Despite the fact that solid-state drives, that is, SSDs, have appeared quite a long time ago, many users are just beginning to learn about them and use them on their computers. This may be due to the high price and small capacity, although they have higher performance than standard drives and are much faster.

Before delving into the types of hard drives, their manufacturing technologies, memory types and controllers, it is necessary to focus on the form factor (size). Each device is different in size, has its own connection connectors and is used in completely different ways. If a 2.5-inch SSD does not raise any questions, since it is similar in size and placement of connectors to conventional hard drives, then other types raise a lot of questions.

Today we will talk about devices such as SSD M.2 drives, what they are, what their features and advantages are. This is a relatively new standard, which, according to many experts, is a revolutionary solution. Let's take a closer look at this topic and find out as much information as possible.

Development of the SATA interface

The SATA interface has become a good replacement for PATA, replacing the wide cable with a more compact, thin and convenient option. The main trend in its development was the desire for compactness, and this is quite normal. Even the new interface required a variation that would allow it to be used in mobile devices and where there are special requirements for the size of components.

Thus, mSATA was created - the same interface, only with more compact dimensions. But it did not live long and was quickly replaced by a completely new one - the M.2 connector, which had even greater capabilities. It is not by mistake that the word SATA is not in the abbreviation, since the new version does not belong to this standard. We will talk about this in more detail later.

The only thing that needs to be said is that the M.2 SSD drive is connected without power cables and cables, thanks to which its use becomes as comfortable as possible and allows the computer to be even more compact. This is one of its key advantages.

M.2 Interface Overview

M.2 is a connector on an expansion card installed in a PCI-Express slot, or on the motherboard itself. You can install not only M.2 SSDs in it, but other modules, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The scope of application of this connector is quite wide, which makes it incredibly convenient and useful.

When upgrading your computer, be sure to pay attention to it and install a motherboard with this connector, even if you do not plan to install a solid-state drive with this interface yet.

However, if you have a fairly old motherboard and you don't want to change it, for example, "GA-P75-D3" with a missing M2 slot, but it has PCI-E 3.0, which has a video card and a PCIe x4 slot. In this case, you can install an SSD on PCIe x4 through a special adapter, but its speed will be slightly lower.

Absolutely all M.2 SSD drives have recessed mounting in M.2 connectors. This form factor provides maximum performance with minimal resource consumption and is designed for technological improvements in hard drives in the future.

Moreover, as mentioned above, connection does not require cables and cables, which usually only take up extra space. To start working with the device, simply insert it into the connector.

M-key and B-key

Today's hard drives, including SSDs, are connected to the SATA bus. The maximum throughput of which is 6 Gb/s, that is, approximately 550-600 Mb/s. For a regular drive, such a speed is simply unattainable, but SSD drives can reach much higher speeds without any problems. But installing them is absolutely pointless if the interface cannot “pump” data at a higher speed than the one for which it is itself designed.

In view of this, it became possible to use the PCI-Express bus with greater bandwidth:

1. PCI-Express 2.0. It has two lanes (PCI-E 2.0 x2), characterized by a throughput of up to 8Gb/s, or about 800Mb/s.
2. PCI-Express 3.0. It has four lanes (PCI-E 3.0 x4), with a bandwidth of 32Gb/s, or approximately 3.2Gb/s.

Which interface is used to connect a particular device determines the position of the jumper.

Currently, M.2 SSD drives have the following key options:

1. B key “Socket2” (includes support for PCI-E ×2, SATA, Audio, USB and other modules).
2. M key “Socket3” (includes support for PCI-E ×4 and SATA).

For example, we take a motherboard with an M.2 connector with an M-key. That is, the PCIe ×4 bus is used. Is it possible to install a SATA solid state drive in it? This is an interesting question that we will try to find an answer to.

You need to open the motherboard information and find out whether it supports M.2 SATA or not. Let's say the manufacturer says yes. In this case, you buy an SSD drive that was originally created for PCIe ×4, and absolutely no problems should arise when connecting.

When choosing a motherboard, be sure to pay attention to whether M.2 supports the SATA bus, so that you can use any hard drive.

