What SSDs will work best on my MB?

[Fun Guy]

Looking at upgrading my SSD to 500GB so I can get rid of my HDD and get a smaller case.

Question - which kinds of SSD will work on my MB? Meaning, which ports are the fastest (eSATA, M.2, PCIe).

I have heard that NVMe is best, but it doesn't look like I have that with my board.

Here is my board:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97M OC Formula/
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97M OC Formula/
Also, this is what I was looking at for SSDs...

 

[UsandThem]

I have heard that NVMe is best, but it doesn't look like I have that with my board.

The specs in the motherboard link you provided say:

1 x M.2_SSD (NGFF) Socket 3, supports M Key M.2 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s module and M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen2 x2 (10 Gb/s)

So you have a M.2 slot that can use both SATA or NVMe drives (although the NVMe speed is limited to Gen2 x2 instead of Gen3 x4). Here is a link showing the bandwidth differences:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r31882576-SSD-speeds-nvme-on-PCIE-Gen3-x4-vs-Gen2-x2-vs-SATA3

Since you won't be able to take advantage of the fastest NVMe speeds, and if you still want a NVMe drive, your best bet would probably be a drive like the MyDigitalSSD SBX (Gen3 x2) which is still faster than a SATA SSD, or simply buy a modern SATA SSD like the Crucial MX500, Western Digital 3D, 860 EVO, or Intel 545s.

https://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/m...-m.2-pcie-gen3-x2-nvme-ssd-mdnvme80-sbx-0512/

 

[Shmee]

I would recommend that with that build, it may be best just to get an MX500 or equivalent 2.5 inch SATA SSD. I honestly don't think NVMe would be necessary/ideal for you until you upgrade to a new board.

Now, while typing this I notice that the m.2 MX500 SSDs are the same price as the 2.5 inch ones. You used to pay a premium for m.2 SSDs, even if they were just SATA. With this under consideration, MX500 is a great drive, so the question is this: would you rather have a smaller form factor now, with an m.2 drive, OR get a 2.5 inch drive now and get a new NVMe drive later with a new motherboard, while using the 2.5 inch drive as a secondary.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Go cheap. If you want a smaller case, save your money for a new SFF build. (ITX or NUC.)