ASUS has introduced a new alliteration of Hyper M.2 PCIe expansion card, which compliments the already existing Gen4 Model. This Hyper M.2 SSD Gen5 x16 expansion card is enable to accommodate up to four drives, making optimal use of the PCIe x16 slot’s full bandwidth. However, compatibility with current motherboards may be restricted due to the introduction of the PCI Gen5 standard with this model.
Impressive Bandwidth and Requirements
The information provided on ASUS’s product page indicates that this storage product in RAID0 mode can handle up to 512Gb/s of bandwidth. Storage manufacturers will need to produce Gen5 devices with read speeds of up to 16 GB/s to achieve the mentioned speed of ASUS Hyper M.2 SSD Gen5 x16.
Versatile Form Factors and Easy Installation
The ASUS Hyper M.2 SSD Gen5 x16 card supports various form factors, including 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110. It is compatible with both Gen4 and Gen5 standards. The installation and drive exchange are made worry-free and easy by removing the need for screws with the ASUS Q-Latch system.
Hyper M.2 SSD Gen5 x16 Power Requirements and Cooling System
The card requires a 6-pin PCIe external power connection to effectively power all four SSD drives simultaneously, allowing each drive to receive up to 14 watts of power. ASUS states that users can also choose to operate them separately or in multiple RAID configurations. Additionally, the M.2 SSD Gen5 x16 card features an active cooling system, maintaining a single-slot design while covering the entire board. ASUS provides the option of disabling the fan through a small button on the I/O bracket. The bracket also includes four LEDs indicating the operational status.
Support for SSD Configurations
This expansion card supports SSD configurations ranging from 1 to 4 drives. The specific supported configurations will depend on both the platform and CPU selected. High-end desktop (HEDT) platforms like TRX40 and X299 offer wider PCIe lane support and can accommodate more expansion cards.
Hyper M.2 SSD Gen5 x16 Optimal Platforms for Effective Use
Intel W690, Z790, W790, or AMD X670 and B650PCIe, being newer platforms, primarily show more effective use of Gen5. The HEDT W790 chipset is the optimal platform for Intel, boasting PCIe Gen5 support and more lanes compared to the consumer line, which is limited to a total of 16 lanes.
Pricing and Confirmation of Hyper M.2 SSD Gen5 x16
Juan Jose Guerrero, ASUS Product Manager for North America, has confirmed that the Hyper M.2 expansion card will be priced at $79.