A content creator wants to shorten video-editing and export times by upgrading the storage in a custom-built PC. The motherboard provides one unlabeled M.2 slot. To achieve the highest possible data-transfer speed from this slot, which installation choice is most advisable?
Install an M-key M.2 NVMe solid-state drive that uses PCIe x4 for maximum bandwidth.
Install a B-key M.2 NVMe solid-state drive, relying on two PCIe lanes for potential compatibility.
Install an mSATA solid-state drive in the slot by using an adapter to leverage PCIe lanes.
Install a non-NVMe (SATA) M.2 solid-state drive that uses the SATA protocol for data transfer.
An M-keyed M.2 NVMe SSD connects through up to four PCIe lanes, delivering several gigabytes per second of throughput-far more than the ~600 MB/s limit of SATA-based M.2 drives or the PCIe x2 bandwidth available to B-key devices. Installing an M-key NVMe drive therefore provides the greatest potential performance. An mSATA drive cannot be used in an M.2 slot even with an adapter, and a non-NVMe (AHCI/SATA) M.2 drive would still operate at SATA speeds. B-key or B+M-key NVMe drives run over only two PCIe lanes, offering about half the bandwidth of a full M-key device.
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