Pcie ssd vs ssd: Which Storage Drive Is Best?

Which Storage Drive Is Best?

PCIe SSDs may be technologically superior, but that doesn’t mean you should always buy them over SATA drives.

In this article, we’ll look at the differences between SATA and PCIe SSDs and what you need to know to make an informed decision when buying an SSD.

What Is a PCIe SSD?

What is it about PCIe SSDs that make them more desirable and expensive than SATA SSDs? Does it come down to performance? Yes, pretty much.

You can think of PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) as a more direct data connection to the motherboard.

It’s typically used with devices like graphics cards, which also need extremely fast data connections, but PCIe has proven useful for data storage drives too.

PCIe 3.0 has an effective transfer speed of 985MB/s per lane, and since PCIe devices can support 1x, 4x, 8x, or 16x lanes, you’re looking at potential transfer speeds up to 15.76GB/s. Not only that, but PCIe 4. 0 doubles that to around 32GB/s, and PCIe 5.0 doubles it again, to a whopping 64GB/s. That’s way outside the league of SATA SSDs!

But does that mean a PCIe SSD with 16x lanes is 25-times faster than a SATA SSD? Theoretically, sure, but you won’t find a consumer-grade SSD with that many data lanes.

Usually, you’ll be deciding between 2x and 4x, which means a maximum transfer speed closer to 3.94GB/s.

And even so, you’re only going to notice the difference between PCIe and SATA when transferring HUGE files that take a while.

If you’re playing a video game, for example, and only want faster load speeds when starting up the game or changing maps, both PCIe SSDs and SATA SSDs will feel lightning fast.

PCIe SSDs tend to have worse battery life. Suppose you’re just browsing the web, working in Google Docs, shooting emails, or doing something that’s purely CPU- or RAM-intensive. In that case, you won’t notice much of a difference between SATA and PCIe SSDs (because such activities don’t involve lots of data transfer).

But if you’re constantly reading and transferring data, then PCIe SSDs will use more energy and drain battery life faster.

PCIe AHCI SSDs vs. PCIe NVMe SSDs. If you ever have to choose between these two standards, go with NVMe. AHCI is older and was designed for HDDs and SATA, which means that a PCIe SSD using AHCI may not perform to its max potential. NVMe was designed specifically for use with PCIe, so it performs better.

For more on NVMe, check out our guide on whether you should upgrade to NVMe or stay with SATA SSDs.

What Is a SATA SSD?

Image Credits: Samsung

SATA (Serial ATA) is a connection interface used by SSDs to communicate data with your system. It was created in 2003, which means it has had a lot of time to cement itself as one of the most widely-used connection types today.

SATA SSDs have better hardware compatibility. If you get a SATA SSD, it’s pretty much guaranteed to work with whatever desktop or laptop computer you have right now—even if that computer is a decade old.

SATA SSDs have worse relative performance. As of this writing, SATA 3.0 is the most prevalent form of SSD, which has a theoretical transfer speed of 6Gb/s (750MB/s). But due to some physical overhead that occurs when encoding the data for transfer, it actually has a practical transfer speed of 4.8Gb/s (600MB/s).

While 600MB/s is pretty fast, it’s nowhere close to the transfer speeds offered by PCIe SSDs.

That said, SATA SSDs are more than fast enough for casual home users—to help illustrate how fast it is, a SATA SSD can transfer an entire CD’s worth of data every second—so don’t let this be a deal-breaker.

SATA SSDs tend to be cheaper. This is probably the most important point for most home users. The truth is, the difference in price between SATA and PCIe SSDs is significant—almost as stark as the difference in price between SSDs and HDDs.

Consider the price of the Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SATA SSD and compare it to the Samsung 970 EVO 500GB PCIe SSD.

While both drives are SSDs and have the same capacity, the SATA SSD is almost half the price of the PCIe SSD. This is true across the board: SATA SSDs are more budget-friendly than PCIe SSDs.

What Are M.2 and U.2?

