M.2 and NVMe expansion cards let you add M.2 SSDs to a computer or server through a PCIe slot or a drive bay. They suit anyone who has run out of M.2 slots on the motherboard or wants NVMe storage in an older system. Our range is small, with models from DIGITUS, IBM and ICY DOCK, plus SAVIO.
How to choose an M.2 or NVMe expansion card
Slot and lane count. A card for an x4 slot carries one NVMe drive at full speed, while x8 and x16 cards usually hold several drives. Check which PCIe slots are free in your machine and how many lanes each one actually has, because a long slot is sometimes wired with fewer lanes than its size suggests.
Number of drives and bifurcation. Multi-drive cards without their own switch chip depend on the motherboard splitting a slot into separate x4 links, known as bifurcation. Many consumer boards do not offer this, or offer it only on certain slots, so read the BIOS section of the motherboard manual before buying a card for two or more drives.
Drive type and length. NVMe drives use the M-key connector, while some M.2 SATA drives use a different key and will not run as NVMe. Most M.2 drives are 2280 (80 mm), but shorter and longer sizes exist, so confirm the card supports the length of the drive you plan to fit.
Cooling. NVMe drives slow down when they get hot under sustained transfers. A card with a heatsink or open airflow helps, and a card placed directly under a graphics card gets very little fresh air.
Bracket and PCIe generation. Small cases and many servers need a low-profile bracket, so check the case before ordering. A drive built for PCIe 4.0 will still work in a PCIe 3.0 slot, but it will run at the slower speed of that slot.
M.2 and NVMe expansion card brands we carry
- DIGITUS: the brand of ASSMANN Electronic, known for network cabling and connectivity accessories used in offices and server rooms.
- ICY DOCK: specialises in hot-swap drive bays and mobile racks, including products for M.2 and U.2 drives.
- IBM: a long-established enterprise server and storage maker, so its parts are typically meant for IBM systems and should be checked against the server's compatibility list.
Also in our range: SAVIO.
Frequently asked questions about M.2 and NVMe expansion cards
Do I need an M.2 NVMe expansion card?
You need one only if the motherboard has no free M.2 slot, or if it lacks a slot that supports NVMe at all. An expansion card turns a spare PCIe slot into an M.2 slot. If your board still has an empty M.2 slot, fit the drive there instead.
Will an NVMe expansion card fit in any PCIe slot?
An NVMe card fits any PCIe slot of the same length or longer, so an x4 card works in an x4, x8 or x16 slot. Speed depends on how many lanes that slot is wired for, not on its physical size. A card in an x1 slot will work only if the slot is open-ended or the card is made for it, and it will be much slower.
Can I boot Windows from an SSD on an expansion card?
Often yes, if the motherboard firmware supports booting from NVMe devices. Most recent UEFI boards do, while older boards may need a BIOS update or may not support it at all. Check the motherboard manufacturer's support page for your model before relying on the card for the system drive.
Does a PCIe 4.0 SSD work on a PCIe 3.0 card or slot?
Yes, PCIe generations are backwards compatible, so the drive will work. It will run at the speed of the slowest link in the chain, which means PCIe 3.0 speeds in a PCIe 3.0 slot. For everyday use the difference is small, but it shows up in large sequential file transfers.
