Silicon Power Unveils Its First M.2 PCIe 2230 E-Key SSD

[Nomad76]

Silicon Power (SP) is excited to announce the launch of its first M.2 PCIe 2230 E-Key SSD, the MEM3K0E, further solidifying its commitment to delivering innovative and versatile solutions for the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing applications. With the introduction of this compact form factor, the company provides developers with more options to optimize system configurations while empowering next-generation AI technologies.

An Optimized Cache and Buffer Solution
Compliant to the PCIe 3.1 standard and NVMe 1.4 protocol, the MEM3K0E is specifically designed for devices equipped with E-Key slots, making it an ideal cache and buffer storage solution to complement M-Key slot primary drives. Its chief role is to maintain stable system performance by balancing the workload during resource-intensive tasks, which it achieves with features such as a thermal throttling function and built-in voltage detector. With storage capacity options of 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB, the MEM3K0E offers scalability for various applications, ranging from compact embedded systems to high-performance computing environments.



Empowering AI Innovation with Reliability
With robust support for AI software platforms, the MEM3K0E enables faster data access and processing, critical for real-time decision-making in AI-driven systems; power shielding firmware architecture and dynamic SLC caching technology ensure reliability of these tasks. Its compatibility with a wide range of devices, including those used in edge computing and robotics, makes it a valuable addition for industries exploring automation and smart technologies. By empowering developers to create more efficient and reliable AI systems, Silicon Power is paving the way for advancements in fields like autonomous robotics, smart manufacturing, and IoT.

The launch of the MEM3K0E underscores Silicon Power's dedication to pushing technological boundaries and addressing emerging industry needs. For developers and system integrators looking to optimize performance without compromising on size or efficiency, the MEM3K0E is a practical and reliable solution.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Wirko]

So, alright, this little SSD delivers innovative and versatile solutions for the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing applications, enables faster data access and processing, critical for real-time decision-making in AI-driven systems, underscores Silicon Power's dedication to pushing technological boundaries and addressing emerging industry needs. I need a glass of water now. Raise your hands if you're still following. And it does all of that single-handedly (quite literally), with a PCIe 3 x1 interface. It could have two lanes but then it would gain conscience.

 

[yfn_ratchet]

It's cute, and this is a really nice way of stuffing extra storage in some more limited mini-PC/thin client systems. Been wishing more stuff like this existed for a while.

 

[Chaitanya]

It's cute, and this is a really nice way of stuffing extra storage in some more limited mini-PC/thin client systems. Been wishing more stuff like this existed for a while.

Not just mini PC/Thin clients but also a lot of IoT/Edge computing boards that have E key slot for NICs and even laptops where these SSDs can be a useful addition.

 

[TheLostSwede]

So, alright, this little SSD delivers innovative and versatile solutions for the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing applications, enables faster data access and processing, critical for real-time decision-making in AI-driven systems, underscores Silicon Power's dedication to pushing technological boundaries and addressing emerging industry needs. Raise your hands if you're still following. And it does all of that single-handedly (quite literally), with a PCIe 3 x1 interface. It could have two lanes but then it would gain conscience.

M.2 A/E slots only support a single PCIe lane...

 

[LabRat 891]

M.2 A/E slots only support a single PCIe lane...

Most*
IIRC, E key "supports" PCIe x2/2x1 but I've yet to see both lanes utilized in a single card for a single on-PCB device.

Very handy lil SSD; esp. for 'edge computing' and upgrading/repurposing industrial and appliance PCs.

 

[Wirko]

IIRC, E key "supports" PCIe x2/2x1 but I've yet to see both lanes utilized in a single card for a single on-PCB device.

What does 2x1 mean here? I also see "2 of PCIe ×1" on Wikipedia. The diagram you posted suggests it's meant for two separate links like SSD + Wi-fi, with separate clock/handshake signals, but not for a single dual-lane link.

Also, after checking the pinouts here, it appears that E+M keying for a single-lane PCIe link should be possible ... **almost**. In that regard, the M.2 standard is really screwed up - same signals are on different locations if you compare E and M.

 

[Ferrum Master]

different locations if you compare E and M.

But E and M are different by design. The problem is, NGFF screwed up with naming they had to rename it if we throw in CNVio also then we can proudly say Intel F* you, WIFI7 BE compatibility is even more worse, they gimped silently AMD there again. So they had to fit USB3, SATA and PCIe lanes, the sad part is the oversized M.2 that eat a lot of current and some even violated the power package design, this needed to be split, there is not enough pins.

My idea would be, why on earth they don't make them dual slot with slot pins on both sides? For these particular 2230 designs. You can figure out the screw mount with plastic clips, make them shorter and stack like a shoe on the unneeded edge. But hey, who I am to share free suggestions.

My experience... I am using adapters to use the leftover PCIe3 lane in the AE even on my X570 mobo, AMD boards can be capricious with that slot and NVMe drive compatibility, they may drop off on boot etc, I just received realtek RT8126 m.2 NIC, and it works pretty fine, I was surprised that it worked fine in my router and has precompiled RSS capable driver, so it works fine even on non x86 softrouter, didn't have to do my own OpenWRT compile. But storage in general in that slot can malfunction, maybe some BIOS quirks are needed more is most probable.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Most*
IIRC, E key "supports" PCIe x2/2x1 but I've yet to see both lanes utilized in a single card for a single on-PCB device.

Ok, the spec allows for two lanes, but I have never seen it implemented in a single host or device.

Also, after checking the pinouts here, it appears that E+M keying for a single-lane PCIe link should be possible ... **almost**. In that regard, the M.2 standard is really screwed up - same signals are on different locations if you compare E and M.

M.2 is either A/E or B/M, no other types can be mixed.
They're intended for different devices, hence the same signals to different pins, since you can't physically insert an A/E drive in a B/M slot and vice versa.