# Elecrow Pi 5 PCIe to M.2 NVMe board: specs

> Elecrow adapter board that joins the PCIe connector of a Raspberry Pi 5 to an M.2 M key slot for an NVMe drive.

[HTML version](https://soldr.ai/docs/boards/elecrow-pi5-m2-nvme-board)

[Docs](https://soldr.ai/docs) / [Boards](https://soldr.ai/docs/boards)

Elecrow adapter board that joins the PCIe connector of a Raspberry Pi 5 to an M.2 M key slot for an NVMe drive.

Every value cites its sourcePinout not published

[Buy on Compoden](https://compoden.com/products/raspberry-pi-5-pcie-to-m2-nvme-ssd-expansion-board-by-elecrow)

## Specs

| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe interface and M.2 M-Key interface | source Specification |
| Drive sizes | Supports SSD2280, 2340, 2242 (as written by the maker) | source Specification |
| Working input current | 3.3V 1.5A | source Specification |
| Dimensions | 56 mm x 85 mm | source Specification |
| Weight | 18.6 g | source Specification |
| Boot | Can boot the system from the NVMe SSD, or be used for storage only with the system booting from a TF card | source Description |
| Indicators | Dual LED indicators | source Description |
| In the box | 1 expansion board, 4 copper pillars, 1 flex cable | source Package List |
| Host PCIe link | Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe connector is Gen 2.0 x1 by default | source Raspberry Pi connector for PCIe |

## Power

| | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | 3.3 V, 1.5 A working input current (maker's figure) | source Specification |

## Pinout
We don't publish a pin table for this part: no official source we could verify gives one. Check the labels printed on your module, and see the notes below.

The maker page gives no pin table for the board; its flex cable joins the Pi 5 PCIe connector.

## Build with it
Project ideas for the Elecrow Pi 5 PCIe to M.2 NVMe board. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.

- [A Raspberry Pi 5 that boots from a 2280 NVMe SSD on an Elecrow adapter board](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20Raspberry%20Pi%205%20that%20boots%20from%20a%202280%20NVMe%20SSD%20on%20an%20Elecrow%20adapter%20board): The maker page lists 2280 drives as supported and describes booting from the NVMe SSD. Use the official 27 W supply for the Pi.
- [Pi 5 storage server](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20network%20file%20server%20on%20a%20Raspberry%20Pi%205%20with%20an%20NVMe%20SSD%20on%20an%20Elecrow%20adapter%20board): The maker says the SSD can be storage only while the system boots from a TF card, so the Pi can stay on a microSD card. Learning project for network sharing.
- [Pi 5 sensor database](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20temperature%20and%20pressure%20record%20keeper%20on%20a%20Raspberry%20Pi%205%20with%20a%20database%20on%20an%20NVMe%20SSD): The maker page notes a concave top that leaves the 40-pin GPIO header easy to reach, so an I2C sensor module can sit on the 3.3 V pins. Learning project.

## Common mistakes

- Sizing the supply from the drive's rated current. The maker notes that the 2.5 A or 3 A on an SSD label is the limit in X4 mode, and the Raspberry Pi 5 only supports X1 mode (source: [link](https://www.elecrow.com/raspberry-pi-5-pcie-to-m-2-nvme-ssd-solid-state-drive-expansion-board-supports-gen3-m-2-2280-ssd.html), Note).
- Expecting the Pi to see the drive on its own. If the board is not a Raspberry Pi HAT+ device (the maker page does not say it is), Raspberry Pi documentation says to add dtparam=pciex1 to config.txt; booting from it also needs BOOT_ORDER=0xf416 and PCIE_PROBE=1 ([source](https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#pcie)).
- Fitting a drive the board does not list. Check the maker's size list (2280, 2340, 2242 as written) against your drive before buying (source: [link](https://www.elecrow.com/raspberry-pi-5-pcie-to-m-2-nvme-ssd-solid-state-drive-expansion-board-supports-gen3-m-2-2280-ssd.html), Specification).

## Not covered by the official source

- No datasheet, schematic or wiki page for this board was found; the maker's product page is the only source, so the page is PARTIAL.
- The maker page lists the drive size '2340', which is not a standard M.2 length; it is shown as written.
- The maker page does not say whether the board follows the Raspberry Pi HAT+ specification.

## Sources

- [link](https://www.elecrow.com/raspberry-pi-5-pcie-to-m-2-nvme-ssd-solid-state-drive-expansion-board-supports-gen3-m-2-2280-ssd.html) (Elecrow product page for the board; maker's own page)
- [link](https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#pcie) (Raspberry Pi documentation, PCIe)