Solid state storage drives are an essential part of setting up a new computer. It brings a lot, mainly in terms of performance, but also in energy efficiency. But, Why don’t we see M.2 format SSDs that have more than 4TB capacity?
The SATA interface has been set aside in favor of the new connectivity based on the PCIe interface. The advantage is obvious: much higher read and write speeds. But, the current design of the M.2 connector has serious deficiencies and supposes important limitations to the capacities of these storage units.
The wall of 4 TB capacity
First of all, we want to make it clear that in the market EXIST units 8TB M.2 SSD capacity. Corsair has a couple of units, PNY has a unit, and Sabrent also has a unit with these capabilities. But, it’s a far cry from the vast array of 8TB hard drives on offer.
There are many technical reasons that prevent easily pass that 4TB barrier. The first is the number of bits per cell and the number of layers of NAND Flash chips. Another reason is that it is not feasible to install memory chips at the bottom of M.2 SSDs, since heat cannot be dissipated well.
One of the limitations is established by the standardization of the 2280 format, which sets a length of 80mm. There is the standard 22110, which sets a length for M.2 SSDs to be limited to 110mm. Technically, I could house a second NAND Flash memory chip in unity. Here comes an additional factor and it is the generation of heat.
There are several ways to “break” this technical limitation using this same connector. The option would be to change the position of the connector forming a 90ยบ angle with respect to the base plate. This would allow that part of the unused storage units to be used. Would this system have a problem technician and is the drive anchorbut otherwise.
Without a doubt, the simplest solution of all to increase capacity is imitate the DIMM connector of RAM memories. Developing a mounting system similar to that of RAM memory could give a brutal game. We could have Larger M.2 SSD and break the 4TB barrier.
We need more capacity and better prices, not more heat
A year or so ago, the M.2 PCIe SSDs were announced, which would arrive between September and December 2022. We are already in 2023 and it is still impossible (or practically) to find units based on this interface. Manufacturers have found that the heat generated is brutal and active heatsinks are required.
Actually, we don’t need 12 GB/s of data transfer for daily use at all. PCIe 4.0 transfer speeds are already excellent, it would be interesting to work on alternatives to increase capacity. It is not so much to compete with HDDs, which I consider to be such an absurd war, but to improve the offer for users.
We can find four 8 TB units, but they are worth more than 1,000 euros, absurd prices and off the market. The problem is that there is no offer, but if the offer were to increase, the prices would sink and at the same time, it would drag down the rest of the capacities. In this scenario, the door opens to units of 1 TB for 50 euros and 2 TB for about 100 euros. Of course, all this is based on the premise of modifying the current M.2 interface, which generates notable and easily correctable limitations.
