
PRODUCT DETAILS
Expansion Board
› HARDWARE OVERVIEW
- The X1003 connects an M.2 NVMe SSD (2230 or 2242 sizes) to the Pi 5’s PCIe 2.0 x1 interface, delivering speeds up to ~500 MB/s—far surpassing microSD cards (~50-100 MB/s) or USB 3.0 drives (~300-400 MB/s shared). This is perfect for “fast, compact NVMe for space-efficient builds,” like booting the OS, running a lightweight server, or handling rapid data tasks.
- At just $15, it’s one of the smallest and cheapest PCIe NVMe solutions, mounting under the Pi 5 with a short 22mm FFC cable. It fits snugly with the official Pi 5 case and Active Cooler (after removing the fan layer), making it ideal for tight, minimalist setups—think portable gadgets or embedded systems.
- Unlike some bulkier NVMe boards, the X1003 is designed to work with the Pi 5’s Active Cooler, ensuring thermal performance isn’t compromised. This suits compact builds needing both speed and cooling without extra bulk.
- It includes an ACT LED for SSD activity (on for power, flashing for read/write) and supports GPIO power alongside FFC, enhancing reliability for small NVMe drives. It’s a no-frills, plug-and-play option for space-conscious tinkerers.
› APPLICATIONS
The X1003 expansion board is ideal for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts looking to push the boundaries of their projects with enhanced data processing and storage capabilities. It's perfect for applications requiring high-speed data access and storage, such as media servers, file servers, and advanced computing projects involving machine learning and data analysis. The board allows for customization in terms of SSD choices, enabling users to select their preferred storage capacity and speed within the 2242 form factor. With this expansion, tinkerers can develop cutting-edge robotics projects or sophisticated AI models that require significant data throughput and storage space. Demonstrations of high-level builds, such as autonomous robots or real-time data analysis systems, can serve as inspiration for enthusiasts to explore new project ideas.
› DOCUMENTATION
Below are the relevant documentation resources for this product. Expand this section to view the links.