MSI has launched a brand new expander PCIe card that features two separate M.2 slots. This is not one of the products we are used to and it is a remarkable innovation. With the card called M.2 Xpander-Aero Slider Gen 5, we can use up to two 22110 sized M.2 drives at Gen 5 speeds. Moreover, when using supported products, it is possible to change the driver even if the card is working.
Does the design of the unusual add-on card look familiar to you? It’s almost like a single-fan graphics card. MSI’s new product has two M.2 slots that can be accessed from the rear PCIe slots. The product has a matte black coating and comes with a single-fan cooler. The fan is set to automatically shut down if it doesn’t detect any installed M.2 drives. It also has a manual off/on switch when SSDs are installed. Manual fan functionality is included for low-power M.2 NVMe SSDs (such as Gen 3 and Gen 4) that do not require active cooling.
Let’s say you want to back up your data to a super-fast M.2 SSD, but you want to take it with you to keep it safe. It is possible to replace the SSD while the add-on card is working. So you don’t have to remove the card to access the drivers.
Of course, you can buy an M.2 SSD case with a high-speed USB 3.2 port and get a similar experience. But you won’t get Gen 5 speeds with typical USB cases. Also, if you’re using your ‘external’ M.2 drives connected to the system for long periods of time, consider using them inside a PCIe card rather than plugging into one of the front-mounted USB ports. ine The placement opportunity is good.
