msata ssd or m2 with adaptor?

[mdaw]

Hi all,

My motherboard is a z87 msi gd65, i realise i cant use an m2 ssd without an adaptor but there are msata ssd out there. Which would perform better on my motherboard or would there be no difference with an adaptor? If so then i think you can pick up m2 cheaper these days and a bit more future proof when upgrading.

 

[JR1]

Hi mdaw,

It's a bit confusing. m2 is a form factor (and type of interface on a motherboard) and not a specific type of SSD; m2 was designed to support small form factor cards including SSDs . There are both m2 sata and m2 NVMe SSDs. m2 NVMe SSDs are typically faster than sata SSDs and need to be connected to a motherboard's PCIe lanes. Modern motherboards often provide m2 slots that provide direct access to PCIe lanes. If they don't one can use a PCIe to m2 adapter that plugs into a standard PCIe slot.

msata is another type of interface, which provides access to sata ports - it provides support for small form factor sata SSDs that used to be commonly seen in laptops before the advent of m2 slots and m2 SSDs.

With you your mobo I would choose to go for a m2 NVME SSD by using a PCI to m2 NVMe adapter, for the reasons you mention.

Regards, JR

 

[mdaw]

That makes a lot of sense. I think. Msata won't really make much difference as its effectively just sata. Whereas using an m2 nvme on a pcie slot could make a difference but definitely would on a future upgrade. For me at the moment it is more a case of running out of places to put sata ssd's. I have one 120gb 840 evo, a 500gb SanDisk ultra 2 (I think) whis is filling fast as games can be 50gb. I also have another 500gb 860evo which I'm looking at transferring the data from my 120gb drive as its my os drive currently and is nearly full despite not having much on it. I do still have an old hdd which has about 80gb on it of old stuff which I thought I would stick on the 840 evo and ditch the hdd. If I need a new ssd for space a m2 pcie option would be a cleaner easier install as I'm running out of cable space and length at the back of my case.