Silicon Power 1TB UD90 NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 SSD R/W up to 5,000/4,800 MB/s (SP01KGBP44UD9005)
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AI Verdict
This 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD offers up to 5,000/4,800 MB/s sequential speeds for budget-conscious users needing a general-purpose desktop drive.
This drive is a situational fit because its PCIe 4.0 interface and advertised speeds are appealing for general use and gaming, but the QLC NAND and limited SLC cache mean it struggles with demanding, sustained write tasks. It's a cost-effective option if your workload is mostly reads and smaller writes.
If you need more consistent performance for heavy workloads, look for NVMe SSDs with TLC NAND and a dedicated DRAM cache.
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Pros
- Achieves sequential read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 4,800 MB/s on PCIe 4.0 slots, nearly doubling PCIe 3.0 bandwidth.
- Includes a 5-year limited warranty, offering extended coverage.
- Supports Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology for lower latency and improved performance without dedicated DRAM.
- Features Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding for accurate data transmission and enhanced data access reliability.
- Equipped with RAID support and E2E data protection to safeguard data against drive failures and ensure transfer integrity.
Cons
- Uses QLC NAND, which has lower endurance and can lead to significant performance drops after its limited SLC cache is exhausted.
- Lacks a dedicated DRAM cache, relying on HMB, which can impact random access performance.
- The SLC cache is reported to be small, around 15-65 GB, causing performance to slow considerably during sustained large file transfers.
- Some users report unresponsive customer support when seeking help for performance issues.
- Real-world performance can drop to 100-300 MB/s for sustained writes once the cache is full.
Dimension Scores
Advertised sequential read/write speeds of 5,000/4,800 MB/s are competitive for a mid-range PCIe 4.0 drive, but real-world performance can drop significantly under sustained loads due to QLC NAND and limited cache.
It comes with a 5-year warranty, which is standard, but the use of QLC NAND generally implies lower endurance compared to TLC, and some users report issues with customer support.
1TB is a widely practical capacity for a primary or secondary drive, balancing storage needs with cost for most users.
This M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD is designed for desktop compatibility and is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 slots, despite the incorrect '2.5 Inches' form factor listed in some product data.
Best For
- As a boot drive for general desktop use, providing fast system responsiveness.
- For gaming, where typical game loads are bursty and don't often exceed the SLC cache.
- Users upgrading from older SATA SSDs seeking a noticeable speed improvement.
- Budget-focused PC builds where cost is a primary concern.
Not Recommended For
- Professional content creation involving frequent, large file transfers (e.g., 4K video editing).
- Workloads requiring consistent, high-speed sustained writes over many gigabytes.
- Users who prioritize maximum drive longevity and consistent performance under heavy load.
Watch Out For
- The drive has undergone a 'stealth change' from TLC to QLC NAND, meaning it uses a less durable and slower flash memory type than initially reviewed.
- Performance can plummet from 5,000 MB/s to as low as 100-300 MB/s during sustained write operations once the small SLC cache (reported 15-65 GB) is full.
- Random access times are notably low compared to its sequential throughput, which can affect responsiveness in certain applications.
- Some buyers report difficulty getting responses from Silicon Power customer service when encountering performance problems.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0B217LZBG |
| Brand | SP Silicon Power |
| Color | 1TB |
| Series | UD90 |
| Voltage | 28 Volts |
| Language | Italian |
| Batteries | 1 AAAA batteries required. |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB Solid State Drive |
| Item Weight | 0.282 ounces |
| Manufacturer | SP Silicon Power |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Flash Memory Size | 2 TB |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | SP01KGBP44UD9005 |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Product Dimensions | 19.69 x 19.69 x 11.02 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | PCIE x 4 |
| Hard Drive Interface | PCIE x 4 |
| Hard Disk Description | Solid State Drive |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 19.69 x 19.69 x 11.02 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | PCIe Gen4.0 |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
What Buyers Say
The biggest surprise with the UD90 is the widespread user report of a 'stealth change' to QLC NAND, which wasn't always the case, and this has a real impact on performance. Many buyers noted that while initial speeds hit the advertised 5,000/4,800 MB/s, sustained transfers, especially large file copies, cause speeds to drop dramatically once the small SLC cache is full. This makes it a budget-friendly option that performs well for bursty tasks like game loading, but struggles with heavy, continuous writes. Some users also mentioned issues getting timely responses from customer support when problems arose.
