Intel mini-pcie SSD

I've just seen this in the news:

SSD shrinkage leads to Intel 310 Series - The Tech Report

What I don't understand is if this will work in a miniPCIe slot from my laptop. As far as I know, it needs to have the I/O controller implemented on the board, otherwise it will not work.

 

Would the I/O controller be any old Intel Chipset Southbridge?

 

As far as I know, no. Only netbooks are amble to use it. But maybe this is different.

 

No, not different: the appropriate I/O controller needs to be on the MB.

 

they plug in as they are physically identical. but they don't work, as the lanes are not connected to the sata controller.

now if one has a free sata port on the mainboard that isn't used (my laptop does) and some fun wiring...

 

too bad. I was hoping that it just added another ACHI controller in the drive as well so it can be plugged into any notebook(kind of like adding a RAID card into a desktop machine) :-(

 

this is NOT a mini-pcie card. It uses a mini SATA connector.

 

According to the press release: The Intel SSD 310 supports SATA signals over a PCI Express (PCIe) mini-connector for on-board, compact storage in single-drive netbooks, tablets or handheld devices. Weighing just 10 grams, the compact size also enables dual drive all-in-ones, notebooks or small-form-factor (SFF) desktops to help accelerate boot time and access to frequently used applications or files.

 

I think newposter is right. this mini-PCIe is a monster. It can carry multiple signals in addition to the standard PCIe we know about including USB and ATA. Not all motherboard support the ATA signal though.

So it seems that this SSD 310 is for some new device(tablet etc.) rather than a general upgrade to a standard notebook that I hope for :-(

 

I said it in the discussion thread for the news article Chaz posted: It's pathetic how few notebooks support mini-PCIe SSDs.

Like switchable graphics for notebooks with a discrete and integrated GPU, mini-PCIe SSD support should be a standard.

 

what connects the sata port to the pci e slot in a laptop that is compatible with these ssds?

 

the manufacturer? those metal parts on a mainboard going from your sata chip to the connector?


those things:

 

My laptop has 2 internal sata slots open according to intel rapid whatever

program

what is the purpose of 2 open sata slots if the only way to connect to them is soldered into a main board?

it also says, 1 open external sata or esata. which it does

what about something that connects to an esata port then?

 

well, the chipset is the same all the time. and the chipset supports two sata ports. they wouldn't produce an extra chipset for that.

 

I bet your notebook also has 4 ram slots according to many programs, but when you open your notebook you will only find 2.

What's supported and what's actually implemented are two different things.


By the way, there is nothing stopping you from adding a SSD through your esata port, but that will be external unless you want to do some DIY soldering.

 

indeed. i just know in my case, that there are lines on the mainboard for the second sata port. one could connect to them with some soldering and wires and all.

 

I have seen a few people do just that, the best link I found is down, here is another:
Extreme Netbook Mod - Tech Support Guy Forums

 

ya my ram says 4, but there are only 3 slots.

as far as an external well.


something this small could actually be taped to the back of the lcd lid.

next we need esata ( which is the same as sata so far as i know...


to a pci e mini connector cable.

well would that work? Or it wouldnt because its only connected to sata then, and not the mini pcie?

ok thirdly then, pciexpress card is that connected to sata and pci?

 

pciexpress card does not have sata pins as far as I can remember from looking at the pinout a few months ago.

You probably wont find an esata to miniPCIe adaptor. But you could make one.

What you can do it get a small 1.8" SSD and connect that to your esata port (you will find an esata to usata (micro sata) adapter on ebay).

I have a 1.8" SSD and when you take the cover off it is pretty thin.

EDIT: You can find a SSD for your expresscard slot.

 

well the intel rapid storage thing says i have 5 sata ports

It doesnt include the odd it says that is an atapi does this mean that it is not sata? Thats an aside for when i get an optical caddy

it has 2 being used, 2 open internal, and one open external

 

well the esata has no power anyway correct?

Somehow putting a pci express card in it might not help anyway because theres no power going to it.

your 1.8 inch drive actyally still needs power

 

My notebook has a power eSATA connector.

It's a combo esata/usb port.

http://micro.msi.com/poweresata/

EDIT: This could work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SDD-MICRO-SATA-...311406?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item20b565f4ee

Thinking about it now, I might buy one and test it out. Since my soldering skills failed me when I tried to solder my SSD directly to my esata port (tried to take 3.3v from a miniPCIe pin). Notebook failed to POST, don't know why...

 

eSATA does not universally have power.

Some implementations of eSATA do provide power. These connectors are called eSATAp. But because eSATAp is not universally implemented in laptop connectors or external drives, it is practically useless. If you have an eSATA drive, you can pretty much count on having some kind of external power - either through USB or through an external power brick.

 

WORD. I don't understand why manufacturers do not get it.

 

In the notebook world it seems that manufacturers are rather against standardisation. Probably it helps them to have better profits and keep the market closed to third party products.

Either way, it looks like this will not work in my laptop. Pity, I was thinking of buying one.