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WHAT’S THE DIFF: SSD VS. NVME VS. M.2 DRIVES

June 16, 2023 by Andy Klein // 15 Comments

Hey there, computer enthusiasts of the world! Let’s talk drives. You know them.
You love them. Or maybe you don’t know them, and that’s why you’re here. With so
many options out there, it can be hard to pick the perfect one. Especially if
you’re on the hunt for a solid state drive (SSD) that’ll amp up your gaming
experience or just supercharge your laptop without emptying your wallet. Don’t
worry, we’ve got your back! We love nothing more than comparing and contrasting
different types of drives all day. So, we’ve put together this “What’s the Diff”
post to lay it all out for you.

SSDs have become a popular option because they are fast. They read and write
data way faster than your pokey old hard drive. Yes, they are more expensive,
but you’ve been saving up and it’s time to jump in. But which type of SSD do you
need? In this post we’ll cover:

 * What is an SSD?
 * What is a SATA SSD?
 * What is an M.2 SSD?
 * What is an NVMe SSD?
 * Which SSD is right for you?


A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO SSDS

SSDs are storage devices that use NAND-based flash memory to store data. They
are now standard issue for most computers, as is the case across Apple’s line of
Macs. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which store data on spinning
disks, SSDs have no moving parts, which makes them faster, more reliable, and
less prone to mechanical failures.

SSDs have become so common mainly because they are faster in terms of read/write
speeds versus hard drives. This means that they can access and transfer data
much more quickly. This makes them an ideal choice for use in high-performance
computers, servers, and other devices that require fast data access and transfer
speeds. They also use less power. You can read more about the difference between
SSDs and HDDs in this post.

One downside of SSDs is that they tend to be more expensive than HDDs,
especially when it comes to larger storage capacities. However, as the cost of
flash memory continues to decrease, SSDs are becoming more affordable and
accessible for everyday consumers. SSDs are also available at different form
factors, such as 2.5” and M.2, so they can be used in a range of devices.


WHAT IS A SATA SSD?

A Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) is the standard storage interface
used in many PCs. A SATA SSD is an SSD equipped with a SATA interface to connect
the storage device to a computer’s motherboard. The SATA SSD comes in the
standard 2.5 inch form factor and has both power and data (SATA) connectors. If
you buy an SSD external drive to connect to your PC, there will most likely be a
SATA SSD inside. Generally, the SATA SSD is the least expensive type of SSD all
other factors being equal. This makes a great choice to speed up your old hard
drive-based computer or add an external drive that can read and write data more
quickly.

One thing to know about external SSD drives is that they should not be
disconnected from your computer and stored away for long periods of time.
Anything over a year is too long, and as the drive gets older it needs to be
plugged in even more often. But you didn’t spend all that money to store your
new super fast external SSD drive in the closet, did you?




WHAT ARE M.2 DRIVES?

M.2 drives, also known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) drives, are a type
of SSD that uses the M.2 interface to connect directly into a computer’s
motherboard without the need for cables. M.2 SSDs are significantly smaller and
faster than traditional, 2.5 inch SSDs, so they have become popular in gaming
setups because they take up less space. They’re also more power-efficient than
other types of SSDs, which improves battery life in portable devices.

Even at this smaller size, M.2 SSDs are able to hold as much data as other SSDs,
ranging up to 8TB in storage size. But, while they can hold just as much data
and are generally faster than other SSDs, they also come at a higher cost. As
the old adage goes, you can only have two of the following things: cheap, fast,
or good.

M.2 drives are easy to install, and they can be added to most modern
motherboards that have an M.2 slot. People who are looking to improve their
gaming setup with an M.2 SSD will need to make sure their motherboard has an M.2
slot. If your motherboard does not have an M.2 slot, you may be able to use an
M.2 drive by using an adapter card that fits into a Peripheral Component
Interconnect Express (PCIe) slot. So, before you run out and buy an M.2 SSD,
you’ll need to know which interface your computer will accept, M.2 SATA or M.2
PCIe.




WHAT IS AN NVME?

Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a storage protocol that offers high-speed
and efficient communication between a computer’s CPU and SSDs. Drives that use
NVMe were introduced in 2013 to attach to the PCIe slot directly on a
motherboard instead of using the traditional SATA interface typically used by
HDDs and older SSDs. Unlike SATA, which was originally designed for slower HDDs,
NVMe takes advantage of the low-latency and high-speed capabilities of SSDs.
NVMe drives can usually deliver a sustained read-write speed of 2.6 GB/s in
contrast with SATA SSDs that limit at 600 MB/s. Since NVMe SSDs can reach higher
speeds than SATA SSDs, it makes them ideal for gaming, high-resolution video
editing, and applications that require high-performance storage, such as
enterprise databases, virtualization, and data analytics.

Their high speeds come at a high cost, however: NVMe drives are some of the more
expensive drives on the market.




WHICH SSD IS BEST TO USE?

There are a few factors to consider in choosing which drive is best for you. As
you compare the different components of your build, consider your technical
constraints, budget, capacity needs, and speed priority.


