M.

2 / NVMe / PCIe / SATA explained…

SATA is a computer bus interface that is used to connect hard drives to the computer’s
motherboard. A traditional hard drive (HDD or 2.5” SSD) is held in a separate
compartment inside the computer case and then connected to the motherboard via a
SATA cable. The hard drive is also supplied with power via a power cable.

The M.2 form factor is a more modern type of expansion card that
replaces the previous SATA standard. Certain peripherals like wi-fi cards
can also come in the M.2 form factor, but the most common use for M.2
is for SSDs.

Big advantage…
Unlike standard HDDs and SSDs, M.2 SSDs are NOT connected to a motherboard via
a cable, they’re instead plugged directly into the motherboard using a dedicated M.2
slot.

An M.2 SSD can make use of either:

• the standard SATA interface (yes, even though the
M.2 slot is a fancy connection, it can still be using the
slower SATA bus technology to transfer data!)
• or the faster PCIe interface
In both cases, it plugs directly into the motherboard.

Remember: SATA or PCIe also refers to the bus that carries the data to and from the
component in the M.2 slot on the motherboard.

An SSD card connected in an M.2 slot lies flush with the motherboard rather than
jutting out like a graphics card or RAM chip (or a traditional HDD or SSD). Hence, M.2
drives allow for a cleaner, less cluttered PC interior with fewer cables to manage.

M.2 SSDs which utilize the SATA interface aren’t really faster than standard 2.5”
drives. However, they just take up less space and look cleaner. If you want faster
speeds, you’ll have to make sure your M.2 drive is utilizing the NVMe interface
protocol.

The NVMe Interface Protocol…

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) refers to the way in which data is moved (the
communication protocol), rather than the size and shape (form factor) of the drive

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itself. The NVMe protocol capitalizes on your motherboard’s fast PCIe interface to
obtain faster data transfer speeds than what SATA is capable of.

Given their faster speeds, NVMe drives typically cost more than their standard 2.5”
SSD equivalents, similar to how SSDs usually cost more than mechanical HDDs for the
same amount of storage space.

If you are buying an M.2 drive check whether it is a SATA-based drive or an NVMebased
drive! Your motherboard might not have the appropriate slot and you do not want to
waste money on a pricier NVMe drive if your motherboard can only access data using
the SATA protocol.

If all you are using your PC for is gaming and everyday tasks, you won’t gain a huge
advantage with an expensive NVMe M.2 drive. It makes more of a difference for the
fast sequential read and write speeds required by power users like video editors or for
people who regularly transferring large amounts of data from one drive to another.

However, M.2 NVMe drives are

becoming more popular – and cheaper –
all the time, and they will soon become
the standard for new PCs.

Reference:

Hohl, N. 2021. M.2 and NVMe SSDs: What are they and how do they benefit your PC?
https://www.newegg.com/insider/m-2-and-nvme-ssds-what-are-they-and-how-do-
theybenefit-your-pc/ Date of access: 14 Jul. 2023

ACTIVITY:
1. Do this Edpuzzle assignment. You need your old username and password (or register
as a new user).

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 https://edpuzzle.com/assignments/64b179eae203f741c10ecff4/watch

2. Do another Edpuzzle assignment!

https://edpuzzle.com/assignments/64b197aee203f741c1124a36/watch

3. A laptop has a hard disk drive connected to a SATA bus. Name a newer technology to
replace the disk drive and a faster type of bus technology for secondary storage
devices. (2)
Replace hard disk drive with: M.2 NVMe ssd

Replace SATA bus with: PCLe bus

4. Explain in detail what M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD refers to. Explain each of the four terms,
one by one. (4)
M.2 refers to the form factor, which is the shape and size of the ssd, while the
NVMe stands for non-volatile memory express, is the communication protocol the
ssd uses to read or write data from
Storage. PCLe is the bus in which the data is transferred and ssd or solid state drive refers
to the type of storage it is

5. Is an M.2 SSD always a better choice than a standard 2.5” SSD? Justify your answer.
(3)
Yes, M.2 SSD doesn’t use cables making it less expensive (no need to purchase
cables) this also means no need for cable management
If your motherboard can support NVMe then M.2 ssd will have faster data transfer
rates

6. What should you consider before parting with your cash for an expensive M.2 NVMe
SSD? List TWO factors to consider. (2)

If your mother motherboard can support NVMe and PCLe.

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 7. Tabulate the differences between an M.2 NVME SSD and a traditional 2.5” SATA SSD.
(5)

M.2 NVME SSD Traditional 2.5” SATA SSD

Faster transfer rates than 2.5” SATA Slower transfer rates

SSD

More costly compared to 2.5” SATA Cheaper than M.2 NVMe PCLe SSD
SSD

Slimmer form factor Bigger form factor

Requires a compatible M.2 slot in the Compatible with any motherboard that
motherboard supports 2.5” SATA drives

Consumes more power Considered to be power-effient

8. Is an M.2 SSD a device or component? Justify your answer. (3)

Component, it is a piece of hardware that contributes to the operation on the
system

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 And it doesn’t have a UI and isn’t directly interacted with by the user

9. List FOUR differences between a SSD and a HDD. (4)

SSD is faster

HDD is cheaper

SSD has no damageable moving parts

SSD has a slimmer form factor

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