Let's summarize all of the above and summarize:

1. M.2 is simply a different form factor (connector and size) of solid-state drives. All motherboards that are equipped with this slot use the PCI-E x4 bus.
2. The type of bus used by the drive depends on the keys. Usually the PCI-Express bus (M key) or SATA bus (M+B key) is used. The ability to connect an SSD with a SATA interface should be indicated in the specifications of the motherboard.

Size specification: 2260, 2280 and others

Often, when looking at the specification of a computer or laptop motherboard, you can come across the following line: “1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2260/2280” - this means that 1 M.2 slot with a type M key and size 2260/2280 is used. The first two digits “22” mean the width in “mm”, the second two digits “60” mean the length. Therefore, if you choose, say, Transcend TS128GMTS600, with a length of “60mm” and a width of “22mm,” then there will be no problems with its installation.

But even if you take the Kingston SHPM2280P2/480G with the “2280” type, and since the motherboard’s characteristics state support for this type of drive, installing it will not be difficult.

The motherboard can support many sizes of installed modules, and in this case, it has fixing screws that are designed for each length of the bracket.

NVMe technology

The older generation of conventional magnetic and SSD disks use the AHCI protocol, which was created relatively long ago and is still supported by many operating systems. But with the advent of more modern and faster SSDs, it does not cope with its task and cannot use all their capabilities to the maximum.

The NVMe protocol was created as a solution to this problem. It is characterized by the highest speed, lower latency and uses a minimum of processor resources when performing operations.

For the media to work using this technology, it must support it, so when choosing, pay special attention to this, just like the motherboard (it must support the UEFI standard).

Let's sum it up

After we reviewed SSDs with the M.2 standard, we can say that this is the most compact form factor of solid-state devices. And if the motherboard supports it, it is recommended to use it.

Let's look at a few that will help you make the right choice. So, first of all, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the following points:

1. Does the motherboard have the required M.2 slot, and what size modules does it allow for use (2260, 2280, etc.).
2. The type of key the slot uses (M, B or B+M).
3. Does the motherboard support the SATA or PCI-E interface, and what version is used (for example, PCIe 3.0 4x).
4. Do the operating system, the SSD itself, and the motherboard support AHCI or NVMe protocols?

After all, answering the question of what is better, an SSD with a standard connector or M.2, it is clear that you should choose the second option with NVMe support and install it on PCIe 3.0x4.

This will not only free up more space by reducing the number of wires, but will also increase transfer speeds, system speed and performance. The main thing is that it will make working at the computer more comfortable, enjoyable and efficient.

Don't know which interface to buy an SSD drive with? Then this article will help you with your choice! Today we will look at what interfaces exist for SSDs.

SSD drives have already been installed in almost all modern gaming PCs and laptops. Not surprising - the storage capacity is increasing, the price is decreasing, and the choice is huge. Yes, not all of them are as good as we would like, but today we will not talk about that. But besides choosing a manufacturer and model, another question arises: what interface do we need a drive with?

Now manufacturers continue development in two directions - the transition from SATA to PCI-Express and the use of a different physical interface. In the second case, several new types of connectors appeared before us. All this can take the user by surprise in case of upgrading his system.

SATA
We are already accustomed to the fact that SSD drives with a SATA interface are 2.5″ devices with a capacity of up to 1 TB. The SATA III interface (6 Gbps) provides real data transfer speeds of up to 550 MB/s. Such drives are most often found in PCs, monoblocks and laptops, while having maximum compatibility with platforms. But ultrabooks (for example, ASUS Zenbook) physically cannot accommodate such drives.

PCI-Express
Due to the peculiarity of the physical interface, PCI-Express SSD drives are used exclusively in PCs and servers. Depending on the drive, the PCI-Express x2, x4 or x8 interface is used. The advantage of PCI-Express drives is the speed, because it significantly exceeds that available from SATA III (550 MB/s) - here we get more than 780 MB/s (this speed is taken from ROG RAIDR Express). And in more expensive solutions - more than a gigabyte per second.

mSATA
The mSATA (mini-SATA) interface can be found on some desktop motherboards (for example, the ASUS Maximus V line) and in a considerable number of laptops. Drives with this interface comply with the SATA III specification (6 Gb/s) and can reach data transfer rates of 550 MB/s. The mSATA interface and devices are externally indistinguishable from the mini-PCI-Express interface and devices, but they are completely incompatible and installing an mSATA device in a mini-PCI-Express slot can lead to failure of these components. Currently, mSATA is already leaving the market, as it has been replaced by a newer interface - M.2.

