USB3.0 to M.2 NGFF (SATA) SSD Expansion Board for RPi4B

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Description

Note: This USB to M.2 expansion board is NOT compatible with Raspberry Pi 3B/3B+ because of the USB port position. Furthermore, there is no USB 3.0 on the Raspberry Pi 3B/3B+.

Expansion Board + 120GB M.2 SATAExpansion Board

 

Note: The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B  is NOT included in the packing list. 


 

The USB3.0 to M.2 NGFF (SATA) SSD Expansion Board is designed for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, it provides a complete storage solution for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The latest X862 V2.0 only supports M.2 NGFF SSD Key-B 2280 length.

Here's the M.2 NGFF SATA SSD Shield for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B reviewed by ETA PRIME:

Note: The expansion board in the video is V1.0. This product is updated to V2.0

To use the expansion board, you will definitely need an M.2 NGFF (SATA) SSD. If you don't already have one, consider getting the expansion board together with a 120GB MakerDisk M.2 SSD, pre-loaded with Raspberry Pi OS.

 

M.2 2280 SATA III SSD for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

We, at Cytron Technologies, are pretty excited with the stable release of USB boot firmware and have also released a reliable SSD in M.2 2280 (B+M Key) form factor. We called it MakerDisk! A Disk from Makers to Makers :) It is an M.2 2280 NGFF, SATA III (6.0 Gbps) Solid State Drive (SSD) with a capacity of 120GB.

Everyone is booting the preferred Operating System for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B from USB :) The USB Boot firmware for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is now officially released as a stable version. Check out this video by Jeff Geerling talking about the stable release of this firmware:

 

Booting Raspberry Pi OS and opening Apps/Programs from MakerDisk SSD is faster than the microSD card. Here are the speed test results that we get using Raspberry Pi Diagnostics.

  • Sequential write speed 315076 KB/sec (target 10000) - PASS, over 31 times faster than the target
  • Random write speed 12690 IOPS (target 500) - PASS, nearly 25 times faster than the target
  • Random read speed 12840 IOPS (target 1500) - PASS, nearly 8.5 times faster than the target

This M.2 2280 MakerDisk SSD has a maximum sequential read and writes speed of up to 550MB/s and 460MB/s respectively. The above results are limited by the USB3.0 to SATA interface.

Note: This MakerDisk SSD is PRE-LOADED with the Raspberry Pi OS, so you can use it with Raspberry Pi 4 Model B or Raspberry Pi 400 right out of the box (if the Raspberry Pi is ready with USB boot). Of course, you will still a SATA to USB bridge, USB3.0 to M.2 NGFF SSD Expansion Board.

 

Is Your Raspberry Pi 4 Model B or Raspberry Pi 400 Ready with USB Boot?

Most of the latest Raspberry Pi 4 Model B comes with the latest USB bootable firmware. In case you have an older version of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B board, or you are not sure, just check it using one of these methods:

Option 1: Do it from Raspberry Pi OS desktop with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, going into the raspi_config, by leepspvideo:

 
 
Option 2: Format a blank microSD card (you need to back up the content in case you have only one microSD card) into FAT32, load the RPi4 EEPROM firmware using Raspberry Pi Imager(download from here). From Operating System -> Misc Utility Images -> Raspberry Pi 4 EEPROM boot recovery, choose your microSD card and load the image into it:
 

After the Raspberry Pi Imager loaded the EEPROM firmware into the microSD card, insert it into your Raspberry Pi 4 Model B's microSD card slot and power it up. After just 3 seconds, the EEPROM is updated with new firmware and it is ready for USB boot.

