SilverStone Add-In Card Offers Expanded M.2 Support
SilverStone released an M.2 PCI-E adapter, bringing support for M.2 Key M and M.2 Key B to motherboards that lack an interface for these devices.
The adapter from SilverStone uses a PCI-E x4 interface and fits into virtually all systems. Although it comes with a typical ATX mounting bracket attached, it also includes a bracket for mounting to a low-profile expansion slot. The device requires no drivers to operate.
Once connected to the motherboard via a PCI-E slot, the adapter is capable of supporting a single M.2 Key M slot device, such as an SSD. M.2 ports are becoming increasingly common on motherboards today, but many motherboards still lack M.2 connectivity.
As an SSD connected to an M.2 Key M slot is capable of operating at much greater speeds relative to one plugged into a Sata interface, it is only natural that enthusiasts want to take advantage of these devices. This adapter allows them to do so, without needing to upgrade their motherboard or other parts of the system.
For additional storage, there is an additional M.2 port utilizing the Key B standard. This M.2 Key B connector, however, will not function with just the PCI-E x4 interface connected and must be plugged into a Sata port in order to be operational. As this adapter only utilizes four PCI-E lanes, using a Sata connection was the only way to provide additional bandwidth for the M.2 Key B. The M.2 Key M slot itself requires four lanes of PCI-E connectivity, and thus there is insufficient bandwidth remaining for the M.2 Key B.
Although the M.2 Key B can function with a Sata interface, this at best only provides 600 MB/s of bandwidth, rendering the drive no faster than a typical Sata SSD. Alternatively, SilverStone could have implemented and used additional PCI-E lanes to connect the M.2 Key B instead of relying on Sata, providing 1000 MB/s of bandwidth, assuming the PCI-E 2.0 standard is used. This would have provided superior performance and ultimately given users a reason to want to use an M.2 Key B on this card rather than a traditional SSD.
The SilverStone ECM20 is available now with an MSRP of $17.36.
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thundervore This is great but I would have loved if it took 2 M.2 cards over the PCIe lanes instead of one going over SATA. I may have to pick one up for my Gigabyte Z77 boardReply
Also would It kill them to make the PCI bracket black. The default silver is so dated. -
ragenalien ReplyThis is great but I would have loved if it took 2 M.2 cards over the PCIe lanes instead of one going over SATA. I may have to pick one up for my Gigabyte Z77 board
Also would It kill them to make the PCI bracket black. The default silver is so dated.
Eh, just take off the bracket. It's not like it needs to be there. Those are just there to support the weight. -
Samer1970 I guess they did not add extra lanes for 2 M2 devices because they will need a PLX switch chip for that. for each drive to be bootable. this would make the card $100 ... and not $17Reply -
mmaatt747 ReplyWould a Samsung M.2 drive work on an older AM2+/AM3 system?
Yea and would actually be a good use for it since you can't take advantage of 6 G/s speeds that a SATA SSD would offer current PC's. Just make sure you're using this adapter with a M.2 key M SSD, though
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jasonelmore please be sure your m.2 drive has a pcie contoller on it.. most m.2's have a sata controller and would not get blazing fast speeds.Reply -
Samer1970 Reply16520135 said:What is the access time penalty relative to built-in m.2 ?
there is no penalty , it is the same