Samsung SSDs: 2TB 970 EVO Plus $250, 1TB 970 EVO NVMe Expired

Got the 2TB 970 EVO Plus from samsungs website for $208.80 total with 5% off code (ref-90ek90) + 14% CB (Retailmenot) + 5% chase freedom through paypal.

M.2 2280 (22 mm by 80mm) is the form factor and can make use of either the standard SATA interface or the faster PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface, but in both cases it plugs directly into the motherboard

According to your explanation, NVME/PCIX4 is the fastest slot you have. These NVME drives here in this post, the Samsungs (970 Evo/Evo Plus NVME M.2) are the appropriate drives for that slot. A Samsung Evo Plus M.2 NVME is one of the fastest drives. And, NVME drives act faster if you buy a larger size, say 500Gb vs 2Tb, but you wont really notice probably.

That NVME/SATA1 means it can take either the fast PCI NVME M.2 drives or the slower (older tech) SATA drives (PCIe vs SATA). Don't bother with putting a SATA drive in there. Ignore that. They almost look the same but the SATA NVME has two notches instead of the PCIe which has one slot: B+M vs just M slot. Don't buy a B+M slot drive.

X4 means it uses 4 PCIe lanes. Most motherboards have one m.2 slot which is 4X and the other slot is only 2X. 2X is half the bandwidth and will bottleneck many fast NVME drives like these Samsungs. Usually, you want to use the first slot and make sure it is a PCIe 4X. Using the second slot might mean it is only 2x PCIe lanes and or it has to steal bandwidth from another component on your motherboard.

Using a traditional SATA cable and 2.5" SSD drive is still fast. But The speed is limited by the SATA interface. Its fine for most computer use. Computer use cases are highly personal meaning whether you would benefit much from going to a NVME from a 2.5" SATA is hard to say. Game loading times may increase. Moving large files may speed up. Video editing programs like the faster drives. The OS loves the increased IO (in outs) of the NVME.

Generally, the jump from a traditional mechanical hard drive to just about any SSD is HUGE! A jump from a 2.5" SATA to a M.2 PCIe NVME may not even be noticed.

If I can afford it, I drop in an NVME. On laptops, you can save battery power. Especially if you choose an NVME like the SK hynix Gold P31 NVME. That one is very energy efficient.

TLDR: fastest option here is 2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus (500Gb & 1Tb are plenty fast too), and put it in your first m.2 slot with X4 PCIe or the X4 slot that does not share resources with motherboard components like onboard SATA.

edit;
Whether your computer supports any particular brand or model hard drive is hard to say. There are lists of approved NVME drives motherboard manufacturers put out but are often outdated and short. There is a better chance of compatibility with more modern hardware, bios and sof wares. Check your manufacturers website compatibility list, maybe google your hardware and compatible NVME's. Or just give it a shot!

Blessings and lots of luck!

Same. Amazon didn't price match my return. No problem sending it back.