I'm trying to figure out how to mount my two NVMe SSDs (M key) since I've already filled up the slots on my motherboard. My PC case has mounting holes for two 2.5" SATA SSDs, but I can't find any NVMe enclosures that have USB-C output and come with mounting holes similar to a 2.5" SSD. I assumed this setup might be rare, but I'm coming up short in my search. Just a heads-up, I only have one PCIe lane available, which I need for my GPU, and I plan to run the SSDs out of the case and connect them to the motherboard's USB ports.
3 Answers
It sounds like you're overcomplicating things a bit. You can get a PCIe NVMe adapter card that fits right into a slot on your motherboard. They’re pretty affordable, around $20, and are a straightforward solution without all the extra routing you’re thinking about.
M.2 NVMe drives use the PCIe protocol, and there are plenty of M.2 to PCIe adapter cards available. Just keep in mind that M.2 to SATA adapters only work with M.2 SATA drives—you can’t use them with NVMe drives. If you really need an external option, I’d recommend looking for a USB-C enclosure for your NVMe drives.
I get what you're saying about needing 2.5" mounting holes, but unfortunately, those types of internal USB enclosures are pretty uncommon. By going with a good external USB-C enclosure, you'll avoid losing the speed benefits of your NVMe drives. It's probably your best bet for performance!
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload