1. They say the M.2 2280 SSD uses a SATA ACHI interface and a U.2 drive uses a PCIe NVMe interface. 2. The M.2 2280 SSDs I look at are listed as being PCIe NVMe drives. 3. I'm trying to decide between the Samsung 970 EVO or EVO+ and the WD Black SN750. 4. Assuming the WD Black is compatible, would the heatsink version fit? ============================= 1. No . First, ignore any talk of U.2, you want M.2 . You want a M.2 (2280) PCIe NVMe SSD 512gb M.2 (slot form factor) 2280 (SSD width/length in mm, so SSD fits on motherboard-space provided and hold-down screw fits) PCIe (interface) NVMe (protocol) 2. Correct 3. Get a M.2 (2280) PCIe NVMe SSD 512gb Samsung SSD . A EVO, EVO+, or Pro. . I don't think power-users actually buy WD-SSD (they mainly make spinning-platter drives). Samsung, Kingston, Intel ... get one of popular/name-brand SSDs. 512gb should be fine for all Windows, all Apps, scratch Adobe work-space, some data-files for current projects, and even a few games. You can clone/image with Macrium-Reflect or clean-install Windows-10 to C-Drive. He should eventually save/move completed Adobe projects, music, videos, etc. to D-drive (a spinning-HDD or a 2.5inch SATA-3/600 SSD is even better). That is more of a sustainable storage strategy for long-term use. You will always have room on C-drive for things that actually need to be saved there (see above). 4. I doubt a SSD with a tall heat-sink will fit under video-card. Please download and read Aurora-R7 Service Manual PDF.
I'm trying to figure out which SSDs are compatible with my son's R7.  The storage specs are confusing. They say the M.2 2280 SSD uses a SATA ACHI interface and a U.2 drive uses a PCIe NVMe interface. The M.2 2280 SSDs I look at are listed as being PCIe NVMe drives. I'm trying to decide between the Samsung 970 EVO or EVO+ and the WD Black SN750. Assuming the WD Black is compatible, would the heatsink version fit? Thanks.
Aurora R7, compatible SSDs