So How Many M. 2 Slots Do Motherboards Have?

If you’re building your own computer or upgrading an existing one, you may be wondering how many M.2 slots your motherboard has. These slots are used for installing solid-state drives (SSDs) that are faster and more durable than traditional hard drives. The number of M.2 slots on a motherboard can vary depending on the model and manufacturer, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase.

First, let’s define what an M.2 slot is. M.2 is a form factor for SSDs that uses a small, rectangular connector and can support both SATA and PCIe interfaces.2 SSDs are typically much faster than traditional hard drives, which makes them ideal for use as boot drives or for storing frequently accessed files.

Now, onto the number of M.2 slots you can expect to find on a motherboard. This can vary greatly depending on the size and features of the motherboard, as well as the intended use case.

ATX motherboards, which are the most common form factor for desktop computers, typically have two or more M.2 slots. For example, the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero (Wi-Fi) ATX motherboard has two M.2 slots that support PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes.

Micro-ATX motherboards, which are smaller than ATX but still offer many of the same features, may have only one M.2 slot due to space limitations. The ASRock B450M Pro4 Micro-ATX motherboard has just one M.2 slot that supports PCIe 3.0 x4 mode.

Mini-ITX motherboards, which are even smaller than Micro-ATX and designed for compact builds, usually have only one M.2 slot due to space constraints as well as power consumption concerns. The Gigabyte B450 I AORUS PRO Wi-Fi Mini-ITX motherboard has just one M.

It’s also worth noting that some motherboards may have M.2 slots that only support SATA mode, while others may support both PCIe and SATA modes. PCIe mode is generally faster than SATA mode, but it requires more power and may not be compatible with all SSDs.

In summary, the number of M.2 slots on a motherboard can vary greatly depending on the size and features of the motherboard, as well as the intended use case. ATX motherboards typically have two or more M.2 slots, while smaller form factors like Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX may have only one due to space limitations. It’s important to check the specifications of your chosen motherboard to ensure it has the number of M.2 slots you need for your build or upgrade.