SATA Express
The SATA Express interface is designed specifically for PCs and has a theoretical throughput of 10 Gbps (40% faster than SATA III). The new interface involves the use of a completely different connector on the board and on the drive, as well as the use of a new cable for transmitting information. For example, the new interface is already available on the ASUS Z87 Deluxe/SATA Express motherboard, and will also be available on new motherboards based on the Intel Z97 chipset. True, the drives themselves will appear only by summer. You can connect one SATA Express drive or two SATA III drives to one connector.

M.2 Connector (NGFF)
Previously known as NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor - after mSATA), M.2 drives have taken a place in laptops and ultrabooks. But some desktop motherboards will also have this connector. The M.2 interface can support both PCI-Express lines and SATA lines. But in most cases, PCI-Express lines are used. So when choosing an M.2 drive, you should first find out from the specification of your device what type of M.2 interface you have on the board.

One way to improve laptop performance is to replace the mechanical hard drive with a solid state drive (SSD). Let's try to figure out how to make the right choice of such an information storage device.

• A high degree of reliability, in particular, shock resistance and a wide operating temperature range. This is especially true for laptops, where cooling conditions leave much to be desired;
• Low power consumption;
• High level of productivity.

Features of choice

First, you need to decide on the purpose of the SSD, whether it will be used as a system drive only or whether it will also store large files, modern games of 40-50 GB. If in the first case a volume of 120 GB will be enough, then in the second you need to pay attention to models with a larger capacity. The best choice here may be disks with a size of 240-256 GB.

• Installation instead of an optical drive. To do this, you will need a special adapter, when choosing which you need to know the height (usually 12.7 mm). In some cases, you can find a device with 9.5 mm;
• Replacing the main HDD.

After this, you can already make a choice according to the remaining parameters, which are worth considering further.

Memory type

First of all, when choosing, you need to pay attention to the type of memory used. Three types are known: SLC, MLC and TLC, and all the rest are their derivatives. The difference is that in SLC one bit of information is written to one cell, while in MLC and TLC two and three bits are written, respectively.

From here the disk resource is calculated, which depends on the volume of overwritten memory cells. The operating time of TLC memory is the lowest, but it still depends on the type of controller. At the same time, disks on such chips show better read speed results.

Form factor, interface

The most common SSD form factor is 2.5 inches. mSATA (mini-SATA), PCIe and M.2 are also known, which are used in compact laptops and ultrabooks. The main interface through which data reception/transmission operations are carried out is SATA III, where speeds can reach up to 6 Gbit/s. In turn, in M.2, information can be exchanged using both standard SATA and the PCI-Express bus. Moreover, in the second case, the modern NVMe protocol is used, developed specifically for SSDs, which provides speeds of up to 32 Gbit/s. Disks of mSATA, PCIe and M.2 form factors are expansion cards and take up little space.

Based on this, we can say that before purchasing, you need to read the technical documentation for the laptop on the manufacturer’s website and check the availability of the above connectors. For example, if a laptop has an M.2 connector with support for the NVMe protocol, it is recommended to purchase an appropriate drive, since its data transfer speed will be higher than what a SATA controller can provide.

Controller

Parameters such as read/write speed and disk resource depend on the control chip. Manufacturers include Marvell, Samsung, Toshiba OCZ (Indilinx), Silicon Motion, Phison. Moreover, the first two from the list produce controllers with a high level of performance and reliability, so they are mainly used in solutions for the medium and business segment of consumers. Samsung also has a hardware encryption feature.

Silicone Motion and Fison controllers have a good combination of price and performance, but products based on them have disadvantages such as low random write/read performance and a drop in overall operating speed when the disk is full. They are intended mainly for the budget and mid-range segments.

There may also be SSDs on the once very popular SandForce and JMicron chips. In general, they show good results, but drives based on them have a relatively low resource and are presented mainly in the budget segment of the market.

Disc rating

The main drive manufacturers are Intel, Patriot, Samsung, Plextor, Corsair, SanDisk, Toshiba OCZ, AMD. Let's look at a few drives that are the best in their category. And as a selection criterion, we will highlight volume.

