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Does It Matter Which M.2 Slot I Use – Answer & FAQ

    ✅ Fact Checked
    Updated on October 6, 2022
    John Chad, Bachelor Computer Science Degree & Computer Engineering.
    Written by
    John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
    Russel Collins
    Fact Checked by
    Russel Collins
    John is a certified IT & Computer Engineer with a Bachelors Degree. He has worked for a International Insurance Company in the IT department before deciding to become a full time blogger to help his readers. Holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

    M. 2 refers to an SSD form factor that looks like a stick of chewing gum. Its small and slim size makes it ideal for all kinds of computers, desktops, laptops, notebooks, NUCs, and ultrabooks. They take up less space than regular SSDs or hard drives and they can hold up to 2TB in capacity. There are two specific M.2 SSDs available, including SATA and NVMe-based. They differ in storage technology, and each have their own pros and cons, depending on your requirements and budget.

    Does It Matter What Slot I Put My M.2 In?

    If you’re using M.2 NVMe drives, you’ll want to prioritize using slots that support those NVMe speeds. Your choice of the slot with M.2 SATA drives isn’t really important as long as you’re aware of any potential SATA Connectors being disabled by their use.

    Are Both M.2 Slots The Same?

    In most cases, not all motherboards support both types; it depends on the motherboard’s age. The m.2 slots are compatible with both SATA and NVME, but not at all speeds, as shown on your board. This means that the top slot will likely support PCIe 4 and 3 while the bottom slot only supports PCIe 3. This depends a lot on the motherboard though.

    Which Is Faster M.2 SATA Or Nvme?

    In comparison to SATA SSDs that can only handle 600 MB/s, NVMe drives can usually achieve a sustained read-write speed of-5 GB/s. Since NVMe SSDs can reach higher speeds than SATA SSDs like M.2 drives, it makes them ideal for gaming or high-resolution video editing.