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...
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
- A compact edge-connector format commonly used to plug small modules into a carrier board without soldering. On this product it is the physical connector used by the MicroMod system, so compatibility with the matching processor board is important.
- 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 is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- PCIe 3.0 x1
- A high-speed internal computer expansion connection using one PCI Express data lane. It matters because the expansion board must physically and electrically match the LattePanda IOTA’s PCIe connector to work.
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