HP EX950 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

W1zzard · Apr 20, 2020

We test a new firmware update for the HP EX950, which fixes a performance issue and makes the drive the fastest SSD we ever reviewed, beating even the Samsung 970 Pro in real-life tests. With a price of just $270 for the 2 TB version, the EX950 is very affordable, too.

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Xuper · Apr 20, 2020

if MB does have thermal sensor connector , You buy thermal sensor(2 pin) then attach on NVMe.With a curve fan , You could control NVMe temperature.simple and clean !

TheLostSwede · Apr 20, 2020

How does HP handle the warranty with these, as apparently a few people had warranty issues with the HP branded drives early on.

QUANTUMPHYSICS · Apr 20, 2020

I'm always happy to see a new 2TB or 4TB (or larger) M.2 SSD. I'm in the market for an M.2 right now for one of my laptops. But I'm not willing to spend more than $230 so I may just grab an intel 660p.

BArms · Apr 20, 2020

Where can we get the firmware update?

W1zzard · Apr 20, 2020

BArms said:
Where can we get the firmware update?

Right now you can't. Your best bet is to contact their support, so they see the demand and hurry up with releasing it for public.

AnarchoPrimitiv · Apr 21, 2020

I got the HP Ex950 1TB for $125 when I did my new build and liked it so much I got the 2TB for only $245, extremely happy and haven't had an issue with either drive yet and the 2TB gets serious usage as it's the top storage tier for my Server/NAS

AKBrian · Apr 21, 2020

W1zzard said:
Right now you can't. Your best bet is to contact their support, so they see the demand and hurry up with releasing it for public.

This seems like a rather important problem.

Darksword · Apr 21, 2020

Can you re-test the thermals with an aftermarket heatsink attached, but no fan? I'm curious to see if a cheap heatsink will eliminate thermal throttling by itself. Thanks.

Shinshin · Apr 21, 2020

This drive is available for quite some time now...
It is amazing the company was waiting for you to get in contact to update the firmware!
I read reviews soon after it was released that, if my memory correct, showed this behavior on the 2TB version.
Maybe there weren't any drives to compare it back then?

gamefoo21 · Apr 22, 2020

Just be careful from what I hear the warranty support for these HP drives is a nightmare.

HP apparently farmed out warranty handing to a less than great company.

W1zzard said:
Right now you can't. Your best bet is to contact their support, so they see the demand and hurry up with releasing it for public.

Like I said the support is baaaad.

carbolymer · Apr 22, 2020

Firmware:	SS0411B & 42A7T36A

So, which is old and which is new?

W1zzard · Apr 22, 2020

carbolymer said:
Firmware: SS0411B & 42A7T36A

So, which is old and which is new?

42A7T36A is the new one

Baum · Apr 22, 2020

So the warranty is not done throught Hp then? thats a no no for 1Tb/2Tb+ of Data for an SSD :-(

As this is TLC Flash, does it last around 10 years if used lightly?
How do i put this into perspective of my old samsung 840pro sata 2,5" drive with mlc cells? Is it good enought as a C:\ drive ?

I don't write that much too it, just feels like now is the time to change to this drive as it is cheaper (1TB~175€)

[EDIT] okay found these numbers TBW:
512GB=320 Terabyte
1Tb =650 Terabyte
2Tb=1.400 Terabyte
That's close to the Samsung 970 Evo plus lineup, pretty okay but i suspect not samsung pro level ^^

gamefoo21 · Apr 22, 2020

Baum said:
So the warranty is not done throught Hp then? thats a no no for 1Tb/2Tb+ of Data for an SSD :-(

As this is TLC Flash, does it last around 10 years if used lightly?
How do i put this into perspective of my old samsung 840pro sata 2,5" drive with mlc cells? Is it good enought as a C:\ drive ?

I don't write that much too it, just feels like now is the time to change to this drive as it is cheaper (1TB~175€)

[EDIT] okay found these numbers TBW:
512GB=320 Terabyte
1Tb =650 Terabyte
2Tb=1.400 Terabyte
That's close to the Samsung 970 Evo plus lineup, pretty okay but i suspect not samsung pro level ^^

The warranty issue is why I've shied away from going with the EX series.

As a person who has several pro class HP products, even their in house warranty and support has been suffering.

Baum · Apr 30, 2020

gamefoo21 said:
The warranty issue is why I've shied away from going with the EX series.

As a person who has several pro class HP products, even their in house warranty and support has been suffering.

you are not alone... i do like the hp elitebooks

Dell is pretty okay with their warranty if you are a business, thats what i have seen so far

apoklyps3 · Jun 16, 2020

W1zzard said:
42A7T36A is the new one

I just ordered a 1TB version of this drive. Is the firmware update only meant for the 2TB model?
I have found the 2tb firmware on reddit, but I'm not sure if it suposed to work on 1tb model too.
The HP support seems to be a 1 dog show, no answers, no links. nothing.

apoklyps3 · Dec 16, 2020

so basicaly they made a new firmware that improves performance, but won't give it to any of the costumers.
very "nice"!
this is some high class crookery that HP displays.

Athlonite · Jan 7, 2021

For those wanting the Firmware update you can get it here

https://www.reddit.com/r/NewMaxx/comments/g5rkzz the link is at the top just below the TPU review link

But you use it at your own risk I will not be held responsible if it bricks your SSD

apoklyps3 said:
I just ordered a 1TB version of this drive. Is the firmware update only meant for the 2TB model?
I have found the 2tb firmware on reddit, but I'm not sure if it suposed to work on 1tb model too.
The HP support seems to be a 1 dog show, no answers, no links. nothing.

No it is no for the 1TB version do not use it you'll brick your SSD

Processor	Ryzen 7 5700X
Memory	48 GB
Video Card(s)	RTX 4080
Storage	2x HDD RAID 1, 3x M.2 NVMe
Display(s)	30" 2560x1600 + 19" 1280x1024
Software	Windows 10 64-bit

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Processor	Ryzen 7 5700X
Memory	48 GB
Video Card(s)	RTX 4080
Storage	2x HDD RAID 1, 3x M.2 NVMe
Display(s)	30" 2560x1600 + 19" 1280x1024
Software	Windows 10 64-bit

HP EX950 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

W1zzard

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Video Card(s)	Sapphire RX 5700XT Nitro+
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