M.2 («M dot two») and U.2 («U dot two») are form factor standards that specify the shape, dimensions, and layouts of a physical device. Both the M.2 and U.2 standards are used in conjunction with both SATA and PCIe drives.

M.2 is more common by a longshot, so if you have to pick between the two and aren’t sure which way to go, M.2 is the safer option. U.2 is mainly used for Intel 750 series SSDs, and you won’t find many others that support it.

When using M.2 for a SATA SSD, performance is the same as using a regular SATA form factor. When using M.2 for a PCIe SSD, you’re capped at x4 lanes, which is still more than enough for a casual home user.

Plus, x4 SSDs are more common than x2 SSDs and not that much more expensive, so you might as well go with that.

Note: You can buy an adapter that turns an M.2 connector into a U.2 connector or vice versa, but such adapters may not fit the physical confinements of what you’re trying to do.

Related: What Is SSD Storage and How Is It Better Than HDD?

PCIe SSD vs. SATA SSD: Which SSD Type Is Right for You?

Your choice between PCIe and SATA SSDs depends on two key factors. One, your budget, and, secondly, your expectations when it comes to performance. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SATA. If you need maximum performance for frequent file transfers, go with PCIe. Both are most convenient to use in the M.2 form factor.

If you’re currently using an HDD, then whichever you pick, you’ll do just fine. Both SATA and PCIe SSDs are demonstrably better than HDDs in terms of speed, so you really can’t go wrong either way. If PCIe is what you’ve settled on, you should also read more on the different versions to ensure you make the right choice on your purchase.

Explained: How is a PCIe SSD different from a SATA SSD

Modern Solid State Drives (SSD) are available in several form factors and even come with different interface connections. A

PCIe SSD

is a storage device that is usually connected to a computing system through a

PCIe

interface, similarly,

SATA

is another common interface that is used in a computing system for storage and peripheral connectivity.
PCIe SSDs are newer and more technologically advanced than SATA SSDs, but that doesn’t mean users should choose PCIe SSDs over SATA SSDs every time. Both types of SSDs have certain advantages and users should choose the one that fits their needs. You will find both the interfaces among the best SSDs that are available in the market. Here, we will discuss how both the interfaces for an SSD are different from each other.
What is a PCIe SSD?
PCIe or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express SSDs are more desirable and expensive than SATA SSDs. PCIe SSDs have a more direct connection to your system’s motherboard. It is commonly used with devices that need extremely fast data connections — like a graphics card. However, PCIe SSDs can also be used as a data storage drive.
PCIe 3.0 claims to have an effective transfer speed of 985MB/s per lane. As PCIe devices can support up to 16x lanes, it has the potential to produce transfer speeds up to 15.76GB/s. The transfer speed has also increased with each passing generation. PCIe 4.0 doubles the speed to around 32GB/s, while PCIe 5.0 quadruples it to a colossal 64GB/s, which is impossible for SATA SSDs to deliver.
In theory, a PCIe SSD with 16x lanes is 25-times faster than a

