StarTech.com Dual M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter Card - x8 / x16 Dual NVMe or AHCI M.2 SSD to PCI Express 3.0 - M.2 NGFF PCIe (M-key) Compatible

Upgrade your storage with purpose-built speed and expandability using the StarTech.com Dual M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter Card. This high-performance PCIe expansion card is engineered for desktop workstations, servers, and demanding gaming rigs, delivering two independent M.2 slots that support NVMe and AHCI M.2 solid-state drives. By bringing PCI Express 3.0 bandwidth directly to two M.2 drives, it enables dramatically faster boot times, snappier application launches, rapid large-file transfers, and accelerated data processing workflows. Whether you’re building a blazing-fast workstation, expanding a server with fast scratch and caching storage, or simply upgrading a PC with two premium NVMe drives, this adapter is designed to maximize throughput while preserving motherboard and chassis flexibility. The M-key compatible slots accommodate standard M.2 drives, giving you access to a broad ecosystem of SSDs from leading manufacturers. With a robust design and compatibility with PCIe 3.0, StarTech.com ensures reliable performance for sustained workloads, data-intensive tasks, and professional-grade storage acceleration.

• Dual M.2 slots on a single PCIe 3.0 card—Add two high-performance M.2 NVMe or AHCI SSDs to a single PCIe expansion card, enabling parallel storage that can dramatically improve boot times, software load speeds, and large-file transfer rates.
• NVMe and AHCI support—Flexibly run both NVMe and AHCI M.2 drives in M-key form factors, unlocking PCIe 3.0 speeds for a wide range of SSDs and ensuring compatibility across a broad drive ecosystem.
• PCIe 3.0 x8/x16 host interface—Designed to slot into PCIe motherboards that provide ample bandwidth, allowing two drives to operate with substantial performance headroom while preserving system responsiveness for demanding apps and multitasking.
• Expanded storage for diverse workloads—Ideal for content creation, video editing, 3D rendering, virtualization caches, databases, gaming rigs, and data-intensive workloads, where fast access to separate OS, scratch, or data volumes can streamline workflows.
• Broad compatibility and easy integration—Compatible with desktops, workstations, and servers that offer a PCIe expansion slot, making it straightforward to upgrade storage without replacing the motherboard or chassis, and supporting a wide range of operating systems and configurations.

Technical Details of StarTech.com Dual M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter Card

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install StarTech.com Dual M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter Card

• Power down your computer and unplug it from the power source. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge before handling components.
• Open the chassis and locate a suitable PCIe expansion slot on the motherboard. The card is designed for PCIe 3.0 slots and will operate best in an x8 or x16 slot.
• Remove the slot cover from the back of the case (if needed) and align the StarTech.com adapter with the slot. Firmly press the card into the PCIe slot until it is fully seated.
• Secure the card to the chassis with a screw in the expansion bracket to keep it firmly in place during operation.
• Install two M.2 NVMe or AHCI drives into the two M-key slots on the adapter. Ensure drives are properly seated and secured with their retention screws (not supplied with the card in all configurations).
• Reassemble the PC case, reconnect power, and boot the system. Enter BIOS/UEFI to confirm the new hardware is detected and to configure boot order or drive priorities as needed. In most configurations, the two M.2 drives will be recognized by your operating system and can be initialized or formatted through standard disk management tools.
• Install or update any necessary chipset or motherboard firmware if required by your system to ensure optimal PCIe lane allocation and compatibility with NVMe drives.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What drives can I use with this StarTech.com Dual M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter Card? A: This adapter supports two M.2 NVMe or AHCI SSDs with the M-key interface. You can use standard M.2 PCIe drives that conform to the NVMe or AHCI specifications and fit within the M-key configuration.
• Q: Do I need drivers to use the NVMe or AHCI drives on this adapter? A: In most modern operating systems, NVMe and AHCI drives are recognized without additional drivers. Some older systems may require chipset or storage controller updates for full compatibility.
• Q: Can I boot from an M.2 drive installed on this adapter? A: Boot support depends on your motherboard/BIOS. Some systems allow NVMe boot from PCIe expansion cards, while others require specific BIOS settings or firmware. Check your motherboard documentation to verify supported boot configurations.
• Q: Is this card suitable for a laptop or small form factor system? A: The Dual M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter Card is designed for desktops, workstations, and servers with available PCIe expansion slots. It is not intended for use in laptops.
• Q: Will running two NVMe drives on this card cause thermal issues? A: NVMe drives can generate heat during sustained transfers. Ensure adequate case airflow and consider cooling strategies if you plan heavy workloads or long runtimes on both drives simultaneously.