M.2 SSD drives

M.2 SSDs are the fastest type of storage memory in the computer – the system boots in seconds, games load quickly, and large files copy in an instant. Here you will find NVMe drives with PCIe 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0, more economical SATA models in M.2 format, drives with coolers for consoles, and small 2230 models for portable devices.

How to choose

• PCIe generation. PCIe 3.0 drives reach around 3500 MB/s, 4.0 – around 7000 MB/s, and 5.0 – even more. For gaming and general use, 4.0 is the best balance, while 5.0 makes sense for processing very large files.
• Capacity. 500 GB is enough for the system and programs. 1 TB is the reasonable minimum for a gamer, while 2 and 4 TB are for large libraries of games, videos, and projects.
• Size. Almost all desktop computers and laptops use M.2 2280. Shorter 2230 and 2242 are for ultrabooks and portable consoles.
• NVMe or SATA. M.2 SATA drives look like NVMe but are as fast as a regular SATA SSD – around 550 MB/s. Check which type the slot supports.
• The cooler. Fast drives heat up during long writes. A cooler or heatsink on the motherboard keeps the speed stable.

What to watch out for

• A newer drive works in an older slot, but at the speed of the slot.
• On some motherboards, occupying an M.2 slot disables SATA ports or reduces the lanes of the graphics card.
• Drives without DRAM cache are cheaper but lose speed during prolonged writes.
• For PlayStation 5, you need a PCIe 4.0 drive with a cooler that fits in the compartment.
• Some fast models are sold with a cooler that is too tall for a laptop – there, choose a drive without a heatsink.

Compatibility

Check how many M.2 slots the motherboard has and which PCIe generations each supports. Most laptops from recent years also have an M.2 2280 slot. For older systems without M.2, 2.5-inch SATA SSDs are more suitable, while for large archives – hard drives.