M.2 vs SATA for performance

[Jhinbe]

Hi all! I'm planning to get an SSD for installing the OS, commonly used programs, some games, etc. I basically just want faster load times than

what I currently get with my HDD.

I was looking at a 500GB m.2, however I don't have a port on my motherboard so I would have to buy an adaptor. I'm wondering whether a SATA3 

SSD would be noticeably slower, as it would be quite cheaper and doesn't need an adaptor.

On paper, the speed difference is huge, so that's what's holding me back from just getting the cheaper one. What do you guys think? Also, any 

SSD recommendations?

[minibois]

There are M.2 drives that use the SATA and PCIE interface. One of which would be faster than a SATA drive, the other being the same speed as a SATA drive.

An SATA SSD - whether it be 2.5" or M.2 - will not be notiecably slower than an M.2 PCIE, except for certain scenarios where you are doing loads of random reads/writes.

[Stu_Bear]

In the average user's hands there's little to no benefit the m.2 has over a sata SSD.  It's not worth the expense of buying an adapter to use m.2.  If I was in your shoes...I'd opt for two small ssd drives.  One for OS & apps.  The second for games, movies and music.  Keeping stuff on separate drives can have real world benefits.