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ExpressSlot Slide MB204MP-1B

Removable 4 Bay M.2 NVMe SSD to PCIe 4.0 x16 Mobile Rack Enclosure/Adapter Card for PCIe Expansion Slot (PCIe Bifurcation required)
Product Details
  • Introducing the innovative Removable 4 x M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD Mobile Rack Adapter Card, ExpressSlot Slide MB204MP-1B, designed for the PCIe 4.0 x16 Expansion Slot. Achieve remarkable data transfer speeds of up to 64Gbps per drive. By utilizing motherboards with PCIe Bifurcation capability (x4, x4, x4, x4 for a x16 slot), the MB204MP-1B allows users to quickly add or remove four independent M.2 NVMe SSDs through a single PCIe x16 slot. This product is the first mobile rack enclosure enabling easy addition and removal of 4 M.2 NVMe SSDs directly on a PCIe adapter card. Ideal for environments requiring high-density M.2 NVMe SSD installations in limited space, the MB204MP-1B ensures quick maintenance, upgrades, and drive replacement. This makes it perfect for applications such as data centers, high-performance computing, and enterprise storage solutions, where space efficiency and ease of access are crucial.
  • Effortless SSD Tray Removal Design
    The newly designed removable M.2 SSD tray of the MB204MP-1B offers a compact and space-saving solution. Its quick-release knob is ergonomically designed for easy operation. Users can swiftly open the side panel of their computer case and slide the quick-release knob to the left to extract the M.2 SSD tray with minimal effort. This entire process takes less than a minute, providing a significant improvement in convenience compared to traditional M.2 adapter cards, which require the removal of the adapter card from the motherboard and unscrewing the M.2 SSD.
  • Quick & Tool-Free SSD Access
    The MB204MP-1B is equipped with removable drive trays that allow tool-less drive removal and installation. Simply unlock the quick-release knob to release the drive tray and access the M.2 NVMe SSDs without dealing with any tools or screws. Each M.2 slot is compatible with various M.2 drive lengths from 30mm to 80mm (2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280).
  • Advanced Cooling Mechanism for Superior Performance
    The MB204MP-1B incorporates an advanced cooling mechanism to maintain the optimal operating temperature of M.2 NVMe SSDs. Each removable drive tray features an aluminum heatsink lid that efficiently dissipates heat generated by the SSDs. The included thermal pads ensure effective heat transfer from the SSDs to the aluminum heatsink, maximizing cooling efficiency. Additionally, the airflow design channels air through the system, expelling hot air quickly and maintaining a cool environment for the SSDs. The unit is equipped with a 50mm blower fan to enhance cooling further. For systems with adequate cooling or environments requiring minimal noise, the MB204MP-1B includes a fan on/off switch, allowing users to disable the fan as needed.
  • Superior PCIe 4.0 Performance
    The advantage of utilizing the PCIe 4.0 interface is that it provides power and data through a single PCIe slot, reducing the system’s cable clutter. In addition, the blazing-fast 64Gbps transfer speed is significantly faster than SATA III, making it an ideal solution for data-intensive applications such as machine learning, cloud computing, data mining, or even image processing.
  • Individual Drive Status Indicators
    The MB204MP-1B is equipped with LED indicators on the PCIe faceplate to show the status of drive power and activity. The LEDs will automatically power off when no drive is detected to save energy.
  • The MB204MP-1B is compatible with Intel® VROC (Virtual RAID-on-CPU) function and AMD PCIe 4.0 NVMe RAID, allowing you to create bootable RAID 0/1/5/10 array with up to four M.2 NVMe 4.0 SSDs without needing a pricey RAID controller card. In addition, the removable SSD tray design allows you to swap SSDs without unmounting the MB204MP-1B from the PCIe slot, making drive maintenance a more efficient and straightforward process.

    Note: MB204MP-1B acts as a bridge between the host (motherboard) and drive. The RAID function is subject to the motherboard design and requirements.
Main Features
Fits 4x M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD from 30-80mm (2230, 2242, 2260, 2280)
   

Uses 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (PCIe Bifurcation x4, x4, x4, x4 for PCIe 16x is required to access four drives)

   
Installs to a single-width full-height PCIe express slot
   
Removable drive tray with tool-less drive installation for easy drive maintenance
   
Quick release knob design allows for fast and easy SSD removal and installation
   
Fan on/off switch provides flexibility for systems with sufficient cooling or noise-sensitive environments
   
Active-Power Technology (APT) – saves power by shutting the device when no drive is installed
   
PCIe interface provides power and data transfer to reduce cable clutter
   
The included thermal pad conducts heat from the SSD to the aluminum heatsink lid
   
Industry-leading 5-year limited warranty against all defects
   
Complimentary support from a professionally trained US-based technical support agent
   

