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NVMe vs SATA SSD: The Two Popular Interfaces Explained
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M.2 is an SSD form factor.
Key points
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NVMe and SATA refer to common interfaces used in SSDs.
- SATA is the older version, previously used in early HDDs and SSDs, while NVMe is the newer, low-latency protocol with a direct PCIe connection.
- M.2 is a form factor for SSDs, often used for ultra-slim laptops and tablets, and is available in both SATA and PCIe SSDs.
SSD terminology can be confusing when you’re just starting out. There are different terms thrown around, including NVMe, SATA, and M.2, which can be difficult to understand. We’ll break down the differences between NVMe, SATA, and M.2 SSDs in detail so you can make an informed decision when purchasing a new SSD.
NVMe vs SATA SSD: The Two Popular Interfaces Explained
When shopping for a new SSD, you’ll likely come across these two terms: NVMe SSD and SATA SSD. But what are they, and what makes them different?
In short, NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) and SATA (Serial ATA) are the interfaces between your SSD and the rest of your computer. SATA came out in 2003 and was instrumental in helping modern hard drives increase their data transfer speeds. SATA was later used in hard drives to communicate between the drive and the rest of the system. As such, there are SATA SSDs and SATA hard drives.
On the other hand, NVMe is a new interface created specifically for SSDs. NVMe SSDs use the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (simply known as PCIe) bus, a general-purpose interface standard found on motherboards for connecting high-speed components like graphics cards and SSDs. PCIe is also used to connect other components like network cards. If you need more details, check out our PCIe explanation.
In the context of storage interfaces, there are two main protocols: AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) and NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express). AHCI is an older protocol designed for use with SATA devices, including early hard drives and SSDs. NVMe, on the other hand, is a newer, more efficient protocol created specifically for SSDs that use the PCIe interface, offering much better performance and lower latency.
NVMe technology offers faster performance and is one of the main reasons why NVMe SSDs are more expensive than their SATA counterparts for the same amount of storage. However, even though NVMe SSDs are faster, there are reasons why you should stick with SATA SSDs rather than jumping straight to the NVMe standard.
Depending on the interface used, you’ll see SSDs labeled either SATA or PCIe. There are different factors to consider when choosing between SATA and PCIe SSDs. As mentioned earlier, PCIe SSDs can use the older AHCI driver or the newer NVMe driver. But if speed is all you care about, go for NVMe over a PCIe SSD with an AHCI driver. For example, Crucial’s T700 PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD offers read speeds of up to 12.4GB/s.
Also keep in mind that maximum transfer speeds vary depending on the PCIe generation. Here's a summary of the differences between NVMe and SATA:
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feature |
In ME |
sata |
|---|---|---|
|
Interface type |
PCIe (Peripheral Component Express) |
Serial ATA (AHCI) protocol |
|
Data transfer speed |
10Gb/s minimum (PCIe 5.0) |
Up to 600MB/s (SATA III) |
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cumin |
Lower latency due to direct PCIe connection |
Higher latency due to AHCI cost |
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Form factors |
Additional M.2, U.2 and PCIe cards |
2.5 inch, 3.5 inch, M.2 (SATA) |
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It costs |
Usually more expensive. |
Generally more affordable. |
|
to request |
Best for high performance tasks |
Suitable for general use |
M.2 is an SSD form factor.
Aside from NVMe and SATA, M.2 is also a popular term in the SSD space. But what is M.2 SSD?
Simply put, an M.2 SSD is an SSD with an M.2 form factor. M.2 is what was previously called Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF).
NVMe SSDs typically use the M.2 form factor, but can also be found in U.2 and as add-on PCIe cards. SATA SSDs are available in the standard 2.5-inch form factor and the smaller, thinner M.2 form factor. Additionally, they may also come in the 3.5-inch form factor, but these are much less common. Most modern SATA SSDs come in the 2.5-inch form factor. You’ll find M.2 SSDs in laptops, tablets, and ultra-thin mini PCs.
M.2 was developed by the SATA International Organization and a group of industry players. It is often referred to as an alternative to Small Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (mSATA). Although mSATA is older, you can still buy SSDs with the interface ready, such as the Leven JMS600 mSATA 512GB SSD.
There are different types of M.2 SSDs, including SATA SSDs, PCIe NVMe SSDs, and PCIe AHCI SSDs. Remember that M.2 drives only provide information about the form factor and don't tell you much about the interface used, which is just as important, if not more so.
You will come across a lot of internal terms when shopping for an SSD. However, don’t let all of these terms confuse you. As detailed above, the main difference between NVMe and SATA SSDs is the interface used – NVMe SSDs use the PCIe interface, while SATA SSDs use the SATA interface.
On the other hand, M.2 is an SSD form factor that is often used to integrate high-performance storage into high-end gaming consoles, ultraportable laptops, and tablets. You can get both SATA and PCIe SSDs in the M.2 form factor.
Most of the time, these terms are combined. You will find someone talking about the new M.2 NVMe SSD or M.2 SATA SSD. Just know that they are talking about the SSD form factor and the interface used.