“Man, this thing is fast for like, the first 20GB, then it just chugs when I'm moving my Steam library. Should've paid more attention to the QLC stuff, feels like I got bait-and-switched on the NAND type.”
Common Praise
- Initial file transfer speeds are fast, hitting near advertised PCIe 4.0 numbers.
- The price point, especially when on sale, is often cited as a significant advantage.
- Easy installation into M.2 slots for quick system upgrades.
- Provides a noticeable speed upgrade for users coming from older SATA SSDs.
Common Complaints
- Performance slows considerably during large, sustained file writes due to the limited SLC cache and QLC NAND.
- The switch to QLC NAND from earlier TLC versions is a frequent point of frustration for informed users.
- Random read/write performance is lower than expected for a PCIe 4.0 drive.
- Reports of unresponsive or unhelpful customer service when issues arise.
Ownership Tips
- The drive can get warm under heavy, sustained use, suggesting a heatsink might be beneficial in some systems.
- Actual usable capacity is slightly less than 1TB, as expected with all storage devices.
- Performance degradation is most noticeable when copying large single files or multiple large files consecutively, not during typical web browsing or gaming sessions.
- The drive's performance profile means it's best suited as a secondary game drive or for general OS tasks, rather than a primary drive for heavy creative work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this SSD good for gaming?
Yes, for most gaming scenarios, this SSD will perform well due to its PCIe 4.0 speeds. However, if you frequently install very large games or transfer many gigabytes of data, you might notice performance dips after the SLC cache fills.
Does the Silicon Power UD90 have DRAM?
No, this drive does not include a dedicated DRAM cache. It utilizes Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology to leverage a portion of your system's RAM for caching purposes instead.
What type of NAND flash does this SSD use?
The Silicon Power UD90 uses QLC (Quad-Level Cell) NAND flash. Earlier versions were reviewed with TLC, but it has since been changed.
Will this SSD work in a PCIe 3.0 slot?
Yes, the UD90 is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 slots. However, its performance will be limited to PCIe 3.0 speeds, which are lower than its advertised PCIe 4.0 capabilities.
Does this SSD come with a heatsink?
No, the Silicon Power UD90 does not include a preinstalled heatsink. While some reviews suggest its design should lead to low heat output, some users still consider adding one.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at an NVMe SSD like this, you're essentially buying speed and responsiveness for your computer. You need to know if your motherboard has an M.2 slot and if it supports PCIe 4.0 to get the advertised speeds. If you only have PCIe 3.0, this drive will still work, but it won't be as fast. Think about what you'll actually be doing with it: quick game loads are fine, but if you're constantly moving huge video files, you'll hit a wall with this one.
PCIe 4.0 Gen4 interface
This is like the number of lanes on a highway for your data. PCIe 4.0 has double the lanes of PCIe 3.0, meaning data can travel much faster (up to 5,000 MB/s here) if your motherboard supports it. If your motherboard only has PCIe 3.0, it's like driving a sports car on a single-lane road – you're limited by the road, not the car.
NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)
This is the communication language your SSD uses to talk to your computer. It's much faster and more efficient than the older SATA language, specifically designed for the speed of flash memory. It's why these drives are so much quicker than traditional hard drives or even older SATA SSDs.
QLC NAND
NAND is the actual flash memory that stores your data. QLC (Quad-Level Cell) means each memory cell stores four bits of data, making it cheaper to produce and allowing for higher capacities. However, it's less durable and slower than TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND, especially when the drive's temporary 'fast cache' runs out. It's like having a bigger, cheaper storage locker that takes longer to access and wears out faster if you're constantly moving things in and out.
Host Memory Buffer (HMB)
SSDs often use a small amount of fast RAM (DRAM) as a scratchpad to keep track of where data is stored, which speeds things up. HMB means the SSD borrows a tiny bit of your computer's main RAM for this job instead of having its own dedicated DRAM. This saves money but can sometimes lead to slightly slower performance, especially with random access tasks, compared to drives with their own DRAM.
Alternatives
If this drive doesn't quite cut it, look for NVMe SSDs that explicitly state they use TLC NAND and include a dedicated DRAM cache for more consistent performance under heavy, sustained workloads.
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