ODROID M.2 2x2 Card for ODROID H4 and H3 Series

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The M.2 2×2 card is designed to enhance the functionality of your ODROID-H3 and H4 series by providing two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x2 lanes connectors. This card utilizes the PCIe Gen 3 x4 lanes from the mainboard, allowing you to leverage the bandwidth efficiently for multiple devices, such as NVMe drives, network adapters, WiFi adapters, and 5G adapters. With pre-installed M.2 screws (2 pcs), the installation process is straightforward and secure.

Compatibility

• Compatible with: ODROID-H3 and H4 series.
• Not compatible with: ODROID H2 Series.

Installation

The M.2 2×2 card slides into the mainboard M.2 connector and is securely fixed with screws. This integration supports the installation of two 2280 size M.2 PCIe devices, each slot providing two lanes of PCIe 3.0 (2 x 8GT/s).

Performance

• Multiple SSD Installation: Utilizing the JBOD (Just Bunch of Disks) concept, you can install multiple M.2 SSDs. Each slot, using two PCIe lanes, allows access to files at speeds up to 1600~1800MB/s.
• PCIe Devices: You can install PCIe devices like WiFi adapters, Ethernet, 4G/5G modems, AI accelerators (TPU/NPU), etc., in the M.2 form factor. For instance, using a Google Coral Dual Edge TPU and NVMe simultaneously is possible, as each uses two PCIe lanes.

BIOS Requirement

To use the M.2 2×2 card, flashing a different version of the BIOS is necessary due to the embedded PCIe Gen 3 configuration (bifurcation) in the Intel microcode merged into the BIOS bin file. Ensure to flash the ESF BIOS for 2 bifurcated x2 lanes, as the default BIOS provides non-bifurcated 1 x4 lanes.

Typical Use Cases

• Maximizing SSD Space: The M.2 2×2 card allows you to install two 4TB NVMe SSDs, providing a total of 8TB SSD space.
• Combining SSD and Network Adapters: While maintaining SSDs at PCIe Gen 3 x2 or x1 speed, you can also use additional network adapters, PCI WiFi adapters, 5G adapters, PCIe AI adapters, etc.
• Maximizing NVMe Speed: For using an M.2 NVMe SSD at maximum speed (4 x 8GT/sec), it’s recommended to keep using the PCIe Gen 3 x4 lanes fully dedicated to the NVMe SSD.
• The M.2 2×2 card is an excellent solution for ODROID-H3 and H4 users looking to expand their system’s capabilities. Whether you need more SSD space, additional network adapters, or PCIe devices, this card provides flexibility and high performance. Ensure that the correct BIOS version and case are selected with adequate vertical space for tall M.2 devices.

Items Included

•      ODROID M.2 2x2 Card

NVMe SSD and other accessories are Not included.