them very useful for systems that use RAID.

While SATA drives are faster than mechanical hard drives, they do have some limitations. They are limited in capacity, and are more complicated than PCI-E drives. They use two cables to communicate with the computer, so airflow may be affected in a system. This can cause problems with cooling. However, a SATA-based M.2 SSD may still be faster than a conventional hard drive. It's important to remember that you will only get a slight performance improvement from a SATA-based M.2 compared to a PCI-E based M.2.

In addition, M.2 drives are usually smaller than traditional 2.5-inch SSDs. They are typically between two and eight inches long, and they can fit into an M.2 socket on a motherboard. Some of these drives are also double-sided. These can add more storage space to the computer, but they can also be less efficient than single-sided drives. They are also more expensive. You should consider your storage needs before selecting an M.2 SSD. If you have a small storage needs, you may want to opt for a SATA-based M.2 drive. You'll also want to be sure that your motherboard has M.2 slots, as these drives cannot be used in a SATA-only socket.

PCI-E x2 drives are keyed for B+M. These drives use four PCI-E lanes, which can theoretically provide a maximum throughput of 2GB/s. However, most of the drives currently available are keyed for B+M, which means that they use two PCI-E lanes. You should consider your PC's motherboard to determine the number of PCI-E lanes available. Xeon E5 systems have more PCI-E lanes, so the issue isn't as big of a problem. The issue is less of a problem on X79 systems, however.

Although it's more expensive than SATA-based M.2 drives, NVMe-based models offer higher bandwidth and better performance. They can also speed up file transfers, transcoding, and compression. NVMe also provides a lower power consumption than SATA drives. It can also enable parallel processing for read and write requests. This can help to reduce bottlenecks, which can improve the performance of tasks like file transfers and video editing.