What is pci express ssd

 SSD storage units are no longer considered luxury hardware in this days. Most users want make sure that the computer has SSD storage when purchasing a new computer. In other words, we have almost entered the era when SSDs began to replace HDDs.

The most important technical difference between a standard SSD and a standard HDD is that SSDs use flash memory chips, as opposed to the solution of classic HDDs storing data on a rotating, physical disk. In this way, SSD memory has both less power consumption and a much higher data transfer rate.

PCIe SSD

The main difference between a PCIe SSD and a standard SSD is that most SSD storage units sold today are connected to your system via the SATA III interface. This interface can theoretically transfer 6 gigabit/750 MB of data per second. In real conditions, almost no SATA III SSD can reach these values. But for comparison, we will use these values.

If we look at the PCIe SSD side, the PCIe slot used by these SSDs can transfer 15.75 GB of data per second at peak. Considering that the same slot is also used for video cards, we can say that it is not very surprising value. But the fact that the transfer speed of the PCIe slot is so high does not mean that PCIe SSDs have the same transfer values. Currently, most PCIe SSDs can handle data transfer from 1.5 GB to 3 GB per second. Considering that the average read speed of SATA III SSDs is 550 MB per second, we can say that these values are quite impressive.

As you can see, PCIe SSDs have much higher read and write values than standard SATA III SSDs. So does the difference end here? As mentioned above, the SATA III interface can reach the highest data transfer rate of 750 MB per second. The fact that most SATA III SSDs offer values quite close to this limit indicates that we are approaching the end of the potential of the SATA III interface. On the other hand, SSDs with a PCIe interface are still using 10% of their potential. In short, we can see that the future of SSD technology lies in the PCIe interface.

Price factor

We talked about the technical characteristics and potential of PCIe. Now let’s address the inevitable problem; Price. If computer technology has taught us anything, it is the fact that high speed brings high costs. Unfortunately, this also applies to PCIe SSDs.

Today, a PCIe SSD model with equal storage of any brand is at least twice as expensive as a SATA III SSD model. Currently, When standard SSDs cannot compete with HDDs in terms of storage/price ratio, the prices of PCIe SSDs can be too luxurious. For example, SATA III 240 GB SSD is sold in our country in an average price range of 300-400 pounds, 240 GB PCIe SSD price 1000 pounds can find.

Let’s move on to the most important question; Do you need a PCIe SSD? Our answer to that question will probably be “no.” If you are a standard home user, the price of PCIe SSDs will be impossible to justify. Because today, almost no game or software requires more than the 500 MB read and write speed promised by SATA III SSDs.

If you are using heavy server software or transferring a huge amount of data from one place to another every day, PCIe SSDs can significantly speed up your business. Also, let’s remind you that PCIe SSDs use PCIe slots. In other words, it is useful to make sure that there are enough PCIe slots on the motherboard.

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