Note: The list below is based on average prices at the time of writing: March 2018.

Drives up to 128 GB

Samsung 850 120GB presented in 2.5″/M.2/mSATA form factors. The average price for a disc is 4,090 rubles. It features best-in-class performance and a 5-year warranty.

Options:
Sequential reading: 540 MB/s
Sequential recording: 520 MB/s
Wear resistance: 75 TBW
Memory type: Samsung 64L TLC

ADATA Ultimate SU650 120GB has the best price in the class, 2,870 rubles to be exact. It contains a unique SLC caching algorithm, for which all available space is allocated to the firmware. This ensures good average performance. Models are available for all major form factors.

Options:
Sequential reading: 520 MB/s
Sequential recording: 320 MB/s
Wear resistance: 70 TBW
Memory type: TLC 3D NAND

Drives from 128 to 240-256 GB

Samsung 860 EVO (250GB) is the latest model from the company of the same name for 2.5″/M.2/mSATA. At the start of sales it costs 6,000 rubles. According to the tests carried out, the disc has best-in-class wear resistance, the value of which increases with increasing volume.

Options:
Sequential reading: 550 MB/s
Sequential recording: 520 MB/s
Wear resistance: 150 TBW
Memory type: Samsung 64L TLC

SanDisk Ultra II 240 GB— despite the fact that the manufacturing company was acquired by Western Digital, models under this brand are often found on sale. This is the SanDisk Ultra II, which uses a controller from Marvell, now selling for about 4,600 rubles.

Options:
Sequential reading: 550 MB/s
Sequential recording: 500 MB/s
Wear resistance: 288 TBW
Memory type: TLC ToggleNAND

Drives with a capacity of 480 GB or more

Intel SSD 760p 512GB is a representative of the new line of SSDs from Intel. Available only in the M.2 form factor, it has high speeds. The price is traditionally quite high - 16,845 rubles.

Options:
Sequential reading: 3200 MB/s
Sequential recording: 1670 MB/s
Wear resistance: 288 TBW
Memory type: Intel 64L 3D TLC

Price for SSD Crucial MX500 1TB is 15,200 rubles, which makes it the most affordable disc in this category. Currently available only in the SATA 2.5″ form factor, but the manufacturer has already announced models for M.2.

Options:
Sequential reading: 560 MB/s
Sequential recording: 510 MB/s
Wear resistance: 288 TBW
Memory type: 3D TCL NAND

Conclusion

Thus, we looked at the criteria for choosing an SSD for a laptop and got acquainted with several models that are on the market today. In general, installing a system on an SSD has a good effect on its performance and reliability. The fastest drives are the M.2 form factor, but you need to pay attention to whether the laptop has such a connector. Despite the fact that almost all new models are built on TLC chips, it is recommended to also consider models with MLC memory, which have a significantly higher resource. This is especially true when choosing a system drive.

The term "form factor" is used in the computer industry to describe the shape and size of its various components, such as hard drives, motherboards, power supplies, and more. When hard drives first began to be used in microcomputers (a novelty at the time), they used magnetic platters up to 8 inches in diameter. These platters were the largest component of hard drives and determined the width of the metal casing itself, protecting the fragile internals.

The height of the body was dictated by the number of “pancakes” used in a particular model. In the most capacious ones, the number reached 14. Since then, it was the diameter of the magnetic plates that was used to determine the form factor of hard drives. Large 8" disks have been replaced by 5.25", which for a long time were the main standard for desktop PCs, they have been replaced by the usual 3.5" disks; in laptops, 2.5" are mainly used, and in some places micro-drives of the 1.8" form factor have found use.

What determines the SSD form factor?

When solid-state drives first began to replace traditional HDDs, their dimensions were dictated by compatibility, because they were installed in the same cases and the same connectors as mechanical drives. The drives shown in the image below are actually twins in form factor, with the exception of size. Both drives use almost the same SATA connectors, but the 1.8" connector is narrower.

Interior of 1.8" and 2.5" SSD board

But in reality, the requirement for size compatibility with traditional hard drives is not mandatory. Some SSDs come in the form factor of expansion cards for PCIe slots, which is reflected in their form factor. Despite the completely different appearance, the essence of the disk itself does not change much; the main difference is the changed interface (PCIe instead of SATA).

