A Look at Different Types of Form Factors

In computing, “form factor” is a catch-all term that can have a few different meanings. When describing hardware, form factor refers to the size, arrangement, and configuration of a specific device or a component of a device, such as a motherboard. Form factor can also mean the footprint of a freestanding computer or the size of memory necessary for a software program to run. The form factor of a device will have a significant impact on the kind of memory card chosen for it, as the size of the form factor will limit the size of the memory card it can accommodate. There are also different types of form factors for solid-state drives, or SSDs, that are used for memory. Here is a look at the most common types of form factors for SSDs.

Disk Drive Form Factor

Disk drive form factors are very common. For SSDs, disk drive form factors come in a variety of heights and thicknesses, but the 2.5” SSD form factor is the most common. With a disk drive form factor, many different interfaces are available, including SATA III, mSATA, and IDE/PATA. The popularity of these disk drive form factors with SATA interfaces is due to the fact that they have very low power demands. This makes them ideal for mobile devices that require a long battery life.

PCIe Card Form Factor

PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect express and refers to SSDs that use the PCI bus as an interface. PCIe cards offer high levels of speed and reliability for SSDs, and they are particularly popular for industrial users seeking a high-speed, non-SATA memory solution. PCIe card form factors are increasing in popularity, especially among users looking for a future-proof solution to their needs.

USB Drive Form Factor

USBs are familiar to most people, as they are as common in the consumer market as they are in the industrial market. These form factors can take the shape of an embedded USB or of a portable device. USB drive form factors are small, and when designed with SLC flash memory, they are appropriate for industrial use.

For more information about different types of form factors or advice on which memory will be best for your device, contact Delkin. Our team can provide extensive support from the time you select your embedded memory throughout the lifespan of your device. Call us today for more information.

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