SATA SSD

, but users won’t find a commercial SSD with so many data lanes. The ones that are widely available, support 2x and 4x data lanes, which can offer a maximum transfer speed closer to 3.94GB/s. However, if you are playing a video game and want faster loading speeds while starting the game or changing maps, both the SSD interfaces tend to offer nearly the same speed. Users will only be able to notice the difference between PCIe and SATA while transferring massive files that typically take a while.
PCIe SSDs can affect the battery life
PCIe SSDs won’t affect the battery life if you are doing purely CPU or RAM-intensive activities like — browsing the web, working in Google Docs or sending emails. Since these activities don’t involve a lot of data transfer, you won’t notice much difference between SATA and PCIe SSDs. However, if you are constantly reading and transferring data, PCIe SSDs will tend to use more energy and drain battery life faster.
How are PCIe AHCI SSDs different from PCIe NVMe SSDs?
AHCI and NVMe are two different standards of PCIe SSDs. It is better to go with the NVMe if you have to choose between these two standards. PCIe SSD using the AHCI standard may not perform to its maximum potential as it was designed for HDDs and SATA. Whereas, the NVMe standard was specifically designed to make the PCIe SSDs perform better.
What is a SATA SSD?
SATA or Serial ATA is another connection interface that SSDs use to communicate data with your system. SATA interface was created in 2003 and has cemented its place as one of the most widely-used connection types. SATA SSDs tend to work with every desktop or laptop, even if the hardware is a decade old.
SATA SSDs offers lower performance compared to PCIe SSDs
SATA 3.0 is the most common form of SSD available, which theoretically offers a transfer speed of 6Gb/s (750MB/s). However, for some physical overhead that occurs while encoding the data that needs to be transferred, it delivers a transfer speed of 4.8Gb/s (600MB/s). Although this speed is really fast, it is not even close to the transfer speeds that PCIe SSDs deliver. To get an idea for common users, a SATA SSD can transfer an entire CD’s worth of data every second, which is faster than what any HDD offers.
SATA SSDs are less expensive
SATA SSDs are more budget-friendly than PCIe SSDs and the difference in price between both the interfaces are significant. Nevertheless, both drives are SSDs and usually have the same capacity, but the SATA SSD is available almost at half the price of the PCIe SSD.
PCIe SSD vs. SATA SSD: Which one is better?
Two key factors will help you to determine the SSD interface that you should choose. These two factors are your budget and your performance expectations. You can opt for a SATA SSD if the budget is a concern, but if you need better performance for frequent file transfers, you should go for a PCIe SSD. Both SATA and PCIe SSDs offer much better transfer speeds than HDDs, so if you are currently using an HDD, any interface will be an upgrade.

What is the difference between SATA SSD, M.2 and NVMe

In fact, comparing the concepts of SSD, M. 2 and NVMe is incorrect. One of them is a data drive, the other is the drive form factor, and the third is a data transfer standard in general. In order not to get confused in terms, let’s delve into these concepts. Let’s start with hard drives and their differences from SSDs, highlight the differences between 2.5-inch SSDs and M.2 drives, and also compare SATA with NVMe.

What is a hard drive, or HDD

First, let’s look at the main types of drives that can be found in servers — HDD and SSD.

An ordinary PC, like a server, consists of many components, of which four are of interest to us:

• Processor : responsible for processing information, calculations, for executing program code and the operating system, controls the operation of all other parts.
• Motherboard . A processor, RAM, video cards, controllers are installed on it, ports for connecting external memory are located on it. The motherboard powers all the components and combines them into a single whole.
• Busbars, interface, ports . They may be called differently, but the essence is the same: this is the connection that is necessary to transfer data — for example, from RAM to the processor.
• Hard disk is a data storage device that stores programs, files, and the operating system. This text is dedicated to him and his variations.

HDD device

HDD, or Hard (magnetic) Disk Drive, is a classic hard disk, data storage.

The hard disk case contains magnetic platters on which data is written. They are read and written as follows: the disk rotates, and the head reads or writes data using magnetic pulses. The disk rotates the engine, and the microcircuit — the controller — runs all the work.

Data is recorded in tracks on the surface of the disc, much like vinyl records. In this case, the information is not stored in one place, but in clusters or sectors scattered across the disk, so the disk must rotate to read the data.

The faster the disk spins, the more data per second can be read or written. But here a limitation arises: if the speed is infinitely increased, then the material may not withstand vibrations and collapse from loads.

This problem was tried to be solved. For example, in 2000, Seagate released the X15 drive, which spun up to 15,000 rpm. But this is rather exotic — ordinary disks do not exceed 7200 rpm for home PCs, which gives 85-120 MB / s reading. The maximum speed of disks on home PCs does not exceed 150 MB / s.

Depending on the size, there are several form factors, or types, of HDDs:

• 3.5″ — more common in servers,
• 2.5″ — for home PCs,
• external HDD — used as an external storage medium (they also use a 2.5-inch drive, but have an external enclosure).

From left to right: HDD 3.5″, HDD 2.5″, external drive 2.5″.

