SSD - M.2 or 2.5"

jmarcum

Hi Everybody

Recently rebuilt a desktop (or built a new one).

I put the following CPU and MB:

-- Intel - Core i5-10600K

-- ASUS - B560-PLUS Prime Intel LGA 1200 ATX Motherboard

I'm trying to decide on a SSD to put in (probably 1TB). As far as I know the MB will support the M.2 SSD. I'm trying to decide which format to choose. The M.2 is cool because of no cabling. But is there any benefit beyond that? I know there are a couple of M.2 (pcie and sata????) - I'm not sure which one my board supports yet.

Also curious what brands you suggest.

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions/advice.

Jeff

Ian

Greetings. I would recommend a M.2 SSD over the 2.5", but either is just fine.

With an m.2, you don't have to worry about cable management and the speed of M.2's are typically faster than 2.5"/SATA SSDs. There isn't a specific m.2 or 2.5" SSD you'd need, any brand/model should work just fine!  

Something like a https://www.microcenter.com/product/627018/inland-platinum-1tb-ssd-nvme-pcie-gen-30x4-m2-2280-3d-nand-internal-solid-state-drive,-read-write-speed-up-to-3,400-mbps-and-1,900-mbps,-pcie-express- would work great for your PC! Also if you happen to run into an issue with this Island drive within the 6 year warranty you can bring it back to a Micro Center store for assistance/replacement under warranty.

jmarcum

Thanks Ian. I wasn't sure about the Inland drives. I assumed (maybe wrongfully) that Inland was a lower end brand so was concerned about quality.

magarity

Oh man, the speed difference between 2.5 SSD and M.2 really is just crazy. I have a Samsung 980 in a PCIe 4 and its amazing.

jmarcum

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/36008#Comment_36008

Wish I could get a PCIe 4 version. I guess I don't have the right CPU to support it. Thanks for the input

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/36002#Comment_36002

You shouldn't have any issues with that, the drives are very well reviewed and speeds are comparable to other m.2 brands and models.

magarity

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/36012#Comment_36012

All PCI-e stuff is backwards compatible, video cards and M.2 drives both. If there's a sale on a 4 and your system only supports up to 3, get it anyway because it will still work and can come along to some future system. For example you will have a hard time even finding a PCIe 3 graphics card unless you get a horribly cheap one so you'll probably end up with a 4 in your system even if it doesn't run at 100% speed. It's all OK.

jmarcum

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/36035#Comment_36035

Perfect! I wasn't sure about that. Thanks!