M.2 / miniPCIe

serafean · 08-29-2017, 03:56 AM

Hi,

I'm eyeing the J4205-ITX motherboard for a low power system I want to build.
The manual states that the M.2 port supports WiFi cards. I can't wrap my head around it, and so the question : Does the M.2 port also support miniPCIe cards?

thanks.

sdowney717 · 08-29-2017, 06:04 AM

M.2 is a different interface, has a different plug configuration. Neither will fit into the slot, the types must match.
You can by an adapter to plug into miniPCIE on the mainboard that accepts an M.2 card.
So no, you can not plug a mini pcie card into an M.2 port.

serafean · 08-29-2017, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the clear answer

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdowney717

You can by an adapter to plug into miniPCIE on the mainboard that accepts an M.2 card.

Could it happen the other way around? Per wikipedia on some pins there are PCIe lanes. Any info on that?
I'm left wondering how AsRock manages to plug a wifi module into an M.2 port...

Thanks

jefro · 08-29-2017, 02:39 PM

Because the specification on M.2 includes different types of boards. Not just the size.

sdowney717 · 08-30-2017, 07:54 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-kACJLKNOI
Good video that explains a lot.

Any manufacturer can decide to implement a specification on their board like M.2, which is handy for size reasons.

serafean · 09-02-2017, 05:51 AM

So if I understand it correctly, M.2 connects to different buses and exposes them on its different pins. It still looks like a mess to me. I'd like to use those PCIe lanes for a different card...
Something like this, but for Key E.
Thanks for your help.

serafean · 09-02-2017, 12:52 PM

I may have found what I was looking for : "Delock Converter M.2 Key A+E male > 1 x Mini PCIe Slot half size / full size with flexible cable"