Side-by-Side Comparison
SSD
M.2 vs. PCIe AIC
Comparing 2 standards across 8 specifications. 8 key differences identified.
Comparing:
M.2
PCIe AIC
M.2 is the dominant SSD form factor today, sized by a code like 2280 (22mm wide, 80mm long). B-key supports SATA or PCIe x2; M-key supports full PCIe x4 NVMe speed; B+M-key dual-notch modules are actually capped at PCIe x2, not the full x4 the two notches might suggest.
PCIe Add-in Card (AIC) SSDs, commonly called HHHL (Half-Height, Half-Length), plug directly into a PCIe expansion slot like a graphics card rather than using M.2 or U.2 connectors -- trading compactness for the far greater power delivery and cooling surface area a full expansion card provides.
Specification Comparison Table
8 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Common Sizes
|
2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 | — |
|
B-Key
|
SATA or PCIe x2 | — |
|
M-Key
|
SATA or full PCIe x4 (NVMe) | — |
|
B+M-Key (dual notch)
|
SATA or PCIe x2 only -- not x4 | — |
|
Introduced
|
November 2013 (as "NGFF") | — |
|
Physical Form Factor
|
— | Half-Height, Half-Length (HHHL) PCIe expansion card |
|
Slot Power Available
|
— | Up to 75W (PCIe x16 slot) |
|
Typical Use
|
— | High-performance enterprise/datacenter and enthusiast drives |