Do I need am M.2

[Teetech]

I just discovered there is something called An M.2 that sits on your motherboard to make SSDs faster is it necessary to have or optional?

[CookieMaster]

Optional, for a lot of people an SSD is just fine.

 

Although, loading times would be quicker on an m2, but you have to make sure that the read and write is greater than an ssd.

 

It's a lot more money and if you wanted speed you might just be better off getting an pcie based ssd 

[Zando_]

You don't need it. Most of them are still SATA (though some are NVME), and are about the same speed as a normal SSD*. They're just smaller and give your build a cleaner look by not needing the power and SATA cable. 

 

 

*NVME ones are faster, but I don't think there's much of a difference when using it as a boot drive.

[DocSwag]

Just now, CookieMaster said:

Optional, for a lot of people an SSD is just fine.

 

Although, loading times would be quicker on an m2, but you have to make sure that the read and write is greater than an ssd.

 

It's a lot more money and if you wanted speed you might just be better off getting an pcie based ssd 

Not true, boot times and app launch times aren't improved by m.2 SSDs. Normal people don't benefit from m.2, only large reads and writes do (usually only prosumers can benefit from it).

[CookieMaster]

Just now, DocSwag said:

Not true, boot times and app launch times aren't improved by m.2 SSDs. Normal people don't benefit from m.2, only large reads and writes do (usually only prosumers can benefit from it).

Yes, sorry.

[Mira Yurizaki]

M.2 refers to a form factor. Find out if your M.2 supports NVMe, otherwise it's just like SATA (most of the time anyway).

 

If you're looking at NVMe SSDs, for the most part, no, you don't need it. Very few people need an NVMe drive because for most use cases people do, an NVMe drive does not offer appreciably better performance.

[CookieMaster]

Just now, M.Yurizaki said:

M.2 refers to a form factor. Find out if your M.2 supports NVMe, otherwise it's just like SATA (most of the time anyway).

 

If you're looking at NVMe SSDs, for the most part, no, you don't need it. Very few people need an NVMe drive because for most use cases people do, an NVMe drive does not offer appreciably better performance.

Yes well said, I could not get my words out correctly. 

[Enderman]

Are you talking about intel optane?

Because there are many other things that use the M.2 connector and are not meant to "make your SSD faster"

[KuJoe]

M.2 drives are AWESOME! SATA performance and 2 less cables in my case for the same price? Sign me up!

[JJOATz]

For accuracy sake, I do believe what most are calling 'SATA' in comparison to NVMe is called AHCI. Also, IOPS relate to latency, not the bandwidth of a device.

[ARikozuM]

It depends. If you want the convenience of a PnP without the extra cables, go for SATA. If you want something faster, go with NVMe. 

 

I wouldn't suggest M.2 for a small 120GB drive as you'll find yourself upgrading more often than necessary.

[Mira Yurizaki]

7 minutes ago, JJOATz said:

For accuracy sake, I do believe what most are calling 'SATA' in comparison to NVMe is called AHCI. Also, IOPS relate to latency, not the bandwidth of a device.

SATA implies using AHCI since I can't recall a time IDE mode was actually needed in recent years.

[JJOATz]

@M.Yurizaki I know SATA is tied to AHCI, but it's not the same thing. I did say for "accuracy sake".

 

EIDT

Just to be clear, I'm not saying this to be an (insert your choice of word(s)). Just wanted to point out that it's AHCI. If ever asked and one answered SATA, they would most certainly be incorrect.