Option 3: Boot it directly if your Raspberry Pi 4 Model B comes with the latest firmware in the EEPROM, nothing needed to be updated :)

In any case, you can always reload the image/Operating System into this SSD using an M.2 to USB3.0 Adapter. We recommend using the official imager: Raspberry Pi Imager. Please check this video out on how to use the Advance features:

Warranty Period: 12 months
Features
  • X862 V2.0 Expansion Board
    • Compatible with all Raspberry Pi Operating Systems (OS)
    • Fully compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (Make sure the EEPROM comes with the latest bootloader):
    • Ideal storage solution for Raspberry Pi 4 - M.2 NGFF SATA SSD expansion board
    • Supports up to 2TB M.2 NGFF SSD solid-state drive
    • Integrated USB 3.1 Gen1 to SATA 6Gb/s bridge controller
    • Integrated high-efficiency step-down converter, 3.3V max 4A to power the SSD
    • USB3.1 Gen1 5Gb/s connectivity offers plug-and-play functionality on your Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
    • Allows booting OS from your HDD/SSD for faster app opens, web serving, and file copying
    • The Blue LED indicator indicates drive status
    • External self-powered or USB bus-powered
    • Onboard DC jack & XH2.54 connector for extra SSD power supply
    • Specially-made USB3.1 bridge to connect with Raspberry Pi - no cabling required!
    • Fully compatible with:
      • M.2 SATA/NGFF Solid-State Memory Stick, NOT NVMe
    • Power supply:
      • 5VDC +/-5%, Powered via USB port by Raspberry Pi 4
    • Ports & Connectors:
      • USB socket - USB 3.0 type A x1
      • 67Pin M.2 connector P=0.5mm, H3.2mm, Key B x1
    • PCB size: 87mm x 56mm

Note:

  1. Compatible with M.2 NGFF SATA SSDs only, not compatible with NVMe M.2 SSDs
  2. As with all SSDs, new media must be formatted before use
  3. SSDs use exceptionally high-performance storage media that will run hot when under load
  4. Older SSD drives with less efficient flash media may not perform as well as newer drives

 

  • 120GB M.2 2280 MakerDisk SATA III SSD with RPi OS
    • Brand: MakerDisk
    • Form factor: M.2 2280 B+M Key SATA Solid State Drive
    • Pre-loaded with Raspberry Pi OS
    • NOT NVMe Drive
    • Low power consumption
    • Low heat generation
    • High level of ability to endure shock, vibration, and high temperature
    • SMART TRIM support
    • Host Interface: SATA III
    • Capacity: 120GB
    • Performance:
      • Read: Up to 550MB/s
      • Write: Up to 460MB/s
    • Shock: 1500G/0.5ms
    • Operation temperature: 0°C-70°C
    • Up to 20X faster than a typical hard disk drive
    • Boosts burst write performance, making it ideal for typical computer workloads
    • Faster boot-up, shutdown, application load, and response for Raspberry Pi

We managed to boot the Raspberry Pi OS on Raspberry Pi 4 Model B using this expansion board with 120GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD and obtain a very good booting speed and loading program.

    Packing List
    • Expansion Board + 120GB M.2 SATA
      • 1 x X862 M.2 NGFF SATA SSD Shield, V2.0
      • 1 x USB3.1 jumper
      • 4 x Screw M2.5 *6mm
      • 4 x Spacer M/F M2.5 *12mm
      • 4 x Spacer F/F M2.5 *8mm
      • 1 x Screwdriver
      • 1 x Screw M2.5 *4mm
      • 1 x 120GB M.2 2280 NGFF MakerDisk SATA III SSD with Raspberry Pi OS
    • Expansion Board 
      • 1 x X862 M.2 NGFF SATA SSD Shield, V2.0
      • 1 x USB3.1 jumper
      • 4 x Screw M2.5 *6mm
      • 4 x Spacer M/F M2.5 *12mm
      • 4 x Spacer F/F M2.5 *8mm
      • 1 x Screwdriver
      • 1 x Screw M2.5 *4mm

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    Tags: M.2 NGFF SATA SSD Shield, Raspberry Pi 4B, RPi4B, Storage, USB Boot