Geekworm X1002 PCIe to M.2 HAT NVMe SSD Bottom Board for Raspberry Pi 5 User Manual

1. Introduction

The Geekworm X1002 is a PCIe to M.2 HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) bottom board designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi 5. It enables the use of M.2 NVMe Solid State Drives (SSDs) with your Raspberry Pi 5, providing significantly faster storage performance compared to traditional microSD cards. This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your X1002 board.

2. Product Features

• Compatibility: Designed for Raspberry Pi 5 (2GB/4GB/8GB/16GB SBC).
• M.2 NVMe SSD Support: Compatible with M.2 Key-M NVMe SSDs of 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 lengths. (SSD not included).
• Powering: Powers directly from the FFC PCIe ribbon, providing a maximum of 5W continuous power. Requires a PD 27W power supply for Raspberry Pi 5 (not included).
• Cooling Solution: Supports the Raspberry Pi 5 official Active Cooler or third-party coolers like H505/H509.
• Data Transfer: Supports PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 for fast data transfer.
• Boot Support: Enables booting the Raspberry Pi 5 directly from the NVMe SSD.

3. What's in the Box

• 1 x Geekworm X1002 PCIe Peripheral Board
• Mounting Accessories (screws, spacers, FFC cable)

Note: Raspberry Pi 5, M.2 NVMe SSD, micro SD card, active cooler, and power supply are not included and must be purchased separately.

Image: The X1002 board with its accompanying screws, spacers, and FFC cable.

4. Specifications

5. Installation Guide

Follow these steps to install the Geekworm X1002 board with your Raspberry Pi 5. For a visual guide, please refer to the installation video below.

5.1. X1002 Board Assembly

1. Attach Spacers: Fix the four M2.5x5mm F/F spacers to the X1002 board.
2. Mount Raspberry Pi 5: Place the Raspberry Pi 5 board above the X1002 board, aligning the mounting holes. Secure it with four M2.5x10mm screws.
3. Connect FFC Cable: Carefully insert the FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) into the PCIe connectors on both the Raspberry Pi 5 and the X1002 board. Ensure the cable is oriented correctly: the side labeled "TO PI5" connects to the Raspberry Pi 5, and the side labeled "TO PIP" connects to the X1002. Lift the connector cover upwards, insert the FFC, then press the cover downwards firmly to secure.
4. Insert Micro SD Card: If you plan to use a micro SD card for initial setup or as primary storage, insert it into the Raspberry Pi 5's micro SD card slot.
5. Install NVMe SSD: Insert your M.2 Key-M NVMe 2280 SSD into the M.2 socket on the X1002 board. Secure it with an M2x4mm screw. The X1002 supports 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 length NVMe SSDs. Ensure your SSD is Key-M NVMe and not Key-B or Key-B&M SATA.
6. Install Active Cooler (Optional): If using an active cooler, plug its fan connector into the appropriate header on the Raspberry Pi 5 and fix the cooler in place. The X1002 design allows for the use of the official Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler or compatible third-party coolers.

Image: Visual steps for mounting the X1002 board, connecting the FFC cable, and installing the NVMe SSD.

Image: Diagram illustrating the correct orientation for connecting the FFC cable between the Raspberry Pi 5 and the X1002 board.

Image: Guide showing compatible M.2 Key-M NVMe SSDs and incompatible Key-B SATA SSDs.

5.2. Power Connection

Connect a compatible PD 27W power supply (not included) to your Raspberry Pi 5. The X1002 board draws power directly from the Raspberry Pi 5 via the FFC PCIe ribbon and supplementary pogo pins for large data transfers.

Image: Diagram showing the power input to the Raspberry Pi 5 and the power transfer to the X1002 board via FFC and pogo pins.

5.3. P580 Metal Case Installation (Optional)

If you are using the Geekworm P580 metal case, follow these additional steps:

1. Disassemble Case: Unscrew the four KM2.5x4mm screws from the P580 case and remove the top and bottom covers.
2. Replace Spacers: Replace the four M2.5x5mm F/F spacers on the X1002 board with M2.5x6mm F/F spacers.
3. Insert Assembly into Case: Push the assembled X1002 and Raspberry Pi 5 kit into the P580 case, ensuring alignment with the bottom mounting holes. Fix the kit using four KM2.5x4mm screws.
4. Attach Case Covers: Put the top cover back on the P580 case and fix it with four KM2.5x4mm screws.
5. Apply Rubber Pads: Stick the four rubber pads at the bottom of the P580 case for stability.

6. Operating Instructions

6.1. Booting from NVMe SSD

To boot your Raspberry Pi 5 from the NVMe SSD, you will need to configure the Raspberry Pi's EEPROM and potentially the config.txt file. Detailed instructions for this process are available on the official Raspberry Pi documentation and the Geekworm Wiki.

• Initial Setup: Typically, you will need to boot from a micro SD card first to update the Raspberry Pi's EEPROM firmware to support NVMe boot.
• EEPROM Configuration: Modify the BOOT_ORDER in the EEPROM configuration to prioritize booting from NVMe. For example, BOOT_ORDER=0xf216 sets the boot order to NVMe, SD card, Network, then Restart.
• PCIe Lane Speed: For optimal performance, add dtparam=pciex1 to the /boot/firmware/config.txt file. Optionally, you can specify the PCIe generation, e.g., dtparam=pciex1_gen=3 for PCIe Gen 3 speeds.

Refer to the Geekworm Wiki for X1002 for the most up-to-date and detailed software setup instructions.

7. Maintenance

• Keep the board and connected components free from dust and debris.
• Ensure proper ventilation, especially if using a case, to prevent overheating of the Raspberry Pi 5 and NVMe SSD.
• Handle the board with care to avoid physical damage to components or connectors.
• Regularly check for firmware updates for your Raspberry Pi 5, as these may include improvements for PCIe and NVMe compatibility.

8. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your X1002 board, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• NVMe SSD Not Recognized:
  • Ensure the NVMe SSD is correctly seated in the M.2 Key-M socket and secured with the screw.
  • Verify that your SSD is an NVMe (Key-M) type and not a SATA (Key-B or Key-B&M) SSD, as the X1002 only supports NVMe.
  • Check the FFC cable connection between the Raspberry Pi 5 and the X1002 board. Ensure it is fully inserted and the connector latches are closed.
  • Confirm that your Raspberry Pi 5's EEPROM firmware is updated to support NVMe boot.
  • Try a different NVMe SSD if possible, to rule out a faulty drive.
• Power Issues:
  • Ensure you are using a compatible PD 27W power supply for the Raspberry Pi 5. Insufficient power can lead to instability or non-recognition of peripherals.
  • Check the connection of the power supply to the Raspberry Pi 5.
• Physical Assembly Issues:
  • Double-check all screw and spacer connections to ensure they are secure but not overtightened.
  • Verify that all components are correctly aligned and no pins are bent.

For further troubleshooting and frequently asked questions, please visit the Geekworm Wiki for X1002.

9. Warranty and Support

Geekworm products are designed for reliability and performance. For warranty information, technical support, and additional resources, please visit the official Geekworm website or contact their customer service directly. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty claims.

Official Geekworm Website: www.geekworm.com