NVMe Base for Raspberry Pi 5

Add super-fast NVMe storage to your Raspberry Pi 5 for lightning-fast boots, snappy applications, and NAS builds. NVMe Base is a PCIe extension board that mounts under your Pi for a compact, high-performance storage solution.

Simply install an M-key NVMe SSD (2230 to 2280 sizes supported) and connect via the included PCIe flat flex cable. Following Raspberry Pi's official PIP design guidelines, NVMe Base ensures long-term compatibility with Raspberry Pi OS updates.

Key Features

• PCIe Storage – Add fast NVMe storage with speeds up to 800MB/s read
• M.2 M-Key Slot – Supports 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 SSDs
• Compact Design – Mounts under your Pi 5 with included standoffs
• HAT Compatible – Includes pass-through bolts for stacking with HATs
• Boot Support – Boot directly from NVMe for faster startup

Ideal For

• File servers and NAS builds
• Media centres (Plex, Jellyfin)
• High-IOPS applications and databases
• Anyone wanting faster storage than microSD

Package Contents

• 1× NVMe Base PCB with M.2 Slot (M-Key)
• 1× PCIe Pipe Flat Flex Cable
• 4× Rubber feet
• 1× M2 bolt and 2× nuts for SSD mounting
• 4× 7mm M2.5 standoffs for base mounting
• 8× Short M2.5 bolts for base mounting
• 4× Long M2.5 bolts for pass-through HAT mounting

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 (500GB/1TB)
• Team MP33
• WD Black SN750 SE

Getting Started

1. Update firmware to 2023-12-06 or newer via sudo raspi-config → Advanced Options → Bootloader Version → Latest
2. For PCIe 3.0 speeds, add dtparam=pciex1_gen=3 to /boot/firmware/config.txt
3. Format drive using Raspberry Pi Imager
4. Enable NVMe boot via sudo raspi-config → Advanced Options → Boot Order → NVMe/USB

Resources

• Getting Started Guide (Pimoroni)
• Installation Video
• Dimensional Drawing (PDF)
• Benchmark Results (pibenchmarks.net)