WD 500GB Blue 3D NAND M.2 SATA SSD/Solid State Drive

Solid-state drives have been shrinking, thanks to the "gumstick" M.2 format—and, in some cases, they're getting a lot faster.

M.2 is a form factor for SSDs (solid-state drives) that’s shaped like a stick of gum. These SSDs are generally faster but more expensive than traditional, 2.5-inch SSDs.

Thin gaming laptops are increasingly using M.2 SSDs because they take up less room than 2.5-inch SSDs or hard drives.

M.2 SSDs go up to 2TB in storage size. Other form factors offer more capacity.

In order to use an M.2 SSD in your gaming PC or laptop, you’ll need a motherboard with M.2 slots. Some motherboards have two or more M.2 slots, allows you to run your SSDs in RAID.

M.2 SSDs can also be either single- or double-sided. Single-sided M.2 boards are used where space is limited, such as with ultra-thin laptops. Double-sided chips, however, take up more physical space but have greater storage capacities.

The M.2 device has notches in one end, which act as connectors, called module keys. M.2 modules are rectangular. An edge connector is located on one side with a mounting hole at the opposite edge. The edge connector has 75 positions with up to 67 pins. Each pin is rated up to 50 volts and 0.5 amps.