It Looks Like PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs Require Bigger M.2 Slots
M.2 NVMe SSDs already run incredibly fast, but the even faster next-generation PCIe 5.0 drives look likely to need bigger M.2 slots in order to cope.
The M.2 drives we are all used to use the 2280 form factor. That simply means they are 22mm wide and 80mm long. However, many other M.2 form factors already exist, with the widths ranging from 12mm up to 30mm, and lengths from 16mm up to 110mm. For PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 SSDs, the 25110 (25-by-110mm) form factor could become the new norm.
As Techpowerup reports(Opens in a new window), the first sign we have of bigger M.2 drives on the horizon comes from Gigabyte. The company's yet-to-be-released X670 and X670E motherboards both include M.2 slots that support the larger 25110 form factor. Space on a motherboard is at a premium, so a manufacturer wouldn't set aside more space for M.2 slots unless completely necessary.
With PCIe 5.0 drives expected to achieve data transfer speeds of 14,000MB/s or more, inevitably they are going to produce a lot more heat. Bigger M.2 SSDs will allow for additional cooling in order to cope, and probably some novel solutions being employed for the highest performing drives.
It's certainly something to keep in mind when deciding on your next desktop PC upgrade. Selecting a new motherboard with support for 25110 M.2 SSDs would be a very wise decision, especially considering 2280 SSDs will still be compatible with the slots.
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