M.2 NVMe SSD
Also: M.2 SSD
A small, very fast storage stick that plugs straight into the motherboard. Model files load from it quickly.
The fuller definition
An M.2 NVMe SSD is a small, fast storage drive that plugs directly into the motherboard. It stores model files and loads them into memory quickly.
- Slot
M.2 on the board
- Drive
Stores models
- Load
Seconds, not minutes
A simplified relationship, not a screenshot or a complete design.
A concrete example
A 2 TB NVMe drive holds dozens of model files and loads a 15 GB model in seconds.
The distinction that matters
Storage speed affects how quickly a model loads, not how fast it answers.
Related terms
Where it is taught
Understand the hardware a local model needsSource and further reading
Hugging Face · Model inference and quantizationThe definition and example are written for this library. The link gives background, official documentation or legal authority as labelled. Legal scope depends on the jurisdiction and current text; product features depend on release and settings.