What is an SSD and how it differs from an HDD

An SSD, Solid State Drive, is a solid state drive. It works on a principle different from HDD: it stores information on semiconductor chips in memory cells. These are so-called «non-volatile non-mechanical storage devices». «Non-volatile» means that data is retained when power is lost.

SSDs consist of resistors, capacitors, a controller, DRAM buffer, NAND persistent memory chips, and connectors. In fact, this is a large «flash drive». The main difference from the HDD is not in the components (here, the disks are largely similar), but in the absence of moving parts.

From the «static» of the SSD-disk follows a number of its advantages:

— takes up less space,

— silent,

— more reliable (does not «wear out» due to reading data),

— writes and reads faster data.

Their read speed varies from 270 to 500 MB / s, which is several times higher than that of HDD. So, the time to fully boot Windows 7 for HDD is on average 49 seconds, and for SSD — 19 seconds.

Drive interfaces: SATA and NVMe

An interface is a set of ways to connect to the motherboard, methods and rules for how a drive interacts with the rest of the PC. This includes the types of physical connectors, and data transfer protocols, and data transfer methods.

Parallel IDE connection

A good example of an interface for HDDs is IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment). Conventionally, this is a simple way to connect a hard drive to the motherboard through a cable of 40 or 80 cores.

This is how the IDE ports on the HDD look like. The IDE connector is clearly visible in the photo. Source

We mentioned that the interface also includes data transfer methods. There are several such methods for IDE. For example, PIO (Programmed input / output), when data is transferred between devices through the processor, or DMA (Direct Memory Access), when the processor is not used for data transfer.

Information is transmitted through the IDE interface in parallel, when each bit of data goes along its own signal line — over a physical channel. Therefore, for the interface, the connection goes through a 40- or 80-wire loop. Data is transmitted in portions equal to the number of channels.

From the minuses of the solution: parallel channels influence each other, which leads to distortion of messages. This problem is solved in the SATA interface, which has become an evolution of the parallel IDE.

SATA 9 serial communication interface0029

SATA, or Serial ATA (SATA), is a serial way to transfer bits of information. With it, the bits go one after another, one bit at a time.

The motherboard may have multiple SATA connectors. This allows you to connect multiple hard drives that will work at the same time, which was not possible in the IDE.

This is what SATA connectors look like.

SATA interface transfers data faster than IDE. SATA has fewer pins and chips, and they’re less likely to overheat.

The SATA connection interface has become more common in SSD drives. Initially, the interface was developed for HDDs, the head of which can access only one cell of one plate (pancake) of the disk. Therefore, SATA devices have only one channel and a low data transfer rate. This read speed is offered by different SATA specifications:

• 1 — 150 MB / s;
• SATA 2 — 300 MB/s;
• SATA 3 — 600 MB/s.

This is the theoretical maximum speed, and it is several times lower than the speeds of the NVMe standard, which we will talk about later.

NVMe

NVMe, or Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface Specification, is a specification for storage access protocols. Allows SSDs to read and transfer data through the PCIe slot, which we’ll cover below.

NVMe can provide write speeds up to 3.2 GB/s, which is 6 times faster than SATA 3. This performance is achieved due to several features:

• cables.
• To execute a command, NVMe accesses RAM only once, when SATA — twice.
• Threads are parallel.
• There are mechanisms for working with queues and interrupt handling — commands with a high priority will be processed faster.

PCIe and AHCI data transfer protocols

Now let’s talk about data transfer modes based on the considered interfaces. Here, PCIe and AHCI are of greatest interest.

PCIe

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, or PCIe, is a serial I/O bus. Physically, this connection, «adapter», in the form of a slot or connector for connecting devices directly to the motherboard.

Top slot — PCIe x4, center — PCIe x16, bottom — PCIe x1. Source

PCIe has a direct channel of «communication» with the processor and RAM, as well as independent channels for receiving and transmitting data, or lines.

A line is a kind of connection between devices in the form of four wires: two for transmitting, two for receiving data. They transmit data like a two-lane highway: in one direction and the other at the same time. This is called duplex mode. Two signal wires with opposite polarity allows you to deal with interference.

