Purchasing an NVMe storage device
Purchasing an NVMe storage device
Hello, I currently own a Gigabyte B450 Gaming X model and had an SSD and three HDDs installed. My system runs a Ryzen 5 2600, and I wanted to verify compatibility with the Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB mentioned on Newegg. I also noted previous problems with PCIe and SATA NVMe connections, especially after seeing discrepancies in images. The motherboard manual specifies a single M.2 slot (Socket 3, M key) supporting up to four SSDs via PCIe 3.0, which matches the revision listed. This should align with the product page. Thanks for your assistance.
Under the least likely scenario of DOA, defect, or damage, a 970 EVO should function properly in that board.
Another choice to think about is the Intel 660p. Compared to the Samsung 970 EVO, the latter performs better when writing data to the disk, particularly as capacity nears full. On the other hand, the Intel 660p usually excels at reading files and retrieving random information. The Intel 660p is generally more affordable, though prices can vary based on current offers. I purchased a 1TB version for $99 and have been satisfied. Cheers
I’d avoid the 660p and most 1TB or smaller QLC NVMe SSDs. They rely heavily on their empty spaces for SLC caching, making them fast when the drive is only halfway full. Beyond that point, especially around 65% capacity, the remaining space shrinks drastically, causing the drive to revert to slower QLC performance (write speeds even worse than a traditional hard drive). I also need to note QLC’s durability limits, though I don’t see it affecting everyday use much. After over a year on my QLC unit, I expect its lifespan to drop significantly—well beyond 12 more years at current usage. A better option would be something like the Inland Premium, which uses TLC and has no QLC issues. For price, it matches the Samsung 970 EVO nicely.
If I had understood this earlier, I might have taken a different path too. Appreciate the info! Cheers