Specification
Model Number : MB204MP-1B
 Color : Black
Support Drive Size : M / B + M key M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD 2230/2242/2260/2280
Compatible Drive Type : M.2 PCIe 3.0/4.0/5.0 NVMe SSD
Number of Drives : 4
Drive Bay : 1 x PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 x16 expansion slot
(motherboard required PCIe x16 slots bifurcated into x4/x4/x4/x4)
Host Interface : PCIe 4.0 x16
Power Input : 1 x PCIe golden finger
Transfer Rate : PCIe 4.0 x4 up to 64Gbps per SSD
Support SSD Capacity : No limitation
Drive Cooling : 1 x 50mm blower fan
Structure / Materia : Metal IO bracket/cover with PCBA and plastic shield
Product Dimension (W x H x D) : 126.9 x 21.59 x 204.5 mm
Product Net Weight : 229g
Package Gross Weight : 370g
Drive Activity LED Indication : Device power: solid green
Device activity: flashing green
Empty: LED off
Package Contents : Device, user manual, thermal pads, M.2 SSD mounting clips, screws
Connector Insertion Rate : 5,000
Humidity : 5%~65% RH
Operating Temperature : 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F)
Storage Temperature : -35°C to 70°C (-31°F to 158°F)
Compliance : CE, RoHS, REACH
Warranty : 5 years


Related Products:

Related Products Series:

  • NVMe Enclosures
  • Space-Saving Enclosures
FAQ

Q: How can I ensure my motherboard is compatible with the MB204MP-B/MB204MP-1B and can detect and read the four NVMe SSDs installed in it?

A: Your motherboard must meet the following criteria to recognize and read four NVMe SSDs:


  1. The motherboard must support PCIe Bifurcation, which splits a single PCIe x16 slot into multiple channels. For example, to divide into four PCIe x4 lanes (x4/x4/x4/x4) to support four M.2 NVMe SSDs.
  2. The combination of your motherboard and CPU must provide enough PCIe lanes to support all PCIe devices installed on the motherboard (including M.2 NVMe SSDs in M.2 slots).
  3. The PCIe slot you use for installing the MB204MP-B/MB204MP-1B must have enough PCIe lanes and be correctly configured with PCIe Bifurcation.

Key Tip: The availability of PCIe lanes depends on your motherboard and CPU specifications, as well as how many PCIe SSDs and other devices you have installed. Therefore, we cannot guarantee compatibility with the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B based solely on a compatibility list. We strongly recommend consulting your motherboard supplier to confirm how many PCIe lanes are available in your system and whether any remaining empty PCIe slots can fully support the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B with four M.2 NVMe SSDs.


If you're unable to obtain this information from your motherboard supplier, you can follow the steps below to verify compatibility yourself (applies to Asus, ASRock, and AORUS motherboards only).



Step 1: Open the motherboard compatibility list and locate your motherboard model.



Step 2: Once you find your motherboard model, check the PCIe slot that can support the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B based on the CPU you are using. You need a PCIe slot that supports 4(x4+x4+x4+x4) to detect four M.2 NVMe SSDs. If your PCIEX16_1 slot is already occupied by another PCIe device, such as a GPU or RAID card, then PCIEX16_2 and PCIEX16_3 will only be able to utilize the remaining PCIe lanes. Refer to the PCIe lanes distribution for different configurations to identify the appropriate PCIe slot based on your motherboard model, CPU type, and current PCIe slot usage, and find the slot where you can install the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B. The example below uses the ASUS AMD CROSSHAIR VII HERO to help you better understand how to use this compatibility list.


Example:
For the ASUS AMD CROSSHAIR VII HERO, if you are using AMD Ryzen 1000 Series/ 2000 Series/ 3000 Series/5000 Series Processors CPUs, the PCIEX16_1 slot on the motherboard can support the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B and works four M.2 NVMe SSDs. However, if you are using an AMD Ryzen™ 5000 G-Series/ 4000 G-Series processors CPUs, the PCIEX16_1 slot on the motherboard can only works three M.2 NVMe SSDs in the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B. For AMD Ryzen 2000 G-Series/ 3000 G-Series/ 7th Generation A-Series/ Athlon X4 Series processors CPUs, the PCIEX16_1 slot on the motherboard can only works two M.2 NVMe SSDs in the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B.






For PCIe slots that do not support the installation of four M.2 NVMe SSDs: Depending on the combination of the motherboard, CPU, and the number of PCIe lanes available for each slot, the number of M.2 NVMe SSDs that can be read by the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B may vary. Please refer to the instructions below to ensure that the M.2 NVMe SSDs are installed in the correct positions, ensuring proper functionality of the SSDs.

