M.2 slots are great for adding more storage to your PC, and if you don’t have any, it’s a good idea to add one. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to add an M.2 SSD slot to your PC. We’ll also recommend some of the best M.2 SSDs on the market right now.
If you’re looking to add more storage to your PC, an M.2 slot is a great option. M.2 slots are becoming increasingly popular on newer motherboards, and they offer a few advantages over traditional SSDs.
Read Also: How to use 2 M2 SSD?
A Brief on PCIe Lanes, Slots, and M.2 Slots
An M.2 slot is a type of expansion slot found on some newer motherboards that is capable of supporting both SATA and PCIe-based M.2 drives. SATA M.2 drives are limited to a maximum data transfer rate of 600MB/s, while PCIe M.2 drives can reach speeds of up to 4GB/s.
The number of PCIe lanes that an M.2 slot supports can also vary. A typical M.2 slot will support either two or four PCIe lanes. The number of lanes supported by an M.2 slot can have a big impact on performance, so it’s something you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for an M.2 drive.
What are PCIe Slots?
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard. PCIe slots can have different sizes, based on the number of data lanes that they support. The most common sizes are x1, x4, x8, and x16.
An M.2 slot can be any size, but most are either x4 or x2. An x4 slot can support up to four data lanes, while an x2 slot can only support two.
What is an M.2 SSD?
M.2 is a type of solid-state drive (SSD) that is used in laptop computers and other devices. M.2 SSDs are similar to traditional SSDs, but they are smaller and have different connectors.
M.2 SSDs are available in both SATA and PCIe versions. SATA M.2 SSDs are limited to a maximum data transfer rate of 600MB/s, while PCIe M.2 SSDs can reach speeds of up to 4GB/s.
What are PCIe Lanes?
PCIe lanes are used to connect PCIe devices to the motherboard. A PCIe device can be anything from a graphics card to an M.2 SSD.
The number of PCIe lanes that a motherboard has will determine how many PCIe devices can be connected to it. For example, a motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots will have a total of 32 PCIe lanes. The number of PCIe lanes that an M.2 slot supports can also vary. A typical M.2 slot will support either two or four PCIe lanes.
How Many PCIe Lanes Does an M.2 Slot Use?
The number of PCIe lanes that an M.2 slot supports can vary. A typical M.2 slot will support either two or four PCIe lanes. The number of lanes supported by an M.2 slot can have a big impact on performance, so it’s something you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for an M.2 drive.
How to Add More M.2 SSD Slots to Your Motherboard?
Adding an M.2 SSD to your PC is a great way to improve performance and add more storage. Most newer motherboards come with at least one M.2 slot, but if you’re using an older motherboard, you may need to add a PCIe adapter in order to use an M.2 SSD.
Here’s a quick overview of how to add an M.2 SSD to your PC:
- Check your motherboard’s manual to see if it supports M.2 drives.
- If your motherboard doesn’t have an M.2 slot, you’ll need to add a PCIe adapter.
- Install the M.2 SSD in the M.2 slot or PCIe adapter.
- Connect the SATA and power cables to the M.2 SSD.
- Format the M.2 SSD and install your operating system on it.
Conclusion
M.2 SSDs are a great way to improve the performance and storage capacity of your PC. They’re available in both SATA and PCIe versions, and they come in different sizes to fit any needs. Be sure to check your motherboard’s manual to see if it supports M.2 drives before purchasing one. Thanks for reading our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an M.2 slot?
An M.2 slot is a type of expansion slot found on some newer motherboards that support both SATA and PCIe-based M.2 drives.
How do I add an M.2 SSD to my PC?
If your motherboard doesn’t have an M.2 slot, you’ll need to add a PCIe adapter. Install the M.2 SSD in the M.2 slot or PCIe adapter, and then connect the SATA and power cables to the M.2 SSD. Finally, format the M.2 SSD and install your operating system on it.
What is the difference between a SATA and PCIe M.2 drive?
SATA M.2 drives are limited to a maximum data transfer rate of 600MB/s, while PCIe M.2 drives can reach speeds of up to 4GB/s.
How many PCIe lanes does an M.2 slot use?
The number of PCIe lanes that an M.2 slot supports can vary. A typical M.2 slot will support either two or four PCIe lanes.