PCIe 3.0 x2 SSD, is it better to change to SATA M.2 ?

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fabiansc

Commendable
Sep 18, 2016
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Hi all,

I was very disappointed to find out that my laptop is restricted to x2 PCIe 3.0 lanes for SSD.
First, I was wondering, is it a hardware issue, or are they just to lazy to correct the BIOS or something?

Second, given that I can't utilize 4 lanes, but only 2, will an PCIe SSD still be much faster than an M.2 SATA one?

Thanks,
Fabian
 
Solution
drtweak
First off a PCIe SSD is a NVMe SSD NOT a normal SSD.

a NVME is much faster than a SSD

The question is do you need it and will you see the difference? More than likely no you will not honestly. Unless you are working with like 4k+ video, running a massive SQL database, or just want to copy large files super fast, stick with a normal SATA ssd and save your money. Now if you get a SATA SSD or a M.2 SATA SSD it will make no difference. Just M.2 are kind of limited to 512 for the most part due to their size. a M.2 SSD like a Samsung 850 Evo/Pro you will not see a difference. Only if you get a Samsung 950 Pro which is NVMe.

Also 2 lanes of PICe 3.0 will sill be faster than SATA pushing out 10Gbps vs 6Gbps
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First off a PCIe SSD is a NVMe SSD NOT a normal SSD.

a NVME is much faster than a SSD

The question is do you need it and will you see the difference? More than likely no you will not honestly. Unless you are working with like 4k+ video, running a massive SQL database, or just want to copy large files super fast, stick with a normal SATA ssd and save your money. Now if you get a SATA SSD or a M.2 SATA SSD it will make no difference. Just M.2 are kind of limited to 512 for the most part due to their size. a M.2 SSD like a Samsung 850 Evo/Pro you will not see a difference. Only if you get a Samsung 950 Pro which is NVMe.

Also 2 lanes of PICe 3.0 will sill be faster than SATA pushing out 10Gbps vs 6Gbps
 
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Solution
Thank you so much Dr. Tweak! :)
So just to be sure I understand, the only advantage M.2 has over regular SATA is the reduced weight?

I bought a new laptop 3 weeks ago and I bought an OCZ RD400 PCIe SSD, but was really disappointed to see that Dell did a crappy work and now the laptop only supports 2x lanes.

I usually need the laptop for school but I do code, yet, I don't know any crazy DB stuff for now.

I do like the lightness of the PCIe SSD comparing to the heavy ass HDD that came originally with the laptop.
Are the M.2 SSD (not PCIe) also as light? And you think I won't notice a significant performance difference? I can still return the PCIe SSD so it's definitely a consideration.

Thanks again :)
 
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Yea i would return the NVMe and get a M.2 SATA SSD. They are just as light as NVMe and lighter than a 2.5 inch drive but give the same exact performance as a 2.5 SSD. I have put in quite a few 850 Evo M.2 SSD.

And got to be careful about those M, B, M+B Key's M.2 Slots. Just do a google on M vs B key and it will tell you everything you need to know.
 
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