M.2 A Key

[Tristerin]

Am I understanding this correctly that this interface (in my situation or all?) is not compatible with storage, only for wifi/BT communication?  Or is it going to communicate at PCIe x2 speeds?  And/or is this motherboard itself compatible (has enough PCIe lanes from either chipset or CPU?) for something like that (storage in this slot)

 

I have an OptiPlex 3040 micro form fact, and the wireless is less than stellar.  So I am going to take the M.2 card out and use a free USB port for a different wifi adapter.  Is the M.2 socket on this motherboard now rendered useless or can one of those tiny M.2 SSDs actually work in this machine?

 

Specs:

Dell 0MGK50 A02 (Mobo)

i3-6100T

 

https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/optiplex-3040m-desktop_owners-manual2_en-us.pdf

[kokosnh]

Well, it's true there's a PCI-e lane in M.2 key A, but first of all, there's no way of hooking up anything to it. There's no adapters for M.2 key A slot...

And there's no SSD for M.2 key A slot either. 

[Tristerin]

2 hours ago, kokosnh said:

Well, it's true there's a PCI-e lane in M.2 key A, but first of all, there's no way of hooking up anything to it. There's no adapters for M.2 key A slot...

And there's no SSD for M.2 key A slot either. 

Yeah I did a ton of research and couldn't find...anything (A slotted SSD's) except if its a "M.2 Socket 1" (which is what is labeled on the PCB as well below the connector) its only for Wifi/BT/ and some cell phone type of communications and that M.2 Socket 2 and M.2 Socket 3 types can do SSDs (found this on a generic document about M.2 slots)

 

Thus the reason me reaching out here, I had come to the conclusion that it wont work at all, but was hoping someone with more understanding than me could correct it

 

So last night I ordered a 2.5" HDD external drive so I could add more storage (super cheap on Ebay) that way.  Thank you for taking the time to help/confirm/etc!

[kokosnh]

I found something like this... i would be fun to see if it works

 

but well, you are better off using the chipset SATA ports.

[Tristerin]

1 hour ago, kokosnh said:

I found something like this... i would be fun to see if it works

 

but well, you are better off using the chipset SATA ports.

Hahaha yeah I was going to look at adapters next however this is a micro form factor so zero room inside for SATA usage - I may just buy it and test to see how/if it works.  Will let you know (once I get home and can look into it

[kokosnh]

25$ is to much to buy just for fun, and it's probably one PCI-e lane, if it's PCI-e 2.0 the max speed will be around 400MB/s (prabably 350 MB/s real)

And ther's almoust no use for is. Like where do you need extra 2 x SATA from M.2 key A ore E wifi card slot.

Only in some small form factor, where you want to have more SATA drives (but you have to have space for them in a PC case)

You can probably do that quite good in NUCs, the one with 2.5" bay, for easy access to SATA power, you can get the power, from the one SATA that is there already, and split it up. 

But well, you only need the neutral, and 5V to run SSD, so you can probably get it from somewhere else in different NUC variants, that don't have SATA power connector. like form the M.2 connector, using some adapters. 

[Tristerin]

2 hours ago, kokosnh said:

25$ is to much to buy just for fun, and it's probably one PCI-e lane, if it's PCI-e 2.0 the max speed will be around 400MB/s (prabably 350 MB/s real)

And ther's almoust no use for is. Like where do you need extra 2 x SATA from M.2 key A ore E wifi card slot.

Only in some small form factor, where you want to have more SATA drives (but you have to have space for them in a PC case)

You can probably do that quite good in NUCs, the one with 2.5" bay, for easy access to SATA power, you can get the power, from the one SATA that is there already, and split it up. 

But well, you only need the neutral, and 5V to run SSD, so you can probably get it from somewhere else in different NUC variants, that don't have SATA power connector. like form the M.2 connector, using some adapters. 

TBH I budget myself for tech.  I actually very much so more enjoy the process than the final product.  So I rarely buy expensive pieces unless updating or upgrading my personal rig.  Everything else is minor purchases to test, run and do it for fun.  

 

As for my MFF (Dell OptiPlex 3040) which is NUC sized there is no room to actually USE this.  Testing, understanding, and being able to speak to it (which will provide me with at least a couple hours of enjoyment) is imho well worth the spend.  First I have to price shop around when I have time, as this piece is quite interesting.

 

Don't get me wrong, sometimes I stare at my pile of PC parts from era's gone by, or useless items I got to fiddle with and regret the spend - that is until someone asks a question that I can answer because I have actually DONE it