Crucial SSD M.2 Questions

[Vicious2500]

I'm looking into upgrading my storage and am trying to decide which SSD to get. I've been heavily considering getting a M.2 SSD I noticed that the Crucial MX200 500GB comes in 2 variants a one sided and 2 sided model. Is there advantage of going M.2 SSD vs normal 2.5in SSD aside from plugging straight into my mobo and not having to power it with a sata cable?


Current choices
Crucial MX200 500GB SSD
Crucial BX100 500GB SSD
Crucial MX200 500GB M.2

One sided
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4M52WH5323

Two sided
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4RE2Z38126

Update: Well doesn't into my M.2 about key...RMA and considering a pcie ssd or regular 2.5" ssd. Be if helpful they included the key info on Newegg description as well as other computer part venders. In effect I can't use 3/4 the M.2 SSD on the market...

The asus Hyper M.2 x 4 PCIe and the onboard M.2 are M key
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?res...authkey=!ACJahTUY8aYwSMI&v=3&ithint=photo,jpg

M+B M.2 Key
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?res...authkey=!AGZHwyl-w_0IjHU&v=3&ithint=photo,jpg

 

[cadaveca]

The difference is length of the drive(2280 vs 2260). It is best to have single-sided, IMHO, if your board can fit the longer card. The single-sided will have a lower heat density. Otherwise, there are no functional differences.

 

[manofthem]

I just found a little info I was going to share before Dave beat me to it.

Taken from here

Physical size and connectors


Unlike SATA drives, M.2 allows for a variety of physical sizes. Right now, all M.2 drives that are intended for use in PCs are 22mm wide, but they come in a variety of lengths. To make it easier to tell which drives can be mounted on a motherboard or PCI-E card, the width and height of both the drive and slot is usually expressed in a single number that combines the two dimensions. For example, a drive that is 22mm wide and 80mm long would be listed as being a 2280 (22mm x 80mm). Common lengths for M.2 drives and mounting right now are 30mm (2230), 42mm (2242), 60mm (2260), 80mm (2280), and 110mm (22110).

 

[Vicious2500]

The difference is length of the drive(2280 vs 2260). It is best to have single-sided, IMHO, if your board can fit the longer card. The single-sided will have a lower heat density. Otherwise, there are no functional differences.

Does a singled sided M.2 drive run hotter than the 2.5 variant?

 

[cadaveca]

Does a singled sided M.2 drive run hotter than the 2.5 variant?

Not really.

 

[Vicious2500]

Not really.

Well it's a fine time to put my M.2 port to use thanks dave... or is it cadaveca?

 

[cadaveca]

either or works.

 

[Athlon2K15]

If i were you i would look for something that is PCIe M.2 and not SATA m.2.

 

[Vicious2500]

I just found a little info I was going to share before Dave beat me to it.

Taken from here

Well my mobo fits all those sizes and it came with a PCIE lane too.

https://www.asus.com/websites/global/products/eyXmZbDgl2Vjtze1/img/hp/performance/speed-2.png

I just figure i have the port might as well use it and not worry about cables its only like $10 more than the 2.5in version.

 

[manofthem]

I just figure i have the port might as well use it and not worry about cables its only like $10 more than the 2.5in version.

I've been wanting to try it out too, and I think that's a good enough reason to spring for that extra $10. It'd be nice not needing cables.

 

[Vicious2500]

I've been wanting to try it out too, and I think that's a good enough reason to spring for that extra $10. It'd be nice not needing cables.

Convenience trumps all!

If i were you i would look for something that is PCIe M.2 and not SATA m.2.

I fear my vertex 3 is going the way of the graveyard and from what I've read in reviews I'm better off with a sata M.2 at this point. PCIE are still pricey maybe next year I can convince the Mrs. I need it planning to get a 1440p or 4k monitor next.

 

[Vicious2500]

Just my luck I order the drive and the following morning Newegg has the 2.5 ssd on sale $23 cheaper...

 

[RejZoR]

Be aware that A LOT of M.2 modules only sport SATA speeds which sucks big time. Look for drives like Samsung 950 Pro that has M.2 format, but on NVMe "bus" and sports speeds of up to 2.5GB/s. Now that's a difference. I'm thinking of sticking a 256GB Samsung 950 Pro into my Sabertooth X99 for SSD caching. Or maybe a cheaper route of SM951 128GB. It's "just" 1.5 GB/s, but I think it should be plenty. 3x faster than current drive and 4x the capacity.

 

[Vicious2500]

Be aware that A LOT of M.2 modules only sport SATA speeds which sucks big time. Look for drives like Samsung 950 Pro that has M.2 format, but on NVMe "bus" and sports speeds of up to 2.5GB/s. Now that's a difference. I'm thinking of sticking a 256GB Samsung 950 Pro into my Sabertooth X99 for SSD caching. Or maybe a cheaper route of SM951 128GB. It's "just" 1.5 GB/s, but I think it should be plenty. 3x faster than current drive and 4x the capacity.

I'm aware that it's essentially a sata drive minus the wires. I'll hang onto this drive and eventually get a pcie nvme drive. Next on the upgrade list is a 1440p or 4k monitor.

Update: Well doesn't into my M.2 about key...RMA and considering a pcie ssd or regular 2.5