Question M.2 A+E Key Socket

[Erik343]

Can you plug an E or A key M.2 device into an A+E key socket, or an E+A key M.2 into that A+E key socket only?

I don’t understand how a socket can accept both an A key and an E key at the same time?

I was trying to find a diagram of this (A+E key socket), but I failed to find anything…

Thanks

 

[Tech Junky]

It depends on the mobo as to which key is available for use.

E = mini pcie
A = current wifi / WWAN

So, a little more info can help decode what will work for what you want to run.

 

[Erik343]

I have this card in my laptop:

https://fccid.io/PD9AX203NG/External-Photos/External-Photos-5101334.pdf

I might upgrade to a Intel BE200

Both are E keys.

But, I was wondering if I have an E socket only or an E+A socket in my new laptop? My new laptop arrives tomorrow and I have not opened it yet.

I want to know if I can buy an A card also and not just an E card?

 

[Tech Junky]

I might have the types wrong above. IIRC the change or addition of one of the keys is due to Intel creating CNVIO cards which rely on the CPU to perform more of the functions for cards like AX211 / AX411 while they may fit traditional PCs they won't work w/o the CPU that provides the core functions that were removed from the card itself.

Anyway... if your OE card is E then an E should work fine. Now, if the laptop is AMD based then you could / should look beyond Intel options as they tend to sometimes have gremlins to deal with.

I've not see the AX203....I use a WCN7850/QCNCM865 and it's working in both an AMD and Intel based system. Not as cheap as the Intel offering but, also not having to deal with the hobbled performance until Intel unlocks things in the drivers being deployed. MSI was having a sale on them not long ago for $40/ea w/ a PC adapter / antenna kit but I picked mine up on AE before they got popular for ~$35/ea. My use / plans for them though are beyond just client use though.

M.2 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Looks like the CNVIO = E key options

IIRC most cards these days though have A+E cutouts to work in either setup as both support common functions for WIFI / WWAN it's just going to take while to phase out A sockets.

 

[Erik343]

My laptop is a Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7
21MS006BUS

It has a 12 core Intel processor.

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkBook/ThinkBook_16_G7_IML/ThinkBook_16_G7_IML_Spec.pdf

I also was wondering if there was such thing as an A+E socket? I know there is a key!

Any ways, after I order and receive my system recovery disk I can open my computer up. I can then take a photo of the socket for you. The disk will arrive in a week…

I just ordered the Intel BE200 wireless adapter on Amazon. I will upload a photo of my socket in one week.

 

[Tech Junky]

It has a 12 core Intel processor.

Well, there's 2 models with 12 core but, they both only have 2 P cores which is concerning if you plan on doin anything more than office stuff with it.

Anyway for wifi it's going to be E keyed for CNVIO cards at a reduced cost / CPU offload as mentioned prior. The sockets are either A or E not both though as the "key" would interfere with the other type of card due to the cutout needed to be inserted.

So, if you weren't going BE I would go top end AX411 which offers everything besides 320mhz bandwidth which is the difference BE provides on 6ghz. Even so I was still able to get 1.7gbps out of it with 160mhz and the DCT which adds another 300mbps by combining the 2 bands together. IIRC it was under $20/ea for the cards.

It only really makes a difference mostly for LAN transfers as most don't have a WAN fast enough and/or a router that does full speed as well. Since the BE single client options max out around 5gbps the best pairing I've seen would be the ECW526 @ $250 which gives you full speeds with a 10GE port on it.

 

[Erik343]

Thanks for the info. I’m not using my laptop for gaming. Just online poker.