TECHNICAL CONSTRAINTS

Check the capability of your system before choosing a drive, as some older
devices don’t have the components needed for NVMe connections. Also, check that
you have enough PCIe connections to support multiple PCIe devices. Not enough
lanes, or only specific lanes, means you may have to choose a different drive or
that only one of your lanes will be able to connect to the NVMe drive at full
speed.


BUDGET

If you plan to be making a lot of large file transfers or want to have the
highest speeds for gaming, then an NVMe SSD is what you want. Until recently
SATA SSDs were much more affordable options compared with NVMe drives, but that
is changing rapidly. For example, at the time of publication, a Samsung 1TB SATA
SSD (860 EVO) retails for $118 on Amazon, while a Samsung 1TB NVMe drive (970
EVO) is listed for only $121 on sale on Amazon.


DRIVE CAPACITY

SATA drives usually range from 500GB to 16TB in storage capacity. Most M.2
drives top out at 2TB, although some may be available at 4TB and 8TB models at
much higher prices.


DRIVE SPEED

When choosing the right drive for your setup, remember that SATA M.2 drives and
2.5 inch SSDs provide the same level of speed, so to gain a performance
increase, you will have to opt for the NVMe-connected drives. While NVMe SSDs
are going to be much faster than SATA drives, you may also need to upgrade your
processor to keep up or you may experience worse performance. Finally, remember
to check read and write speeds on a drive as some earlier generations of NVMe
drives can have different speeds.


CHOOSE THE RIGHT SSD FOR YOUR SETUP

Before choosing a new drive, remember to back up all of your data. Backing up is
essential as every drive will eventually fail and need to be replaced. The basis
of a solid backup plan requires three copies of your data: one on your device,
one backup saved locally, and one stored off-site. Storing a copy of your data
in the cloud ensures that you’re able to retrieve it if any data loss occurs on
your device.

Interested in learning more about other drive types or best ways to optimize
your setup? Let us know in the comments below.

FAQ

What is the difference between NVMe and M.2 drives?

NVMe and M.2 are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different aspects
of storage technology. Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) drives attach to the
PCI Express (PCIe) slot directly on a motherboard instead of using the
traditional SATA interface, resulting in higher data transfer speeds. M.2, on
the other hand, is a physical form factor or connector used for SSDs. M.2 drives
can support various storage interfaces, including NVMe, SATA, and others,
providing flexibility in terms of compatibility and speed.

Which is faster, NVMe or M.2 drives?

NVMe and M.2 drives are not directly comparable in terms of speed because they
refer to different aspects of storage technology. NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory
Express) is a storage protocol that provides high-speed communication between
the computer’s CPU and SSDs. It is designed to take full advantage of the
capabilities of SSDs and can offer significantly faster data transfer speeds
compared to traditional interfaces like SATA.

M.2, on the other hand, refers to a physical form factor or connector used for
storage devices, including SSDs. M.2 drives can support various interfaces,
including NVMe, SATA, and others. The speed of an M.2 drive depends on the
specific interface it uses. NVMe M.2 drives, which utilize the NVMe protocol,
can provide faster speeds compared to M.2 drives that use the SATA interface.

In summary, NVMe is a storage protocol that can be implemented in various form
factors, including M.2, and NVMe drives tend to offer faster speeds compared to
M.2 drives that utilize the SATA interface.

Can NVMe be used in any M.2 slot?

NVMe drives can generally be used in M.2 slots, but it is important to ensure
compatibility with the specific M.2 slot on your motherboard. M.2 slots can
support different types of interfaces, including SATA and NVMe.

What are the advantages of NVMe drives over M.2 drives?

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a storage protocol that can be implemented
through various form factors, one of which is M.2.

The main advantage of NVMe technology is its high-speed data transfer
capabilities. Compared to traditional storage interfaces like SATA, NVMe
provides significantly faster performance. It leverages the PCIe (Peripheral
Component Interconnect Express) interface, allowing for direct communication
between the CPU and the SSD. This results in reduced latency and improved
overall system responsiveness.

M.2, on the other hand, is a physical form factor or connector that can support
various interfaces,
including SATA and NVMe. M.2 drives can accommodate NVMe SSDs, allowing them to
take advantage of the faster speeds provided by the NVMe protocol.

Are NVMe drives more expensive than M.2 drives?

Until recently SATA SSDs were much more affordable options compared with NVMe
drives, but that is changing rapidly. For example, as of June 2023, a Samsung
1TB SATA SSD (860 EVO) retails for $118 on Amazon, while a Samsung 1TB NVMe
drive (970 EVO) is listed for only $121 on sale on Amazon. Prices are now
comparable.

print

Category: Cloud Storage, FeaturedTag: B2Cloud

ABOUT ANDY KLEIN

Andy Klein is the Principal Cloud Storage Storyteller at Backblaze. He has over
25 years of experience in technology marketing and during that time, he has
shared his expertise in cloud storage and computer security at events,
symposiums, and panels at RSA, SNIA SDC, MIT, the Federal Trade Commission, and
hundreds more. He currently writes and rants about drive stats, Storage Pods,
cloud storage, and more.


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