If the corresponding PCIe slot on the motherboard compatibility chart is marked as 1(x4), 1(x8), or 1(x16), it indicates that the slot supports only one SSD. Please install the SSD in the slot indicated by the blue arrow in the diagram.


If marked as 2(x4+x4), it indicates that the PCIe slot supports two SSDs. Please install the SSDs in the slots indicated by the blue arrows in the diagram.


If marked as 2(x8+x8), it indicates that the PCIe slot supports two SSDs. Please install the SSDs in the slots indicated by the blue arrows in the diagram.


If marked as 3(x8+x4+x4), it indicates that the PCIe slot supports three SSDs. Please install the SSDs in the slots indicated by the blue arrows in the diagram.


Important Notes:

  1. The method to check compatibility with Intel motherboards follows the same steps as the AMD example above.
  2. PCIe slots share PCIe lanes, and the PCIe Bifurcation mode varies based on the PCIe slot's position. Not all empty PCIe slots have enough lanes for the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B. If you have already installed devices such as GPUs, RAID, or HBA adapter cards, please check whether the remaining PCIe slots can support the MB204MP-B / MB204MP-1B.

 

To report a compatible or incompatible motherboard, or to check the compatibility of a motherboard not listed, please click here


Q: The system does not detect the M.2 SSD I installed in the ICY DOCK enclosure. What should I do?

A: Since the M.2 SSD is not designed for hot-swapping, we highly recommend powering off the device/system before inserting or removing an M.2 SSD. If the system is still unable to detect the drive, follow the steps below to scan for new hardware manually:

 

Windows 11 / Windows 10 / Windows 8 – In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, and click it from the menu. Once the device manager window pops up, right-click on the disk drive icon, and click scan for hardware changes.

 

Windows 7 – Right-click on the computer icon on the desktop, select properties, click device manager, right-click on the disk drive icon and then click scan for hardware changes.


Image result for disk drive scan for hardware changes

 


Q: I'm having the difficulties closing the lid of the drive tray and unable to insert the drive tray all the way to the drive enclosure after placing the M.2 SSD onto the drive tray.

A: Make sure to lock the M.2 SSD with the adjustable M.2 locker. The tray lid will not close properly if the M.2 locker is not fully secured. If you are having difficulty secure the M.2 locker or close the cover, the M.2 SSD you are using may not follow the standard M.2 SSD thickness, which is less than 1.5mm height for each side with a total height that does not exceed 3.8mm. Using the M.2 SSD with non-standard thickness will cause improper tension on the M.2 locker and tray lid and make the M.2 connector misaligned. If you are having issues inserting the drive tray to the enclosure, please stop the operation immediately and check the drive thickness to ensure it follows the standard M.2 SSD thickness - less than 1.5mm height for each side and less than 3.8mm for total height.

Metal heat dissipation sticker

 

Note: Some M.2 SSD uses a metal heat dissipation sticker that causes each side's thickness more than the 1.5mm. Remove the sticker will solve the problem, but do it at your own risk (might void the warranty of SSD)

 

ICY DOCK enclosure is design to be compatible with M.2 SSD that has standard thickness. We highly recommend checking the drive thickness before purchase, and please refer to the incompatible M.2 SSD list below for further information:

 

M.2 NVMe SSDs known to be incompatible due to physical fitment with ICY DOCK enclosure:


 

Please contact tech@icydock.com if the problem persists so we can resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Click here to report a compatible/incompatible M.2 SSD.


Q: I want to see the drive status from the front panel on PC case/chassis. What should I do?

A: There is a 2-pin front panel header(s) on the PCBA of the product. The drive status can be displayed from the front panel after connecting the front I/O wire to the corresponding 2-pin header of the product. For detailed connected methods, please refer to the user manual of the PC case/chassis.

Drive Status LED Indication
Power Solid Light
Drive Access Flashing Light

Note: The I/O wire connected to the PC case/chassis are not included in the product package.


Q:When I install the card to my system, my system refuses to boot or go into BIOS?

A:Check to see if there are any BIOS updates for the motherboard of the system. A few restarts after updating BIOS may be needed before MB204MP-1B is usable. Follow the instructions on BIOS updates with the manufacturer of the motherboard. If issue still persist after BIOS update, please contact us.


Related Articles

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PCIe bifurcation is the process of splitting a single physical PCIe slot into multiple lane configurations, allowing multiple devices to be connected to a single PCIe slot on the motherboard. This is typically done in the BIOS/UEFI settings of your motherboard.

TAA Compliance and ICY DOCK Products

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