m.2 storage devices?

[AndreRio]

1st what is a m.2 ssd exactly? Is it like a normal ssd or is it something like a ssd cache memory device???
2nd I just purchased a z97 mobo (the MSI z97m gaming mobo) it comes with the m.2 storage interface. Does this mean I can now buy a m.2 ssd and install on my new mobo, I am kind of confused?

 

[cashkennedy]

There isn't room in tiny laptops (think mackbook air) for a massive ssd (2.5" drive , im being sarcastic about them being massive). SSD's have been limited by SATA 6.0gb/s speeds since practically the day motherboards started arriving with sata 6.0gb/s. m.2 helps fix both of these problems. There was a really good article on anandtech this week about these drives.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8006/samsung-ssd-xp941-review-the-pcie-era-is-here

Assuming msi has run pcie lanes to the m.2 port and you can purchase a pcie ssd (like the Samsung in the article above), then you will get much faster sequential speeds then any SATA ssd. There are also traditional m.2 devices that just use SATA connections in the slot, these perform fine but are no better then a 2.5" sata ssd.

m.2 drives can be used for a cache, but that's not their primary use. And drives can be as large as 512mb that can attach to the m.2 slot.

 

[AndreRio]

Thanks