![\"U.2](\"https:\/\/velocitymicro.com\/images\/upload\/ssd-vs-blog-banner.jpg\")
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In previous posts, we\u2019ve covered the difference between certain storage interfaces like SATA, M.2, and NVMe.<\/a> With the continued proliferation of U.2 on higher end motherboards and newer chipsets, the time has come to compare M.2 vs U.2 as well \u2013 how are they same, different, and which is best for you?<\/p>\n M.2 is often used to describe both the SSD form factor and the connection that SSD uses to connect to the motherboard. M.2 drives are small \u2013 about the size of a 5-piece pack of gum and can come in SATA versions like the Crucial MX500 and NVMe versions like the Samsung 980 Pro.<\/p>\n U.2 is another SSD form factor once relegated exclusively to high end workstations and server motherboards but has become more mainstream with recently released chipsets. U.2 drives use<\/p>\n a similar but unique motherboard connection to M.2 but are available in 2.5\u201d form factors like most SATA SSD drives. They share a lot of the same performance characteristics as M.2 as we\u2019ll discuss shortly, but are not interchangeable.<\/p>\n Even though they use unique port types, both NVMe M.2 and U.2 use the PCIe bus with x4 lanes to connect electrically to the PC. This means both have the same potential bandwidth that interface allows \u2013 32 GB\/s for PCIe 3.0. So though there may be some performance gaps from model to model when comparing M.2 and U.2, both types of drive will be in the same range due to a lack of limitation from the bus like a SATA drive will have.<\/p>\n That answer depends on you. For most users with regular storage needs of 2TB or less, an M.2 NVMe like the Samsung 980 Series is fast, widely available, and the best choice. But for users in need of more high storage in either a single drive or RAID array, the scalability of U.2 is likely appealing, assuming the motherboard supports them.<\/p>\n Still confused? Give our sales team a call at 804-419-0900 x1 for a consultative review of your storage needs and assistance putting together the perfect custom desktop<\/a> or workstation PC<\/a> for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In previous posts, we\u2019ve covered the difference between certain storage interfaces like SATA, M.2, and NVMe. With the continued proliferation…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2344,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/velocitymicro.com\/images\/upload\/ssd-vs-blog-banner.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"M.2 vs U.2","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hardware"],"yoast_head":"\r\nWhat is M.2?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"U.2](\"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/m2_ssd_samsung-1024x614-300x180.jpg\")
What is U.2?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/U.2-300x174.jpg\")
M.2 vs U.2 \u2013 How are they the same?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
M.2 vs U.2 \u2013 How are they different?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/U.2-Port-300x199.jpg\")
Motherboard connection<\/strong> \u2013 Even though both M.2 and U.2 communicate to your motherboard via the PCIe bus, the port they use to physically connect to the motherboard is different. While M.2 drives are placed directly on the board, U.2 connects using a cable that looks like a double decker SATA. The drive itself sits in the hard drive cage with it\u2019s other 2.5\u201d brethren. Because they use less physical space motherboard manufacturers can generally include more U.2 ports than M.2.<\/li>\nWhich is best?<\/strong><\/h2>\n