Which M.2 connectors support SSDs?

[jsyjr]

I have an early TO operating strictly as a router. Its antennae and two WiFi cards have been removed.

Given this setup, which M.2 connectors can support SSD storage? And must any such SSDs be mSATA, or is NVMe supported? If the latter, what PCIe generation and how many lanes?

[peci1]

NVMe requires just PCIe connection (and some driver support). All three ports are mPCIe, which is always 1-lane PCIe. In this case, I think PCIe 3.0. So all should support NVMe drives. In addition, the port closest to CPU can also handle mSATA disks.

You can of course plug in PCIe 4.0 drives, they will just be slower. Regarding number of lanes, all reasonable drives should work on 1 lane even though they are designed for more. But there might be some more quirky drives.

[j_s]

@peci1

NVMe requires just PCIe connection (and some driver support). All three ports are mPCIe, which is always 1-lane PCIe. In this case, I think PCIe 3.0. So all should support NVMe drives.

Is a physical adapter required?

Or does an NVMe drive plug directly into the Omnia port?

[peci1]

You will need an mPCIe -M.2 adapter. Also pay attention to the length of the drive. mPCIe is short. With the adapter, it’s usually not a problem, but just one thing to check.

Also check the key of the M.2 port on the adapter. NVMe drives usually need B or B+M keys.

[michalko58]

You can try like me:

Is there fully working mpcie to m.2 sata adapter for Omnia SSD?

Well, some update: I have bought two reductions and one “extender” Reduction 1 - has arrived and its working Reduction 2 - has not arrived yet, but should work Extender - has arrived and is working with msata drive, what is strange, because I thought that this ssd is broken… Now my reForis looks like this: [obrázok] I have bought PATRIOT P400 Lite/ 2TB/ SSD/ M.2 NVMe, which is working fine and seems to be cool during my use case (srv with LXC with jdownloader). Althought copying speed vi…

[suva]

Can anybody around who have personal experience with running one or more SSDs in Omnia please describe it? Following information could be helpful IMHO:

1. what disk interface (SATA, mSATA, M.2, mPCIe) are you using
2. what adapter are you using, if any (possibly with a seller link, like @michalko58 posted, thanks!)
3. in which slot is your disk or adapter in (outermost, middle, innermost - closest to CPU)
4. which other internal disks are you running and how, if any
5. what length/form factor of the internal disk(s) are you using (30, 42, 60, 80 mm?)
6. did you have issues to overcome (like disk not detected, wrong disk detected, difficulties to install disk/adapter mechanically, cooling, performance, power supply, etc.)

I am myself still running 2 HDDs in my Omnia using the mPCIe SATA controller (no issues with it so far) and preparing a switch to SSDs.

Thanks for any hints!

[vcunat]

@suva

I am myself still running 2 HDDs in my Omnia using the mPCIe SATA controller (no issues with it so far) and preparing a switch to SSDs.

If you have that already, I’d personally consider SATA SSDs for this. (I don’t expect you need super-fast performance here.)

[michalko58]

It depends on, how much capacity do you want and how much wifi cards do you need and how much money do you want to spend. Theoretically, you can have 2x internal m.2 SSDs in Omnia mPCIE slots + 2x 2,5" SSD in omnia NAS perk - each of them 8+TB (I dont know if there is some limit for the capacity).

In Omnia mPCIE slots, there should be M.2 NVME disks (with appropriate reduction), because mSata disk is supported only in one of them (the closest to the CPU if I can remember) + mSata largest capacity is only 2TB and only by some not known brands with questionable quality. Price of m.2 SSDs is better too.
In NAS perk, only SATA is supported.

You can use 2280 disk, although they will be tilted a little bit, but still working like that. The only problem is the cooler on some of the SSDs - it can be too high. but you are free to cut some orrifice into the Omnia cover or use that extender with cable and stick the disk right to the Omnia cover.

Theoretically there is reduction from m.2 to 2,5" Sata, so you can place disks into NAS perk.

[suva]

I’m not aiming for maximum capacity, but rather some mix of capacity, speed and reliability/robustness within a budget. I will certainly keep SATA for some time and am considering adding one more disk into an mPCIe (yes, I’ve got one available).

Since most of M.2 SSDs are 2280, I was asking about experience with physical installation and cooling (and the adapters/reductions themselves, too).

Price of m.2 SSDs is better too.

Can you give a link? My quick check says that all of SATA 2,5", SATA M.2 and PCIe M.2 disks are priced very much the same, only the SATA M.2 market seems to be diminishing. However, I probably want to avoid SATA M.2 anyway, as there is unnecessary added complexity (PCIe/NVMe ↔ SATA translation). As far as I understand it, M.2 ↔ mPCIe adapters are simpler.

In NAS perk, only SATA is supported.

Sure, that would work with the SATA 2,5" option.

Do all the adapters that you mentioned in your earlier post work well?

[michalko58]

@suva

Can you give a link?

Give link to what? Prices are changing fast, so you have to choose yourself. I am satisfied with that Patriot SSD, but it is discontinued or sold out for now in my area.

@suva

Do all the adapters that you mentioned in your earlier post work well?

All adapters from my previous post were working. I am using only one of them - without any error so far.

My advice:
Buy some adapter and during waiting for delivery choose some SSD according your needs. Focus on consumption (due to heating) and durability (TBW). Powerful SSD is waste of money, if it has to be put into Omnia, you will not see any difference according to less powerful SSD.