Capacity comes first
Select enough usable capacity for the operating system, applications, working files and future growth. Performance figures matter only after the drive fits the slot, protocol and thermal conditions of the target system.
Compatibility checklist
- Confirm M.2 length, interface and PCIe generation.
- Check whether using the slot disables another port or shares lanes.
- Use a suitable heatsink when the workload and enclosure require one.
- Compare sustained writes and warranty endurance, not only peak sequential speed.
- Keep a separate backup; an SSD is not a backup strategy.