Icy Dock ExpressSlot Elite interface card MB842MP-B — PCIe hot-swap 2.5 inch drive bay adapter, black/silver

The Icy Dock ExpressSlot Elite internal PCIe 5.0 to M.2 adapter card converts a desktop or server PCIe host slot into two removable M.2 NVMe drive bays. Designed for PCIe 5.0, the adapter supports up to 128 Gbit/s throughput and is backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 and 3.0. Its compact metal construction (171 × 120.8 × 21.6 mm) with black and silver finish fits standard expansion slots and provides a PCIe-powered, cable-free solution for integrating high-speed M.2 NVMe storage into workstations and servers.

Advantages

The ExpressSlot Elite delivers direct PCIe connectivity for low-latency, high-bandwidth NVMe performance, eliminating external cabling and potential bottlenecks. Tool-less removable drive trays speed up SSD swaps and maintenance, while EMI grounding and anti-vibration technology protect drives from static and mechanical shock. The adapter’s PCIe-powered design and included thermal pad support reliable operation and simplified installation in constrained or multi-bay configurations.

Suitable for

• High-performance workstations and desktops requiring NVMe acceleration
• Servers and storage appliances needing hot-swappable M.2 bays
• AI/ML training systems and data-intensive compute nodes
• Content creation rigs and video editing systems with large scratch volumes
• IT maintenance environments that require frequent drive swaps

Key specifications

• Interface: PCIe host to M.2 NVMe output
• PCIe generation: PCIe 5.0 compatible; backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 and 3.0
• Maximum throughput: 128 Gbit/s
• Supported slot widths: x8/x16 (requires PCIe bifurcation to access both drives)
• Drive compatibility: M.2 NVMe sizes 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110
• Drive bays: dual removable M.2 trays with tool-less installation
• Mechanical dimensions: 171 × 120.8 × 21.6 mm
• Cooling: included thermal pad for heat dissipation
• Protection features: EMI grounding, Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT)
• Power: powered through PCIe slot (no external cables required)
• Color: black and silver

How to use

Install the ExpressSlot Elite into an available PCIe x8 or x16 slot on the host system that supports the required PCIe generation and bifurcation settings. Remove a drive tray, insert an M.2 NVMe SSD of a supported length, secure it with the tray’s tool-less mechanism, and slide the tray back into the adapter until it engages the eagle-hook locking system. Configure the host BIOS/UEFI for PCIe bifurcation if necessary to expose both M.2 devices to the operating system. The adapter is PCIe-powered and requires no separate power or data cables.

Recommendations

For best thermal performance, use the included thermal pad and maintain adequate chassis airflow. Verify motherboard BIOS/UEFI support for PCIe 5.0 and bifurcation modes before deployment, and consult the system vendor for optimal slot placement when installing multiple adapters side by side.