Pimoroni
NVMe Base for Raspberry Pi 5
· MPN: PIM699
Add super-fast NVMe storage to your Raspberry Pi 5 with the Pimoroni NVMe Base. This PCIe extension board mounts underneath your Pi and accepts M-key NVMe SS...
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Add super-fast NVMe storage to your Raspberry Pi 5 with the Pimoroni NVMe Base. This PCIe extension board mounts underneath your Pi and accepts M-key NVMe SSDs in 2230 to 2280 form factors, delivering lightning-fast boot times and high IOPS for file servers, media centres, and NAS applications.
Designed following the official Raspberry Pi PIP PCIe connector standard, ensuring long-term compatibility with Raspberry Pi OS updates. The Pi 5 runs at PCIe 3.0 x1 speeds (experimental), achieving around 700–800 MB/s read and 350–450 MB/s write at peak.
Key Features
- M.2 NVMe Slot (M-Key) – Supports 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 SSDs
- PCIe x1 Connection – Via flat flex cable to Raspberry Pi 5
- Mounts Underneath – Compact form factor with rubber feet
- HAT Pass-Through – Long bolts included for stacking with a HAT
- PIP Standard Compliant – Official Raspberry Pi PCIe design guidelines
Setup
For the most hassle-free experience, ensure Raspberry Pi OS is up to date and firmware is version 2023-12-06 or newer.
[all]
dtparam=pciex1_gen=3Boot from NVMe:
- Update firmware to 2023-12-06 or newer
- Format the drive using Raspberry Pi Imager
- Run
sudo raspi-config - Select NVMe/USB boot under Advanced Options > Boot Order
- Reboot
Tested Compatible Drives
- AData Legend 700 / 800 / XPG SX8200 Pro
- Crucial P2 / P3 / P3 Plus
- Kingston KC3000
- Kioxia Exceria / Exceria G2
- Lexar NM620 / NM710
- Netac NV2000 / NV3000
- Sabrent Rocket 4.0 / Rocket Nano
- Samsung 980 / 980 Pro (500 GB / 1 TB)
- Team MP33
- WD Black SN750 SE
Ideal For
- NAS and file server builds
- Fast boot from NVMe storage
- Media centres and reverse proxies
- High IOPS workloads
Package Contents
- 1× NVMe Base PCB with M.2 Slot (M-Key)
- 1× PCIe Pipe Flat Flex Cable
- 4× Rubber Feet
- 1× M2 Bolt + 2× Nuts (SSD mounting)
- 4× 7 mm M2.5 Standoffs (base mounting)
- 8× Short M2.5 Bolts (base mounting)
- 4× Long M2.5 Bolts (HAT pass-through mounting)
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- M.2
- M.2 is a compact edge-connector standard for plugging small modules - such as SSDs, wireless cards or microcontroller modules - into a host board without soldering. The same slot shape can carry different interfaces (for example PCIe, SATA or USB), so keying and the supported module type need to be checked.
- M2.5
- A metric screw thread size with a 2.5 mm nominal diameter. It matters for mounting because screws, standoffs, and holes must use the same size to fit securely without damaging the board.
- NVMe
- A high-speed storage standard commonly used by modern SSDs. NVMe support matters if you want faster storage for large AI models, video files or operating system images than a typical microSD card can provide.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board, usually rigid, with etched copper tracks that connect electronic components together without loose wiring. Components are mounted on the board and signals route between them through the copper layout.
- PCIe 3.0 x1
- PCIe 3.0 x1 is a high-speed internal expansion interface that uses a single PCI Express data lane of the 3.0 generation. When a board or expansion card lists PCIe 3.0 x1, the card and slot must physically and electrically match for the connection to work.
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