PCIe transfer rate depends on version and number of lanes. For example, the theoretical speed of PCIe 3.0 is 986 MB / s with one lane, and with two — 1970 MB / s.

Note . The PCIe bus is designed to connect peripheral devices — not only hard drives, but also GPUs or network cards.

PCI Express is a way to connect to the motherboard and transfer data. This is what the NVMe protocol/interface uses.

AHCI

Despite the name, AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) is not an interface in the truest sense. It is rather a mechanism or mode that improves upon the SATA standard.

For example, AHCI has hot-swappable disks without shutting down the server and hardware queuing of NCQ commands, which is achieved by optimizing the movement of the read head. Since there is no problem with the same head for SSDs, it is generally accepted that AHCI mode is more suitable for HDDs.

The difference between SATA in AHCI mode and NVMe

The NVMe protocol is designed specifically for SSDs to unlock the potential of SSDs. The fact is that their potential speed with a SATA connection is limited by the SATA 3 protocol, namely, 600 MB / s for reading. Physically, drives are able to work ten times faster. To bypass the limitation, there is NVME, with which the SSD speed reaches 3.2 GB / s.

SATA in AHCI mode is designed for HDDs. The mode speeds up file launch, IOPS, and improves performance by about 20%. You can work in AHCI mode with SSD drives, but there will not be a big increase in speed.

Types of SSDs

Now that we’ve covered SSDs, interfaces, and connection modes, let’s look at the types of SSDs. They differ according to the following criteria:

• size and shape;
• data transfer method — SATA or NVMe;
• interfaces that we have already written about.

SSD 2.5″ SATA

This is an SSD in a plastic case with connectors for SATA connection via SATA cable. The picture shows that the board with chips is installed in a plastic case, in which there is a lot of empty space.

SSD drive in a plastic case. Source

This was done for a reason: this format allows you to put a 2.5 ”SSD instead of a 2.5” HDD in the same seat. In addition, the “extra” space protects the board from damage and allows you to passively cool the device.

In the same 2.5-inch form factor, there are SSD drives not only with the SATA interface. For example, WD Gold WDS384T1D0D 3.8TB, 2.5 inches, works via PCIe x4 interface.

Western Digital SSD. Source

This is an enterprise drive because the PCIe interface provides fast data access. SSD form factor 2.5″, but with a connector not on SATA, but on U.2, which connects to PCIe and uses 4 lanes.

.Connection also takes place via a cable — for example, this one. Source

M.2 SSD

M.2 is an SSD form factor. This is the same SSD, but without a plastic case: just a board on which the chips, controller, buffer memory are located.

They have several sizes: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110. The first two digits are the width in millimeters, the rest are the length. The width of all boards is 22 millimeters, and the length varies from 30 millimeters to 110 millimeters.

SSD M.2 drives are connected to special slots, without power cables or flat cables. Powered by the motherboard.

M.2 SSD example. Source

Interaction with the motherboard and processor goes through different buses and standards: SATA, PCIe and NVMe. Through the same M.2 slot, a disk can transfer data in different ways: over the old and slow SATA bus or the more modern PCIe.

Therefore, when it comes to M.2, they simply mean the form factor. How it will connect and how fast it will work depends on the M.2 key — M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe.

Note . M.2 is not always about SSDs. This is just a form in which other modules can exist — for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, other technologies.

M.2 SATA

M.2 SATA is the same 2.5-inch SSD, but in the M.2 form factor. It connects via SATA.

An example of an M.2 SATA drive. Source

They almost always have two «cuts» on the board — keys M and B. It is quite easy to distinguish them: the «cut» of key B is on the right, and M has it on the left (if you look at the board from above).

M.2 SATA speed is limited to the latest version of SATA 3, 600 MB/s.

M.2 NVMe, or M.2 PCIe NVME

This is the same M.2 SSD, but with an NVMe connection interface that transfers data through the PCI Express bus.

