PRODUCT DETAILS
Expansion Board
› HARDWARE OVERVIEW
- Like the X872, the X873 connects an M.2 NVMe SSD to the Raspberry Pi 4 via USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), vastly outpacing the Pi’s microSD slot or USB 2.0 options. It’s designed for NAS setups, OS booting, or media servers, delivering real-world speeds of 350-500 MB/s with a good SSD.
- The X873 adds a power management chip (TPS65988) to fix compatibility problems with certain NVMe SSDs. It also includes a jumper for enabling/disabling SSD power, enhancing control.
- It mounts under the Pi 4 via a USB 3.1 jumper, supports SSD sizes (2280, 2260, 2242, 2230) up to 2TB, and leaves GPIO free for other HATs. An optional 5V DC input powers both the Pi and SSD, ensuring stability for high-current setups—perfect for compact, performance-driven projects.
- For tasks like real-time data logging, high-res media streaming, or running a lightweight server, the X873’s NVMe speed (low latency, high throughput) and reliability shine. Booting the Pi’s OS from an SSD also slashes load times compared to microSD.
› APPLICATIONS
The X873 V2.0 M.2 NVMe SSD Expansion Board is ideal for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts and professionals looking to significantly enhance their Pi's storage speed and capacity. It's perfect for applications requiring high-speed data processing and storage, such as network-attached storage (NAS) systems, high-speed data logging, real-time data analysis, and edge computing devices. Its compatibility with various NVMe SSD sizes allows users to customize their setup based on storage needs. Developers can leverage this speed for AI and machine learning projects, where fast data retrieval and storage are crucial. Furthermore, its passive cooling system ensures that the system can handle continuous operation under heavy loads without thermal throttling, making it suitable for intensive computing tasks.
› DOCUMENTATION
Below are the relevant documentation resources for this product. Expand this section to view the links.