How to Choose SSDs Based on Different Speeds?
In the current market, SSDs come with varying speed specifications. These speeds range from 1500MB/s to 150,000MB/s. Speed depends on factors like interface, supported channels, and product positioning. So, how should you choose?
If you’re using a PCIe 3.0 platform, to avoid wasting performance, you should opt for a PCIe 3.0 SSD. Products like the Kioxia EXCERIA G2 RC20 have a good overall reputation. While the latest platforms have upgraded to PCIe 5.0, PCIe 4.0 SSDs are still the mainstream choice right now. They offer adequate performance with lower prices and better cooling requirements. If your budget allows, a product with speeds around 7000MB/s would be the ideal choice. For regular office work and gaming, SSDs with 4500/5000MB/s speeds will work similarly, but they are generally much cheaper.
As for capacity, 512GB is enough if you’re using it as a system drive. Still, 1TB doesn’t cost much more. Game folder sizes are getting larger. It’s recommended to start with at least 1TB. If your budget allows, 2TB is also a great choice.
WD Blue SN5000 1TB
If you’re looking for a high-performance SSD from a reputable brand, the WD Blue SN5000 1TB is definitely worth considering. This model is part of Western Digital’s new four-digit series and serves as an upgraded version of the SN580.
The SN5000 comes in a standard 2280 form factor with a single-sided design, offering excellent compatibility with most systems. It features a SanDisk controller paired with Bisc5 3D TLC NAND flash, and supports HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology.
In terms of performance, it delivers sequential read speeds of up to 5000MB/s. It also provides write speeds of up to 4900MB/s. The 4K random read/write speeds reach 730K/770K IOPS. It also boasts an impressive endurance rating of 600TBW. This makes it highly reliable for daily tasks. It is excellent for large game installations and high-definition video workloads.
The SN5000 offers a noticeable performance upgrade compared to the SN580 1TB. It maintains a similar price point. As a result, it provides users with better value for money and improved overall performance.
Seagate FireCuda 520 1TB
The Seagate FireCuda 520 1TB is built with the Phison E16 controller. The NAND chip source may vary slightly by batch. This SSD offers sequential read speeds of up to 5000MB/s. It also provides sequential write speeds up to 4850MB/s. This means there is a noticeable performance gap compared to higher-end 7000MB/s models.
Nonetheless, the FireCuda 520 still stands out due to its 5-year limited warranty. It also offers a solid endurance rating of 600TBW. This provides users with greater peace of mind about data security and long-term reliability.
Kingston KC3000 1TB
The Kingston KC3000 1TB is powered by the Phison PS5018-E18 controller and comes equipped with 1GB of DRAM cache. It delivers blazing-fast performance with sequential read speeds of up to 7000MB/s. The drive also offers sequential write speeds up to 6000MB/s. These features allow quick system boot-ups, fast software loading, and efficient large file transfers.
The KC3000 features a low-profile graphene-aluminum heatsink. It leverages graphene’s excellent thermal conductivity. This property rapidly transfers heat from the chip to the heatsink surface. This prevents thermal throttling during heavy workloads. It also makes the drive well-suited for laptops and other space-constrained devices where efficient cooling is essential.