Have you ever wondered what the small port near your primary PCIe slot was?
Maybe it even has a smaller chip plugged into it, but what does it do?
Having more uses than one, the M.2 slot’s versatility makes it a worthy adversary on any motherboard.
What Is NVMe and How Does It Work?
It utilizes the onboard PCIe interface to transfer data rather than traditional SATA connections.
Unlike typical SATA connections, NVMe is optimized forsolid-state storage devices.
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Are NVMe and M.2 the Same?
Contrary to popular belief, NVMe and M.2 are not the same and are rather incomparable.
The M.2 slot is usually filled byan M.2 SSDbut can also be used for other purposes.
NVMe specializes in minimalism and speed, directly connecting to the motherboard.
Using the PCIe interface, the lack of SATA cables makes for a clean installation process for all users.
Less clutter effectively results in better airflow and a cleaner final product.
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non-NVMe M.2 SSDs offer the same speeds as SATA SSDs but make everything compact.
What Does the NVMe Port Look Like?
NVMe ports are commonly found on laptops and desktops today, allowing access to flash storage for greater efficiency.
Newer devices often utilize them for internet or Bluetooth cards, similar to a laptop’s configuration.
These are generally located between thegraphics cardandCPUor in one of the lower corners of your motherboard.
Flash memory and lack of moving parts promoted reliability and lack of potential component failures.
