The Best Cheap 1 TB NVMEs Tested!

Summary

In this video, the performance of several NVMe drives (Time Tech, Patriot, Silicone Power, and Team Group) is tested through sequential and random write/read speed benchmarks. The results show Time Tech excelling in sequential read speeds, while Silicone Power stands out in random read/write tests. Team Group performs well with fast sequential reads, and Patriot remains consistent but lags behind in random access. Despite similar specs, these drives demonstrated varied real-world performance, with Silicone Power emerging as the leader in random operations, and Time Tech impressing with fast reads. The video also includes insights on firmware and warranty details.

Takeaways

• 😀 TimeTech M810 NVMe drive surprised with excellent read speed, performing beyond expectations compared to other drives in the test.
• 😀 TimeTech's random read/write performance was decent, with random write at 700 MB/s and random read at 599 MB/s.
• 😀 The Patriot P300 performed in the middle of the pack with a read speed of 2167 MB/s and write speed of 280 MB/s.
• 😀 Despite being slower in random read/write speeds, the Patriot drive was noted for its consistency and solid overall performance.
• 😀 Silicone Power drive excelled in random read/write speeds, taking the lead in these areas with random read at 1164 MB/s and random write at 859 MB/s.
• 😀 The Silicone Power NVMe demonstrated a fast read speed of 3536 MB/s and write speed of 2829 MB/s, outperforming competitors in these categories.
• 😀 Team Group MP33 had strong read performance, hitting 3551 MB/s, but lagged behind Silicone Power in random read/write tests.
• 😀 The Team Group drive had a solid write speed of 2554 MB/s and a random read speed of 900 MB/s, but its random write performance (807 MB/s) was lower compared to others.
• 😀 Testing was done in a Linux environment to ensure that the performance results were independent of any operating system-specific factors.
• 😀 The drives tested were all Gen 3x4 NVMe models, with varying performance levels that highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of budget vs. mid-tier options.

Q & A

What was the primary objective of the benchmark test in the script?

The primary objective was to test the read and write speeds of multiple NVMe drives, specifically focusing on sequential and random read/write performance, and compare them against one another.

Which drive performed the best in terms of sequential read speed?

The TimeTech drive performed the best in terms of sequential read speed, reaching 3226 MB/s, which was faster than the other drives tested.

How did the TimeTech drive perform in random read and write tests?

In the random read test, TimeTech achieved 599 MB/s, and in the random write test, it reached 700 MB/s. While not the fastest in these categories, it still performed reasonably well.

What distinguishes Silicone Power from the other drives in the benchmark?

Silicone Power stood out with its impressive random read and write speeds, leading the pack with 1164 MB/s for random reads and 859 MB/s for random writes, which were significantly higher than the other drives.

Did the Patriot drive meet its advertised read speed of 2100 MB/s?

No, the Patriot drive did not meet its advertised read speed. It reached a peak of 2167 MB/s but performed below expectations in random read and write speeds.

What potential issue was highlighted regarding long-term performance of NVMe drives?

The potential issue highlighted was that some drives can slow down over time due to wear leveling and other algorithms, which could affect their performance after years of usage.

How did the Team Group drive perform in terms of sequential read speed?

The Team Group drive performed excellently in sequential read tests, achieving 3551 MB/s, which was the highest in the benchmark, surpassing the read speeds of the other drives.

Was there any indication that the testing environment (Linux) influenced the results?

Yes, the review suggested that running the tests on Linux could have affected the results. The reviewer mentioned that repeating the tests under Windows could provide a different outcome.

Which drive was the most affordable according to the script?

The TimeTech drive was noted as the most affordable in the test, priced at $5.99, which contributed to its surprising performance.

Why is random read/write speed important for certain types of tasks?

Random read/write speed is crucial for tasks involving frequent, non-sequential data access, such as gaming or multitasking, where data isn't read or written in large, continuous blocks.