NVMe M.2 disk example. Source

As you can see in the picture, such a board has one key — M. Therefore, M.2 SATA SSD can be connected to any M.2 connector, but M.2 NVMe compatibility is not so high. Versions with key B are almost never found.

Such drives can achieve high read speeds because there is no interference in the form of SATA bus bandwidth. The response when accessing M.2 NVMe devices is also much higher. For example, the read speed of a Samsung 970 EVO Plus MZ-V7S250BW 250GB, M.2 2280, PCI-E x4, NVMe drive (pictured above) is 3500 MB/s, and 2300 MB/s for writing.

At the same time, the Kingston 120GB A400 (SA400M8/120G) SSD in the same form factor that works on SATA 3 has lower IOPS characteristics — 500/320.

The same SSD from Kingston.

Comparison of M.2 SATA and M.2 NVMe

The caveat is that these speeds are theoretical. In practice, most operations occur with small files, so it is not the sequential speed of reading files that is important, but the speed of working with random blocks. NVMe has a slight advantage over SATA here. The boot speed of OS and programs with NVMe is not much higher than with SATA. NVMe drives are a good choice when working with large files, such as video.

M.2 SATA also has advantages — they do not heat up, which means they do not require additional heatsinks for cooling. Although the M.2 SATA slot itself is usually located next to the video card.

At the same time, the situation is opposite for M.2 NVME: the power consumption of NVME devices exceeds SATA by several times and they get very hot. As a result, the controller may overheat and the performance of the drive will deteriorate. As a solution, you can buy NVMe devices with a complete heatsink or install an aluminum bar for passive cooling.

You can compare M.2 NVMe and M.2 SATA drives, but not M.2 and NVMe. NVMe is a data transfer standard, while M.2 is an SSD form factor where NVMe is supported. They are logically and physically different things.

When choosing an SSD drive, you need to focus on the selected motherboard, read/write speed requirements, and financial capabilities.

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Summary

• SATA SSD is a SATA SSD designed for HDDs.
• M.2 SSD is a type of solid state drive. They can be connected both via SATA and via the faster PCIe bus.
• NVMe is a fast data transfer protocol over the PCIe bus. The protocol is designed for SSD drives.

If we combine these concepts, it turns out that NVMe is not a device, but a protocol specification for transferring data via the PCIe interface from an M. 2 SSD drive. Therefore, for example, the phrase «NVMe drive» is incorrect.

Maximum speed and performance for M.2 PCIe drives. But not all motherboards and companies support them — expensive. Not all boards have M.2 slots, and if they do, M.2 SATA is more common.

M.2 SATA and SATA SSD 2.5 have almost the same specifications due to the common protocol. Therefore, if you need compactness (for example, you have a laptop), it is better to choose M.2 SATA or increase the number of M.2 NVMe ports with adapters. But if this is a stationary computer, then there is no difference with a 2.5 » SSD, both in terms of speed and price. At the same time, it is more convenient to quickly change disks through a cable.

2 types of M.2 SSDs: SATA and NVMe

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Aug 2021

• Personal Vault

• PC performance

• SSD

• M.2

• NVMe

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When talking about M.2 in storage technology, we usually talk about SSDs by referring to their form factor. M.2 refers to a form factor of solid state drives that resembles a chewing gum stick. With a small and slim design, they are ideal for lightweight and portable computing such as laptops, NUCs and Ultrabooks. They take up less space than 2.5″ SSDs or HDDs and can be up to 2TB in capacity.

Now that we have figured out what M.2 is, let’s consider the question: «Is M.2 faster than an SSD?»

The answer is no. M.2 is an SSD form factor, so this question doesn’t really make sense. However, the confusion it causes is understandable as M.2 SSDs are relatively new compared to other client-grade SSD form factors. There are two types of M.2 SSDs: SATA-based and NVMe-based. They differ in storage technology. And, depending on your needs and budget, they each have their pros and cons.

Helpful advice. Please note that an M.2 SSD is only compatible with a motherboard that supports an M.2 connector Check your computer’s motherboard to make sure it has an M.2 connector.

