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SSD M2 - how to choose a drive (subtleties with SATA and PCI-E, 2242, 2260, 2280, and keys)

Good day.

For several years now, the debate about the benefits of using SSD drives has sunk into oblivion - now it is recommended to be installed by everyone: not only professional gamers or programmers, but also ordinary users. The advantage in disk performance is colossal: 5-10 times!

However, now there are quite a lot of SSD drives that differ in size (note: form factor): if there are not so many questions with a 2.5-inch SSD (classic size, looks like a hard drive), then with "newfangled "SSD M2 is a real confusion!

Actually, in this article I wanted to make out the most basic things about SSD M2 drives: which drive is right for me, which interface is used, what is it for 2242, 2260, 2280 and the keys "M", "B", "B&M" on the label of the drive. ..

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Choosing an SSD M2 drive: solving the confusion

In many new laptops and computers, the new M2 connector has started to appear on the motherboard more often (which is not surprising!). After all, it replaced the interfaces: mSATA, mini PCI Express.

And here I want to immediately note the advantage of the M2 interface: it allows you to do without power cables, separate cables, etc. (in fact, it allows you to connect devices simply by inserting a card into the slot!). In addition, it is smaller than the same mSATA. All this in a coupe allows the M2 to be used in more mobile and compact devices, making it more convenient and popular.

I will add that you can use the M2 to install a Wi-Fi adapter, 3G / 4G modems, Bluetooth module, and other devices. (Note: many simply believe that the M2 is used exclusively for SSDs)

By the way!

The M2 interface was at one time referred to as NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor). In some stores and some drive manufacturers, there are SSD M2s with this particular marking.

What is the confusion

1) SATA and PCIe

The M2 format, of course, is undoubtedly promising, but it’s very difficult with it. I must say right away that it is subdivided into two large types: SATA and PCIe (and each of these types is subdivided into several subtypes).

Why was this done? M2, as I said above, was conceived as a universal interface that will replace the outdated mSATA and mini PCIe. But, the fact is that the SATA III bandwidth is 6 Gb / s, and the SSD M2 PCIe drive is capable of providing speeds up to 32 Gb / s (you must admit, the difference is significant!).

I will addthat M.2 PCIe differs in speed depending on the number of lanes. So, for example, PCI Express 2.0 with two lanes (designated as PCI-E 2.0 x2) - provides speeds up to 8 Gb / s, PCI Express 3.0 with four lanes (PCI-E 3.0 x4) - provides the coveted 32 Gb / s.

The catch is that most devices (say, laptops) only support one type of disk, for example, SSD M2 SATA III. Those. when choosing, you need to be very careful about what the device supports (but more on that below).

2) Dimensions of the drive 2242, 2260 and 2280

Another important point: M2 drives (both SATA and PCIe) can be of different sizes. There are three of them: 2242, 2260 and 2280.

The first two digits (22) are the width of the drive, the second (42, 62 or 80) are its length (see the screenshot below for an example).

2242 and 2280 - example in dimensions

The bottom line is that different motherboards support different drive sizes. And if a shorter disc can still be inserted into the slot, then if it is larger, this is a disaster ...

However, I note that now on sale there are universal discs 80 mm long, which you can cut yourself to the desired length (note: all the necessary microcircuits are located at a length of 42 mm).

3) Keys

Keys mean contacts and their location on the drive. There are three kinds of keys: "M", "B", and the universal "B&M" (illustrative example below). Before buying a disc, you need to know which dongle is supported by your device.

Drives with different keys, an illustrative example

Keys on SSD M2 drives: interface, mechanical compatibility, circuit

All the "salt" with these keys is that, for example, mat. the PCIe x2 card uses the "B" key, but there are M2 SATA SSDs that also use the "B" key! Of course, if you connect such a drive to a motherboard with a PCIe x2 socket, it will not work!

4) NVMe technology

Old disks use the AHCI protocol, but with the advent of faster disks, it has ceased to cope with its task (it does not allow using the maximum speed characteristics of the drives). To solve this problem, a new protocol has been released - NVMe.

Samsung NVMe SSD - what a M2 SSD looks like

It provides higher speed, requires less resources from the processor during read / write operations, and much less latency. In order for your SSD to work with this protocol, pay attention to whether your mat. fee for this technology.

Results (what to know before buying an SSD M2, so as not to be "fools"):

  1. what interface does your motherboard support (PCI-E 2.0 x4, PCI-E 3.0 x2, PCI-E 3.0 x4, SATA III);
  2. dimensions of SSD M2 drive, which can be installed (2280, 2260, 2242);
  3. the key that your motherboard supports (usually SATA drives come with an "M&B" key, and PCIe x4 drives with an "M" key);
  4. whether mat is supported. board with NVMe technology (if so, then naturally, and the drive is worth buying with NVMe support).

Only after answering these few questions, you can choose the SSD M2 that will work for you.

Update from 01/27/2019. Now laptops (and motherboards) with universal ports have begun to appear on the market, to which you can connect both PCI-E and SATA SSD M2s.

Is the game worth the candle? Whether to upgrade to an SSD ...

Many people often ask if it is worth switching to SSD at all, is it really a significant difference ...

As an example, I will show a comparative test of several disks installed on my laptops / PCs. The first test is an M2 SSD (NVMe), the second is an M2 SSD (SATA III), and the third is a classic HDD.

SSD (NVMe, SATA), HDD speed test | Clickable (Crystal DiskMark - test utility)

Note! On the screenshots you see synthetic tests. In real work (when loading the OS, launching games, working with software): many of ordinary users note a huge difference between HDD and SSD (SATA), but hardly notice between SSD (NVMe) and SSD (SATA).

Pay attention to the first line. Read speed 2591 MB / s versus 73 MB / s - a difference of 30 ÷ 35 times! Those. If earlier, before installing the SSD (NVMe), Windows was booted within 1 minute - now less than 10 seconds!

I'm not talking about other programs: Word, browsers, players, etc. - they start instantly, immediately after double-clicking on the shortcut!

Addition!

How to check disk speed: HDD, SSD. Test, determining the difference in speed between SSD and HDD, is it worth switching to a solid-state drive - //ocomp.info/kak-proverit-skorost-diska-ssd-hdd.html

How do I know which SSD M2 my mate supports? fee what to choose

A very popular question. To begin with, I want to say do not trust any utilities for viewing the characteristics of a PC. The fact is that they can show the presence of an M2 slot, but in fact it may not be on the board (i.e. there is space for it on the board, but physically there is no slot)!

And so, more to the point ...

1) Option number 1 - look at the mat itself. board.

If your mat. the board has an M2 connector - then in most cases there is a marking next to it, by which you can find out the necessary information (example below). In addition, immediately make sure that this connector is physically present (which is important to do before buying a drive).

An example of a designation on the motherboard (for M-KEY, PCIe)

2) Option number 2 - look at the manufacturer's website

Knowing the model of the motherboard (or laptop), you can go to the manufacturer's website and see the characteristics. By the way, some motherboards are now made universal, which can support several types of SSD M2 drives (laptop users are less fortunate in this case, because they most often support one specific type).

Addition! How to find out your laptop model

How to find out the mat model. fees

Characteristics of the mat. boards on the manufacturer's website

3) Option number 3 - see an overview of a particular laptop (mat. Motherboard).

Many shops and users (who have already purchased this hardware) often make reviews from which you can glean the necessary data. However, I recommend that you also reinforce them with the first two options (since say, be convinced with your own eyes).

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Add-ons are welcome ...

Good luck!

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