Icy Dock Introduces the ToughArmor MB840M2P-B: Hot-Swap for NVMe Drives

[Raevenlord]

Icy Dock has introduced their new ToughArmor MB840M2P-B, a PCIe adapter that allows you to connect a single NVMe drive through an open PCIe port. To do so, it makes use of 4 PCIe 3.0 lanes, as per the NVMe protocol, but that's not its call to fame, however practical that may be in older systems without any M.2 form-factor support. Rather, the ability to hot swap NVMe storage drives is. Not all drives support such a feature: you'll have to check specific drive models that allow you to remove them from operation even whilst your PC is turned on.

The ToughArmor accessory from Icy Dock features a tool-less design meant to make it easier and faster for you to hot-swap your drives (30 mm to 110 mm in length), and the chassis is made of aluminium and features an integrated thermal pad to improve heat dissipation of your M.2 SSD, thus alleviating any throttling issues. A header allows you to connect it to your PC's HDD activity gauge. It's a pretty flexible design, featuring both full-height and low-profile PCIe expansion slot covers, and as other PCIe add-in cards, it can slot in any PCIe slot from the lowest-supported links (4 lanes) all the way to a 16-lane connector. No pricing information was available at time of writing.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Get me a NAS device with this and then we will talk.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

The only issue is. this is only accessible from the back of the chassis so its not really convenient for a hot-swap if you have your PC or server backed up against a wall.

If i have to pull the entire machine out to have access to it. it means absolutely nothing to me. I would rather save the money and get the PCi-Ex X4 speed riser cards and call it a day.

big brain moments.

 

[Nioktefe]

The only issue is. this is only accessible from the back of the chassis so its not really convenient for a hot-swap if you have your PC or server backed up against a wall.

If i have to pull the entire machine out to have access to it. it means absolutely nothing to me. I would rather save the money and get the PCi-Ex X4 speed riser cards and call it a day.

big brain moments.

There's still U.2 which is designed for that purpose

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

The only issue is. this is only accessible from the back of the chassis so its not really convenient for a hot-swap if you have your PC or server backed up against a wall.

If i have to pull the entire machine out to have access to it. it means absolutely nothing to me. I would rather save the money and get the PCi-Ex X4 speed riser cards and call it a day.

big brain moments.

How is pulling the computer away from the wall worse than having to open the case up? You just sound like one of those people who LIKE having something to complain about

 

[Caring1]

Make a hot swap bay for front drive bays and it will sell better.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

How is pulling the computer away from the wall worse than having to open the case up? You just sound like one of those people who LIKE having something to complain about

hot swap bays are supposed to be about convenience. Also, how about people who use rack mount servers and have to pull the entire rack away from the wall or have their servers located in super cramped places like under the stairs?

If i have to go through the trouble of pulling a PC or rackmount unit away from the wall to pull hard drives then i gonna be powering the system down anyway and that kind of defeats part of the purpose of hot-swap.

I dont face my servers or PCs back-to-front so honestly this product isnt for me.

But of course. keep thinking that your opinion is right and everyone elses is wrong.

 

[CheapMeat]

hot swap bays are supposed to be about convenience. Also, how about people who use rack mount servers and have to pull the entire rack away from the wall or have their servers located in super cramped places like under the stairs?

If i have to go through the trouble of pulling a PC or rackmount unit away from the wall to pull hard drives then i gonna be powering the system down anyway and that kind of defeats part of the purpose of hot-swap.

I dont face my servers or PCs back-to-front so honestly this product isnt for me.

But of course. keep thinking that your opinion is right and everyone elses is wrong.

Oh gawd, the hardware community can be so insufferable. Those options already exist!!!!!!! Are you living in a damn cave??? There are plenty of front bay hotswap devices available. Hell, have you EVER checked out IcyDocks own offerings???? They have so many available. This is just another option, since PCI slot hotswap is rare and they're filling a gap in their product lines. I swear, PC hardware enthusiasts have become incredibly whiny and annoying. Every single thing needs to be complained about. The greatest thing about this hobby and platform is OPTIONS but give people more of it and what do they do? COMPLAIN. Don't have a use for it? Don't buy it. That's it. Has the community always been like this? It's awful.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Oh gawd, the hardware community can be so insufferable. Those options already exist!!!!!!! Are you living in a damn cave??? There are plenty of front bay hotswap devices available. Hell, have you EVER checked out IcyDocks own offerings???? They have so many available. This is just another option, since PCI slot hotswap is rare and they're filling a gap in their product lines. I swear, PC hardware enthusiasts have become incredibly whiny and annoying. Every single thing needs to be complained about. The greatest thing about this hobby and platform is OPTIONS but give people more of it and what do they do? COMPLAIN. Don't have a use for it? Don't buy it. That's it. Has the community always been like this? It's awful.

Notice i never said anything about telling them to withdraw it from sale or not selling it at all. I am aware that there are other options. Im just stating that this might not be useful for everyone because for stated reasons.

Hell, have you EVER checked out IcyDocks own offerings????

In fact yes i have. I have purchased & used their external USB enclosures and run a 4x2.5 in a 5.25 bay hot swap bay

I swear, PC hardware enthusiasts have become incredibly whiny and annoying. Every single thing needs to be complained about. The greatest thing about this hobby and platform is OPTIONS but give people more of it and what do they do? COMPLAIN.

And being all shouty, complainy and dramatiky at somebodies opinion doesnt make you any less whiny and annoying? pot calling kettle black. I wasnt voicing a complaint. I was making an observation