M2 SSD
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VP14000 series M.2 NVMe 2280 PCIe 5.0 SSD
Regular price From $262.99 -
Limited Edition M.2 NVMe 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD
Regular price From $90.99 -
Limited Edition M.2 NVMe 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD
Sale price From $90.99 Regular price$139.99 -
XF series M.2 NVMe 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD
Sale price From $117.99 Regular price$125.99
An M.2 SSD is a slim, cable-free solid state drive that plugs straight into a motherboard slot. KingSpec M.2 SSDs cover SATA, PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0, and PCIe 5.0 NVMe in 2230, 2242, and 2280 sizes for desktops, laptops, mini PCs, handhelds, and the PS5.
What Is an M.2 SSD?
M.2, first called Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a card standard from PCI-SIG and SATA-IO. The size code gives width then length in millimeters: a 2280 drive is 22mm wide and 80mm long. M.2 describes the shape, not the speed. The protocol behind it decides performance.
M.2 NVMe vs M.2 SATA SSD
An M.2 SATA drive uses the SATA III link, which tops out near 600MB/s, and usually has a B+M key with two notches. An M.2 NVMe SSD uses PCIe lanes and an M key with one notch, reaching several times that speed. A SATA drive will not be detected in an NVMe-only slot. Our NVMe vs SATA guide covers the details.
| Model | Type / Size | Read / Write (MB/s) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| X500 | PCIe 5.0, 2280 | 14,000 / 13,000 | 1TB to 4TB |
| XG7000 | PCIe 4.0, 2280 | 7,400 / 6,600 | 512GB to 8TB |
| XF 2280 | PCIe 4.0, 2280 | 5,100 / 4,500 | 512GB to 2TB |
| XF 2230 | PCIe 4.0, 2230 | 5,000 / 4,400 | 512GB to 2TB |
| NXM 2242 | PCIe 3.0, 2242 | 3,500 / 3,200 | 128GB to 1TB |
| NE 2280 | PCIe 3.0, 2280 | 3,200 / 2,000 | 128GB to 1TB |
| NT Series | SATA III, 2242 / 2280 | Up to 580 read | 128GB to 2TB |
Speeds are KingSpec rated maximums from official product specs.
M.2 SSD Compatibility: Size, Key, and PCIe Generation
Length
Match the screw post. Desktops mostly use 2280, thin laptops and mini PCs often use 2242, and handhelds like the Steam Deck use 2230.
Interface
Your manual lists the slot as SATA, PCIe NVMe, or both. Buy the type the slot supports.
Generation
PCIe is backward compatible. A Gen4 drive runs in a Gen3 slot at Gen3 speed, about 3,500MB/s.
Best M.2 SSD for Your Device
Gaming PC and PS5
Sony asks for a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe drive rated 5,500MB/s or faster, plus a heatsink. The XG7000 2280 fits that brief up to 8TB. See more PS5 M.2 SSDs.
Gen5 Workstation
The X500 PCIe 5.0 SSD suits large video and AI files on boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot.
Laptop Upgrade
The XF 2280 is a value Gen4 pick. Short slots need an M.2 2242 SSD.
How to Install an M.2 SSD
Back up your data, shut down, and unplug the system. Remove any slot cover or heatsink, insert the drive at a slight angle into the M.2 slot, press it flat, and fasten the screw or latch. In Windows, initialize the new drive in Disk Management, or clone your old drive onto it.
Why Buy Your M.2 SSD From KingSpec
KingSpec has designed and built storage since 2007. Its M.2 lineup spans every PCIe generation plus SATA, uses 3D NAND, and ships direct with a 3-year warranty and free shipping.
M.2 SSD FAQ
Is M.2 the same as NVMe?
No. M.2 is the physical shape. NVMe is a protocol that runs over PCIe. Most M.2 drives are NVMe, but some, like the NT Series, are SATA.
Is an M.2 SSD faster than a regular SSD?
An M.2 NVMe drive is much faster than a 2.5-inch SATA SSD. An M.2 SATA drive runs at the same SATA III speed as a 2.5-inch SATA SSD.
How do I know which M.2 SSD my PC supports?
Check your motherboard or laptop manual for the slot length, the supported interface (SATA, NVMe, or both), and the PCIe generation.
Do M.2 SSDs need a heatsink?
Gen4 and Gen5 drives can throttle under long loads, so use a heatsink if your board or console has room. Read Do M.2 NVMe SSDs Need a Heatsink.
