Lekuo B650 PCIe AIC Launches: 4 M.2 Slots for $88

Expanding storage and USB connectivity on a desktop previously required purchasing separate controller cards or relying on limited motherboard headers. Lekuo changes that equation by releasing a PCIe Add-in Card that acts as a dedicated southbridge for AMD B650 systems. This method allows users to expand their system without replacing the motherboard, benefiting builders who require additional drive bays or front-panel connectivity. The card is available in China starting August 3, 2024, priced at 599 CNY (around $88.49), offering a cost-effective alternative to dedicated expansion solutions.

Add-in card expands single slot into four M.2 and four SATA drives

The hardware relies on the AMD B650 chipset to manage the additional connections. It connects to the system via a single PCIe Gen4 x4 slot on the motherboard. This single connection carries the bandwidth for all attached devices, including four M.2 slots, four SATA III ports, and multiple USB ports. The card enables users to add substantial storage capacity to systems that lack native M.2 support.

Specifications

• Chipset: AMD B650
• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4
• M.2 Slots: 4x M.2 (PCIe)
• SATA Ports: 4x SATA III 6Gbps
• USB-C Ports: 1x USB-C 20Gbps, 1x USB-C 10Gbps

Storage flexibility serves as a primary feature of this expansion card. It provides four M.2 slots that support PCIe drives. The bandwidth allocation changes based on which slots you use. If you only fill the front slots, the card dedicates the full Gen4 x4 speed to them. Enabling the rear slots splits the bandwidth, reducing each rear drive to Gen4 x2 speeds. The card also includes four SATA III 6Gbps ports for traditional 2.5-inch drives.

Connectivity extends to USB with two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. One USB-C port supports 20Gbps speeds, while the other handles 10Gbps. The two USB-A ports also run at 10Gbps. The card draws power from the PCIe slot, but you must connect a 6-pin auxiliary power cable if you plan to use high-power USB devices. It measures 174mm in length and 69mm in height, fitting into half-height cases.

Lekuo lists the price at 599 CNY (around $88.49). It is available for purchase in China starting August 3, 2024. The card supports Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. We looked at MINISFORUM PCIE TO 4 Expansion Card earlier while tracking Lekuo launches. This product provides an affordable solution for adding modern storage and connectivity to systems requiring more resources than their motherboard offers.