Understanding SSD Technology
Published 24th April 2020 | Article by KingstonMemoryShop | Posted in SSD
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NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a communications interface and driver that defines a command set and feature set for PCIe-based SSDs with the goals of increased and efficient performance and interoperability on a broad range of enterprise and client systems. NVMe was designed for SSD. It communicates between the storage interface and the System CPU using high-speed PCIe sockets, independent of storage form factor.
Input/Output tasks performed using NVMe drivers begin faster, transfer more data, and finish faster than older storage models using older drivers, such as AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface). Because it was designed specifically for SSDs, NVMe is becoming the new industry standard. |
What Should You Know?
Storage: Then and Now
DATA BUSES: Transport data within a system
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SATA Transfers up to...
PCIe Transfers up to...
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Using 16 lanes, PCIe Gen 4 can transfer data at 32,000MB/s
Communication Drivers
Used by Operating Systems to communicate data with storage devices
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AHCI
NVMe
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SSD Form Factors
The shapes and sizes of solid-state storage
SATA
2.5”
1.8”
mSATA (designed for smaller form factor systems)
M.2 (supports AHCI version)
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PCIe
HHHL – Half Height, Half Length
› AHCI versions of these drives plug into the PCIe slot, but use the AHCI drivers › NVMe versions typically use native OS drivers 
M.2
U.2
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Beyond the Numbers
Benefits of NVMe Technology
Optimal Performance
Superior Storage PCIe sockets transfer >25x more data than their SATA equivalent.
Superior Speed
NVMe begins sending commands more than 2x faster than AHCI drivers. NVMe Input/Output Operations per Second exceeds 1 million and is up to 900% faster than its AHCI equivalent. 
Superior Compatibility NVMe cuts out the middle man by communicating directly with the System CPU. NVMe-based drives work with all major Operating Systems, regardless of form factor. |
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