Slot u.2 vs m.2 differences and performance?

After explaining that it is the U.2 format, we return to the fray with a new article in which we explain the most important differences between it and its main rival in the market, the much more common M.2 format, but also It has some disadvantages. Slot U.2 vs M.2, main differences.

Index of contents

U.2 vs M.2, the most important differences between both formats

The first difference is that slot U.2 supports hot swapping and M.2 does not, which means that we can remove an SSD from a U.2 slot and put another one without having to restart the PC, which is not possible do with M.2. Another advantage of U.2 drives is that they can have greater storage capacities than M.2 drives. Since U.2 drives are physically larger than M.2 drives, it is easier for the manufacturer to put more flash storage chips in them.

We recommend reading our article on Best SSDs on the market

M.2 saves you cables, but also has some drawbacks

U.2 units have a chassis, and M.2 units are typically circuit boards (PCBs) and bare chips. This is important as it makes U.2 drives more protected, and its own case can act as a built-in heat sink. The U.2 drive enclosure protects chips and internal circuits from accidental damage caused by scratches, electrical shorts, and electrostatic discharge. The smooth surface of a U.2 unit is also less likely to trap dust, compared to the uneven surface of an M.2 unit.

U.2 drives are connected remotely to the motherboard via a flexible cable, while the M.2 is directly and rigidly connected to the motherboard. This in principle is an advantage for M.2, since it takes up less space and you do not have to manage its cables. Despite this, U.2 drives can be installed anywhere where there is space, while M.2 drives must be installed exactly where the slots are on the motherboard. Since U.2 units can be installed in any of several locations, the user can prioritize locations with the best airflow, easiest access, or most attractive location for the eye. Motherboards often have M.2 slots in positions that conflict with large graphics cards, which would require the user to leave either that M.2 slot or that PCI-Express slot blank.

With U.2, it's easy to route the cable around graphics cards and other components so you can use all U.2 slots without compromising other components. U.2 units can be installed in a location within the box with good direct air flow, such as in a front unit compartment that generally has its own dedicated fans, but M.2 units do not allow flexibility in place where they are installed because they must attach exactly where the motherboard manufacturer has located the M.2 slots.

U.2 units suffer less thermal problems and allow greater capacities

M.2 drives are closer to high heat-generating components such as graphics cards and the processor, making it much easier for them to experience heat issues. While a unit is experiencing thermal stress, which is necessary to protect the unit from damage, it slows down the unit's performance. This means that the unit no longer provides the manufacturer's advertised speed. Some M.2 units can only provide their advertised speeds for short periods of time before thermal constraint slows them down.

Due to the rigid connection of the M.2 units, both the M.2 unit and the connector are at increased risk of accidental damage due to perpendicular force being applied to the protruding M.2 unit, something that can occur when the person's hand meets the already mounted M.2 unit while working inside the PC. Crashing into a flexible U.2 cable is unlikely to cause damage.

Since the U.2 unit is remote to the motherboard, the user can more easily see the surface of their motherboard than if an M.2 unit were installed above the motherboard. This can make it easier to diagnose problems with the motherboard, such as bloated capacitors or blown chips. Rarely, the M.2 drive may cover components that the user may want to access, such as connectors, the BIOS battery, or jumpers, which require the user to remove the M.2 drive before they can access the components. blocked.

M.2 vs U.2

	M.2	U.2
Transfer rate	4000 MB / s	4000 MB / s
Interface	PCI Express x2 and x4	PCI Express x2 and x4
Protocol	NVMe	NVMe
Connection	Direct to the motherboard	With wiring
Format	M.2 2240/2280/22110 card	2.5 inch
Protective housing	Do not	Yes

As we have seen, the U.2 and M.2 formats are very similar, but at the same time they are very different from each other, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages compared to its rival. Which one is your favorite? Do you like U.2 SSDs or M.2s more? We want to know your opinion about slot U.2 vs M.2.

Wikipedia source