{"id":1828,"date":"2022-09-23T15:29:27","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T19:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tekie.com\/blog\/?p=1828"},"modified":"2022-09-28T03:13:38","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T07:13:38","slug":"best-nvme-drives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tekie.com\/blog\/hardware\/best-nvme-drives\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an NVMe Drive and which one should I buy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is an NVMe m.2 drive?<\/h2>\n

NVMe stands for \u201cnonvolatile memory express\u201d. NVMe is the next generation of drive available and sits directly in your PC’s motherboard. With the large storage capacities now available in NVMe technology, many users are now utilizing NVMe drives as their primary PC storage and startup disks.<\/p>\n

What type of performance boost can you expect from an NVMe m.2 drive?<\/h2>\n

Utilizing an NVMe drive will noticeably boost the speed of your PC. An NVMe drive will run 3-4 times faster than a SATA SSD, translating into near-instant PC reboots. Faster read and write speeds are an instant upgrade for any PC that can support it. The speed of an NVMe drive go up to 3.9 GB\/second with four PCIe lanes. In comparison, the typical network adapter of a modern desktop PC only supports 1GB\/second. Adding an NVMe drive to your motherboard will ensure your computer is bottlenecked only by the other components and the network.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between a SATA M.2 SSD and an NVMe M.2 SSD?<\/h2>\n

A SATA M.2 SSD will mimic the performance of a typical SATA SSD<\/a>, while an NVMe M.2 SSD will offer much better read\/write rates. If you are genuinely after the performance, you should look to purchase an NVME M.2 SSD. A SATA M.2 SSD will cost less, and most end-users will not know the difference between the two products while shopping.<\/p>\n

The average consumer may have a difficult time distinguishing from an M.2 SATA drive and an NVME M.2 drive. The two drives look almost identical. The NVME m.2 drive has only one slot between the pins, while the m.2 SATA drive has two slots. <\/p>\n

While the two devices may look similar, the performance difference is substantial. If you want the best performance, do not be fooled for the lower cost of an M.2 SSD. Check the pins.<\/p>\n

\"Differences<\/p>\n

What are the different types of m.2 NVMe drives available?<\/h2>\n

The width of an m.2 NVMe drive is always the same, at 22 millimeters. The length of the drive differs. The most common m.2 NVMe size is the 2280 drive, which will fit in most modern desktop and laptop motherboards. If you are using an older laptop model, check the specifications of your motherboard and see which size slot is supported.
\nm.2 NVMe drives come in a few different sizes, including <\/p>\n

30mm (known as 2230)
\n42 mm (known as 2242)
\n60mm (known as 2260)
\n80mm (known as 2280)
\n110mm (known as 22110)<\/p>\n

Which m.2 NVMe drive should I buy?<\/h2>\n

As speed is typically the most important aspect when it comes to the decision to purchase an M.2 NVMe drive, we have ranked our five top picks based on speed.
\nBest NVMe drives<\/strong> ranked by speed:<\/p>\n