The largest component of an SSD is the memory chips. It is their number and size that determine the physical dimensions of the drive. With modern trends towards miniaturization, the emergence of more compact form factors was not long in coming.

The development and standardization of form factors for computer components, including SSDs, is usually carried out by JEDEC (Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council). They developed the MO-297 standard, which describes the parameters, dimensions and placement of smaller format SSD connectors. The drive size according to this standard is 54 mm x 39 mm, which allows you to use the same connectors as 2.5" drives, taking up less space.

As the drives got smaller, it became clear that further miniaturization was hampered by the standard SATA connector. In addition to the fact that it specified at least one of the dimensions, it also increased the cost of the finished solution, since the SATA connector must be additionally soldered to the board. The logical step was the appearance of drives, the interface of which was the edge of the board, like expansion cards. In addition to the advantages described above, such a connector can simply be plugged directly into the corresponding slot on the motherboard, eliminating the need for extra wires/connectors.

Recognizing the need for further downsizing, JEDEC adopted the MO-300 (50.8 mm x 29.85 mm) standard with a mini-SATA (mSATA) connector. This connector is the same size as mini PCI Express, although it is not electrically compatible with it. SSD manufacturers have presented many solutions in this form factor. Some high-capacity drives were made longer to accommodate more memory chips.

MO-300 standard disc and custom length disc

In 2012, a new, even smaller format, Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), was introduced, which was later renamed M.2. This standard defines a large list of possible board sizes and introduces a connector that is electrically compatible with both mSATA and PCIe. The specific details of an interface are determined by its shape.

Apple, which often uses SSDs in its laptops, has traditionally gone its own way and used a proprietary interface similar to M.2, changing it almost every year. In 2013, they switched from SATA to PCIe for even faster speeds.

In some cases, no standard form factor is suitable, and SSD manufacturers produce highly specialized solutions designed for niche applications.

Finally we come to the most familiar interface option - USB. Although the ubiquitous “flash drives” are no longer a new product, they are also essentially SSDs and are worthy of mention. The first USB drives appeared as a more reliable and faster replacement for conventional 3.5" floppy disks, and the main speed limiter was the USB interface. Now, with the advent of the USB 3 standard, high-speed SATA-USB 3 bridges and advanced controllers such as LSI® SandForce®, flash drives have reached speeds comparable to built-in drives, while still retaining their main advantage: portability and ease of connection.

As you can see, the main vector of development in SSDs is miniaturization. But like many rules, there are exceptions. For example, the SFF-8639 connector is currently at the development and approval stage. Its main advantage is the support of multiple interfaces on a single connector. The price for such versatility was the large size of the connector and, accordingly, the drives. The main application of the SFF-8639 is complex data storage systems in data centers and mega data centers. The future SATA Express connector is also similar to SFF-8639, but it deserves a separate discussion.

Essentially, the lack of mechanical elements in SSD solutions allows them to be miniaturized and expands their use cases where traditional drives fail.

Just as various new products and alternative technologies are constantly appearing in the field of computer hardware, not all users are able to “keep up” with them.

For this reason, assembling a computer yourself, replacing a hard drive or RAM can become quite a complex process, even if you have already done it before.

In this article we will look at the mSATA interface, answer the question of what it is, what it is needed for and what features it has.

Definition

Where can a user even encounter this concept and what does it refer to?

The abbreviation mSATA is used in relation to and denotes a type of interface and form factor.

Therefore, documentation for such equipment usually contains the wording mSATA SSD.

The advantages of the SSD format are obvious. This includes speed, less heating, and almost complete absence of noise. But what features does the mSATA form factor give it?

In this abbreviation, m stands for mini (miniSATA), and from this it immediately becomes clear that this form factor implies a device of a relatively small or reduced size. The dimensions of this form factor are 5.95x3.0x0.3 cm.

Initially, this disk format was developed as a fast and stable buffer memory.

And indeed, these disks, thanks to the efforts of Intel developers, significantly increased the performance of the computer.

But currently the standard is actively used in all compact devices, as it is able to provide operating speed.

