Upgrading your memory can be confusing, especially with evolving technologies, increasing options on the shelf, and numerous acronyms. At Crucial, we’re here to help. We want you to feel comfortable upgrading or building your own PC, or even just understanding the specs of your current set-up. Show Not all solid state drives (SSDs) are the same, and there are some key elements that determine compatibility, speed, and price. This article explains the M.2 form factor, the differences between PCIe vs. SATA and what exactly NVMe means. With this information, you’ll make more informed decisions about which SSD is right for you.
M.2 is a form factor specification that was introduced in 2012 and designed to replace the mSATA standard. The form factor specification spells out the physical size and shape of the SSD card you can connect to your system. The M.2 form factor is designed to maximize PCB (printed circuit board) while minimizing the amount of space it takes up in your PC or laptop. To connect an M.2 specified SSD, your motherboard will need to have an M.2 slot. The M.2 form factor is small and rectangular in shape, almost like a piece of gum. Sizes can vary, with possible widths of 12, 16, 22, or 30 millimeters, but they’re generally 22 millimeters wide. Lengths can also vary, coming in 16, 26, 30, 38, 42, 60, 80, or 110 millimeters. Motherboards will accommodate a variety of lengths for an M.2 module to allow for flexibility, while the width is more fixed. When you buy an SSD like the Crucial P5 Plus, you may see something like "M.2 2280" in the title, which is a combination of its dimensions — 22mm and 80mm in length — helping you know what to buy. SATA vs PCIe interfacesNow we know that the M.2 form factor dictates what type of memory drive we can connect; our next job is to understand SSD interfaces. In general PC building terms, an interface connects two or more separate components to exchange data or information. The SATA and PCIe interfaces are the physical connections that transmit data from the memory storage to the computer. SATA and PCIe aren't the only available interfaces for SSDs, although they are now the most common. What is SATA?The older of the two interfaces, SATA was launched in 2003, bringing massive advancements to computing and memory storage. In the image below, you can see how a SATA interface connects to your motherboard. The original SATA interface was designed for hard drives, but when SSDs came on the market, they adopted the same interface so users could easily upgrade their storage drives. If you have a SATA interface, only a SATA SSD, such as the Crucial BX500 or MX500,will work with your computer. What is PCIe?PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a newer interface that features a smaller physical footprint, meaning it takes up less space in your computer, as seen in the image below. The real advantage of the PCIe interface over SATA is the ability to transmit data on up to four lanes, whereas SATA only has one. When combined with an NVMe SSD, which we’ll discuss shortly, PCIe SSD read/write speeds increase even more than SATA. PCIe vs SATAThe implementation of multiple lanes for the PCIe connection is one of the most essential features. PCIe uses four lanes for storage devices, resulting in data exchange that is four times faster than a SATA connection, which only has one lane. This provides faster read and write speeds, as seen in the table below -—- meaning faster gameplay, smoother multitasking and a more responsive computer.
All of these enhancements come with another benefit: reduced power consumption. The combination of NVME, PCIe, and an SSD's lack of moving parts results in a quieter storage drive that sips power, extending battery life for laptops, notebooks, and tablets. What is NVMe?We know that if you have a SATA interface, you’ll need to connect a SATA SSD if you’re looking to upgrade your memory, but what if you have PCIe? NVMe (NVM Express™, or Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a communication protocol designed specifically to work with flash memory using the PCIe interface. NVMe was created to take advantage of the parallel nature of solid state drives. NVMe SSDs combined with a PCIe interface create unrivaled read and write speeds. However, you can also get PCIe compatible SSDs that are non-NVMe. NVMe performanceCombining the NVMe SSD and the PCIe connection results in read and write speeds that are four times faster than a SATA interface/SSD. NVMe complements the parallel structure of contemporary CPUs, platforms, and applications. These parallel structures allow for more commands to flow simultaneously. NVMe uses an optimized path to issue commands and complete input/output, and it supports parallel operation with up to 64,000 commands within a single I/O queue and 64,000 possible queues. Older protocols such as SCSI are serial in nature, with a limited number of commands in a single queue. Discover our range of NVMe SSDs including the Crucial 2TB P5 Plus, Crucial 1TB P5 Plus, and Crucial 500GB P5 Plus. Find out more about how to install NVMe PCIe SSDs. Which SSD interface should I get?Compatibility with your computer is the most important factor in choosing an SSD interface. It can be challenging to tell the difference between PCIe and SATA connections if you look at the slot on the motherboard. Check your computer specifications to see which interface your computer supports. Even easier, use the Crucial® Advisor™ or System Scanner to find compatible parts. If you have the option of multiple M.2 slots where at least one supports PCIe, it's worth considering your secondary slot for an SSD upgrade. When combined with an NVMe SSD, PCIe will result in faster read and write times. FAQs
Was ist schneller m 2 oder SATA?M. 2 ist ein Formfaktor für SSDs — es ist der neuere und kleinere Formfaktor als die vorherige SATA-Spezifikation. M. 2 ist in der Regel schneller und teurer.
Ist m2 schneller als SSD?der maximalen möglichen Geschwindigkeit. So überträgt eine M. 2 SSD per SATA/AHCI maximal ~600 MB/s, während eine M. 2 SSD mit PCIe 3.0/NVMe Anbindung auf ~4000 MB/s begrenzt ist.
Was ist schneller SATA oder SSD?Eine SSD ist um ein Vielfaches schneller als eine HDD, nämlich bis zu 4-mal. Zudem unterscheiden sich SSDs hinsichtlich der Geschwindigkeit stark voneinander. Eine NVMe-SSD ist beispielsweise schneller als eine SATA-SSD.
Was ist schneller SATA oder PCIe?PCIe vs. SATA: Sind PCIe-SSDs wirklich so viel schneller? Hauptvorteil einer PCIe-SSD ist die höhere Datenrate im Vergleich zu einer SATA-SSD. Modelle mit SATA-Anschluss sind an ihrem theoretischen Maximum von 654 MB/s Schreib- und 712 MB/s Lesegeschwindigkeit angelangt.
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