M.2 SATA SSD

M.2 SATA SSDs use a SATA interface with a maximum transfer rate of 6 Gb/s, which is slower than newer interfaces (more on that below). SATA-based SSDs are among the lowest class of SSDs in terms of performance and use the same interface as HDDs. However, SATA-based SSDs have 3 to 4 times the bandwidth compared to spinning HDDs. SATA SSDs are more affordable and less expensive than NVMe SSDs. M.2 SATA SSDs can be a great alternative to a 2.5″ SSD if your computer doesn’t have room for a 2.5″ SSD.

For a long time, SATA connections were mainly used for data storage. SATA drives required two SATA cables to work. One was used to transfer data to the motherboard, and the other was used to supply power to the PSU (power supply). Cable clutter has been one of the issues that could affect PC performance when using multiple SATA drives. Thin laptops and portable computers, including ultrabooks, have no room for SATA cables and therefore use the M.2 form factor. The M.2 SATA SSD solves this problem because it doesn’t have the two cable connections that other SATA-based drives used to have.

However, the fact that this is an M.2 SSD does not change the fact that it is a SATA SSD. The main difference between M.2 SATA and NVMe SSDs is the interface technology and performance levels. The M.2 SATA SSD still uses SATA-based interface technology. Speed ​​and performance doesn’t improve unless it’s an M.2 NVMe SSD.

M.2 NVMe 9 SSDs0029

M.2 NVMe SSDs use the NVMe protocol specifically designed for SSDs. Combined with the PCIe bus, the NVMe SSD delivers the highest level of performance and responsiveness. NVMe SSDs communicate directly with the system processor through PCIe slots. Essentially, this allows flash memory to act as an SSD directly through the PCIe slots, instead of using the SATA communication driver, which is much slower than NVMe.

M.2 NVMe SSDs are much faster than M.2 SATA SSDs. Using the PCIe bus, M.2 NVMe SSDs have a theoretical transfer rate of up to 20Gbps, which is already faster than M.2 SATA SSDs (6Gbps). PCIe buses can support 1, 4, 8, and 16 lanes. PCIe 3.0 has an effective transfer rate of up to 985 MB/s per lane, which means a potential transfer rate of up to 16 GB/s. However, when using the M.2 form factor with PCIe bus, only 2 and 4 lanes are available, which allows for a maximum data transfer rate of up to 4 GB/s.

Is NVMe faster than SATA? Technically, yes. Modern motherboards use the SATA III interface with a maximum throughput of 600 MB/s, while NVMe drives provide speeds up to 3500 MB/s. Performance levels are much higher than SATA SSDs, regardless of form factor. Only SSDs using NVMe technology exceed the transfer rate limits of SATA-based SSDs.

When choosing between an M.2 SATA SSD or an M.2 NVMe SSD, consider the following points.

• System support. Older devices may not be NVMe compatible because they do not have the necessary connections to use NVMe PCIe sockets.
• Quick start. The easiest way to speed up the boot of a computer system is to install an OS (operating system) on a solid state drive. You’ll notice the biggest performance boost when using an NVMe SSD.
• Drive resource prioritization. You can use an NVMe SSD in combination with another SATA SSD. This is an affordable option at no extra cost. You can install the OS and resource-intensive programs and applications on an NVMe SSD and use the SATA SSD to store everything else, such as smaller and less resource-intensive files, documents, and more.
• Gaming benefits. When using an M. 2 NVMe SSD, you will notice a dramatic reduction in game loading times. Games installed on NVMe drives will experience significantly better overall performance due to the transfer speed when calling games from the drive.
• PCIe generations. There are different generations of the PCIe bus with different levels of performance. Bandwidth doubles with each generation, and there are SSDs using different generations of PCIe. The latest version available is PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 is still under development.
• General connections. Some motherboards do not have enough PCIe connections to support multiple NVMe drives. You may need to decide whether to use the available connection for your graphics card or NVMe SSD. In other cases, PCIe lanes may be available, but only certain types of connections will be able to support the full speed of NVMe devices, such as an M.2 connection.

Helpful advice. Remember that M.