Devices with this standard size were first sold starting in 2009. It was this year that it was introduced by Serial ATA International Organization.

And although this is a fairly convenient and functional type of hard drive, it is not very widespread.

Form factor is an indicator that specifies the dimensions of any technical product, as well as describing some of its other dimensional parameters. The most adequate translation of this concept into Russian would be standard size. This indicator is important to consider when choosing a device, since it determines whether you can even connect a hard drive to the connector provided on your computer.

Peculiarities

The main purpose for which these drives were developed was to install them in laptops and small or ultra-thin ones.

That is, this type of disk is necessary in those devices in which it is impossible to install a larger disk due to its dimensions.

It is believed that a miniSATA disk combines all the advantages of SSD and HDD disks, which is why they are successfully implemented in almost all small mobile devices, starting from the very year of their release.

Despite its dimensions, the device remains functional and stable in operation, and is quite powerful. In addition, it is characterized by high speed and almost complete absence of noise.

Other names that essentially also mean NGFF or Next Generation Form Factor and M.2.

Memory

There is no pronounced difference in memory capacity between regular disks and the mini format.

For example, a mini-disk from , which provides 1TB of memory, is currently quite successfully sold on the market.

However, such a device costs almost $600.

However, there are also more budget-friendly and functional models with less memory.

They will be quite enough for normal functioning and work on a PC.

They are also able to ensure fast and stable operation of the device.

What devices is it suitable for?

Strictly speaking, it is suitable for any electrically compatible device that has a suitable connection socket.

But such a device costs a little more than disks with a larger form factor with the same quality, operating features, and performance characteristics.

Therefore, it is advisable to buy such a mini-disk only as a last resort, that is, for installation in devices in which it is impossible to install a larger disk.

These can be various small netbooks, ultra-thin ultrabooks, very small laptops.

Advice! Technically, the connector of this mini-disk is similar to the common and popular PCI Express Mini Card interface. These interfaces are compatible both technically and electrically. But for correct operation, it will be necessary to switch a number of signals to the controller intended for this.

However, it is important to consider that not all laptops are equipped with a slot for connecting such a drive.

And if the manufacturer did not consider it necessary to equip the laptop with it, then you will not be able to connect a drive of this format.

How can you find out if your device supports this format?

Compatibility

Naturally, all old models released before 2009 do not support it, since such devices simply did not exist in the year of their release.

If the laptop is quite new, then you can check the presence of the appropriate connection interface on the official website or using technical documentation,

Here are some of the most popular lines of laptops from well-known brands, many of whose models support this disk size:

• Acer Aspire (M3, M5, R7), Timeline, Iconia Tab (W500, W700);
• Alienware;
• ASUS EeeSlate, Vivo Book, Zenbook (Ux 21, Ux 31);
• Clevo Notebook (P150, P151, P157, W350, W650, W230, W355, W651, W655, W740);
• Dell Inspiron (14, 15, 17), Precision, XPS, XPS One, Vostro;
• Fusion Garage, Futro;
• Gigabyte (Q, U);
• Google;
• HP Pavilion, ENVY, Folio, ZBook;
• Lenovo, IdeaPad, IdeaPad Yoga, ThinkPad, ThinkPad Edge;
• LG Xnote;
• Samsung, Samsung Chromebook;
• Sony VAIO;
• Toshiba Portage, Satellite;
• WeTab.

Although this is an extensive list, it is far from a complete list of models that support this disk size. A complete list can be found on the developer's website.

Advantages

This device has all the same advantages over HDD format drives as standard-sized SSDs - they are fast, quiet, have a longer service life and are more stable.

However, they are small in size, allowing them to be installed in compact portable devices.

Thus, such disks have the main advantage - their installation can significantly improve the quality and increase the speed and stability of the operating system on a laptop.

Thus, if the performance of your device does not suit you, you can replace the HDD with mSATA. On the other hand, if you already have a standard form factor SSD installed, then installing mSATA is pointless, since the performance of the device will not change.

Installation

It is quite possible to independently install such a device on your PC.

It is enough just to have a certain amount of free time, accuracy and minimal skills in working with electronics.

However, if you do not have such skills, then it is better to entrust this to professionals, since attempts to replace it yourself can in this case damage not only the hard drive, but also the computer itself.