“I am all set with the NVME, currently booting from it.
It has been a few decades since I worked in unix/linux environments and the NVME is new to me.
I look forward to learning more.
Thank you for your quick reply to my support query with the excellent link for the setup
David”
“I have been a Pi fan since version 1, all the way up to 5. This drive +base is quite a game changer. Easy to fit, noticably faster than SD Cards and so far very reliable. Its great to have this big storage, but even better to have the speed. I am not goingg back to SD cards. Thanks!”
“I used it with a 512Gb 2280 (longer) NMVe SSD stick (as a Pimorini bundle) and it all fits great.
Even better, you can mount the "base" either under the Pi or as a hat, over the standard cooler, just flip the base over and the orientation of the cable is still correct. Some sort of pirate magic going on, I reckon. Anyway, the photos might make things a bit clearer.
The connecting ribbon still fits (just) but (it gets better and better) Pimoroni also sell those flat curved cables (pipes) in either the original 30mm length and also 50mm length so give you some breathing room. I've bought a couple of both in case I decide to change things around.
One caveat to mounting the NVMe base *underneath* the Pi, is that your Pi will no longer fit a standard case (with all those pesky LAN/HDMI/USB cutouts) because your Pi PCB is now higher. I've 3D printed my own case for now (even though I mounted it as a hat), but I might change things around in the future. There are *some* cases out there that don't assume your Pi mounts on the base of the case, but few and far between.
All in all, my Pi 5 now really flies with this upgrade; its probably the first Pi which really allows me to use the Pi desktop without wondering when the mouse pointer will catch up to my actual position. Google browser also runs almost as well as on PC/MAC, even though I have a few tabs open (just as welll I got the 8Gb Pi 5, hey?)
Well done, Pimoroni!”
“First time I've bought from Pimoroni and I'm extremely happy with the service. Fast delivery and well packaged. I bought the Pi5 with cooler and NVMe and it works perfectly first boot - I've never seen a raspi run this quickly!
Easy to assmebly with very comprehensive instructions and good support should it ever be needed.
I was impressed with the quantity of spares shipped with the base as normally they are not required however I carelessly lost one of screws so its was nice to have a replacement - thank you!”
“Extremely well put together and easy to assemble.
For some reason my WiFi connection has stopped working since fitting (on Ubuntu 24.04), so will have to investigate. Not a biggie, as it still connects through a usb dongle.”
