Raspberry Pi Launches NVMe M.2 SSDs and Ready-to-Use SSD Kits

[Nomad76]

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has launched new branded M.2 2230 NVMe SSDs and complete storage kits designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi 5. The drives are available in two capacities: a 256 GB version that's shipping now in the US, and a 512 GB version available for pre-order with expected delivery in late November. Performance vary between models, the 256 GB drive delivers 40,000 IOPS for 4 KB random reads and 70,000 IOPS for random writes. The larger 512 GB version offers 50,000 IOPS for random reads and 90,000 IOPS for random writes.

While initially marketed as PCIe Gen 2 devices, recent product listings indicate Gen 3 compatibility, though this specification awaits official confirmation from Raspberry Pi. Users have reported achieving Gen 3 speeds through raspi-config adjustments. The drives are competitively priced, with the 256 GB model priced at $30 and the 512 GB model priced at $45 (the 512 GB SSD product image discloses the manufacturer which is Biwin). These, including the Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ adapter (which converts from Raspberry Pi FPC standard to the M.2 M-key format), are available for $40 and $55, respectively.



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[SOAREVERSOR]

I'm a find of "official" stuff even if it comes at a premium as long as it's certified to work.

 

[Ferrum Master]

If anyone wonders if the OS performance differs from good SD card and nvme... then my answer is no.

I picked up more versatile thing as you can feed it from separate line and does not screw with cooling. Yes I tried to run GPU's, no dice still... It looks good, you can put it an cube like case and mimic PC like look like Fractal did.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Yes I tried to run GPU's, no dice still...

Sorry, but how do you expect a GPU to work without drivers?

 

[ncrs]

Sorry, but how do you expect a GPU to work without drivers?

AMD GPU open source Linux support works on RPi 5, at least enough for rendering a simpler 3D game. It's demonstrated under Debian 12 with relatively old 6.1 kernel, so a more bleeding edge distro probably works even better.

 

[TheLostSwede]

AMD GPU open source Linux support works on RPi 5, at least enough for rendering a simpler 3D game. It's demonstrated under Debian 12 with relatively old 6.1 kernel, so a more bleeding edge distro probably works even better.

But does it work with the RPi OS?

 

[ncrs]

But does it work with the RPi OS?

I don't see why not. RPi OS is based on Debian 12, and it has a newer kernel from the 6.6 series. Unless they specifically disabled AMD GPU support, but I don't have a RPi 5 to test with myself. Even if it was disabled a kernel recompile isn't that hard to do

 

[Ferrum Master]

Sorry, but how do you expect a GPU to work without drivers?

There are drivers for ARM, I know older Radeons do output image. For most parts there are PCIe quirks and wrong address space implementations, but sooner or later something will work... work is going on. It will be fun, the platform is intended to have fun while tinkering with the code, that's the goal.

I tried GT710, it installs actually, is seen correctly. You don't have do anything special about it. Plain RPI debian is fine, it ain't a cut down router OS lol.

It would be good as RPI5 does not have any video media accelerators anymore. But other than that, I can try plethora of devices using that adapter.

 

[AusWolf]

When your m.2 2240 nvme SSD is only slightly smaller than your entire PC. Nice!

 

[Assimilator]

Now if only they could release a product with good connectivity, instead of the Raspberry Pi 4 v2 that they called v5.

 

[AusWolf]

Now if only they could release a product with good connectivity, instead of the Raspberry Pi 4 v2 that they called v5.

And with actually usable hardware, like Intel did with the Compute Stick (which was a much more well-rounded and user-friendlier device than any Raspberry, imo).

 

[GabrielLP14]

@Nomad76 any word on what controller and Flash is it using?

 

[Nomad76]

@Nomad76 any word on what controller and Flash is it using?

No info on those yet. I can only presume that Biwin uses one controller (cheaper) for the 256GB version and a different one for the 512GB (due to differences in IOPS).

 

[GabrielLP14]

No info on those yet. I can only presume that Biwin uses one controller (cheaper) for the 256GB version and a different one for the 512GB (due to differences in IOPS).

Apparently Biwin is in fact the OEM, i think it might be a cheap AF Innogrit controller, but i didnt find any specs yet

 

[GabrielLP14]

@Nomad76
I've found out, besides Biwin its also using Samsung's PM991a OEM drive as you can see here in our database

Raspberry Pi SSD 256 GB Specs

256 GB, TLC, PCIe 3.0 x4, M.2 2230

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