Comparing SSD, NVMe, M.2, how to choose the best drive?
Share
Solid-State Drives (SSD), Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe), and M.2 are all types of storage devices commonly used in modern computers. In this article, we will compare the three types and help you understand the differences between them.
SSD:
SSDs are a popular choice to upgrade from traditional hard disk drives (HDD). SSDs use NAND-based flash memory and have no moving parts. This makes them faster, more reliable, and more energy-efficient than HDDs. However, the maximum speeds of SSDs are limited by the SATA interface, which tops out at 600 MB/s.
NVMe:
NVMe is a newer type of storage device that is designed to take advantage of the speeds of PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interfaces. NVMe drives use PCIe to communicate directly with the CPU. This results in faster speeds reaching over 7 GB/s.
M.2:
M.2 is a form factor used for both SSDs and NVMe drives. It is a small, rectangular board that connects directly to the motherboard using a dedicated M.2 slot. M.2 drives are small, lightweight, and can be installed without cables. They have also faster read and write speeds than traditional SSDs.
In Conclusion:
SSDs are a good choice to upgrade from traditional HDD, while NVMe are ideal for faster read and write speeds. M.2 drives are becoming increasingly popular due to their small form factor and ability to take advantage of the faster PCIe interface. Ultimately, the type of drive to choose depends on the specific needs, budget, and the available slots in the motherboard.