M 2 Slots On Motherboard. The m 2 format is specially designed for manufacturers to replace various specific devices. Most modern motherboards support not only one but sometimes 2 or even 3 m 2 slots on them.
Some motherboards have two or more m 2 slots allows you to run your ssds in raid. I strongly recommend using the bottom slot with a pcie m 2 drive because the top slot interferes with sata operations in a complicated way explained on page 30 of the manual. Three pcie gen4x4 slots are integrated and the option for 2 remaining gen4x4 slots is available via included add in card which msi calls xpander z gen4.
The m 2 slot is a 22mm wide slot that supports the horizontal insertion of an m 2 card usually located under or adjacent to the pcie slots.
Unfortunately the xpander z gen 4 add in card is not individually available for purchase in the market as of now. It only comes with selected msi motherboards. Not all five m 2 pcie slots are integrated into the motherboard. Some cards are as short as 30mm.
