Looking for a new m.2 drive that is suitable for livestreams, multi browsing, easy encoding/rendering, NOT gaming! Budget: €300

[winterwonderland]

I currently have a Kingston NV2 2 TB m.2 nVMe + a Seagate 4TB SATA (see my specs list). I will be selling the 4TB SATA and I would then need a new 4TB drive. My primary tasks that I do include livestreams, multi browsing, easy encoding/rendering, NOT gaming!

I see that many M.2's are quite pricey when it comes to 4TB size, so I am not sure which one to go for that would be good for my setup... Any recommendations?

I tried looking into it myself, and one that seems to be scoring well on tests and seems to be a good all-around, fast, reliable drive is the Lexar NM790 (without heatsink), that is also among the cheapest and fastest 4TB. That is probably worth the buy, huh? And I do not need heatsink, right?

Budget: around €300

 

[mb194dc]

Depends what your budget is?, in real world usage I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference between a good SSD and an m2 drive for those use cases. Bottlenecks are not storage. Unless you need Multi GB/s+ read write for something in there.

 

[winterwonderland]

Depends what your budget is?, in real world usage I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference between a good SSD and an m2 drive for those use cases. Bottlenecks are not storage. Unless you need Multi GB/s+ read write for something in there.

About €300, which is what NM790 is at, even a bit below €300

Any other suggestions than that, or? I probably shouldn't go for another SATA drive, right?

 

[GerKNG]

there are no "gaming SSDs" nor are there streaming, multi tasking or encoding SSDs.
either you buy a generic new TLC drive or you suffer endless pain with the QLC trash.

buy any modern TLC drive from any known brand and you're good.

 

[Onasi]

buy any modern TLC drive from any known brand and you're good.

Basically this. Any modern TLC drive Gen 3 and up will provide an experience that is, in practice, exactly the same as all its peers. Even DRAM-less models are perfectly fine these days.

 

[winterwonderland]

there are no "gaming SSDs" nor are there streaming, multi tasking or encoding SSDs.
either you buy a generic new TLC drive or you suffer endless pain with the QLC trash.

buy any modern TLC drive from any known brand and you're good.

Basically this. Any modern TLC drive Gen 3 and up will provide an experience that is, in practice, exactly the same as all its peers. Even DRAM-less models are perfectly fine these days.

Ok, that seems like a good plan. Any examples on a good, affordable TLC drive then..? TLC = gen 3 and QLC = gen 4, or?

Thanks for the inputs!

 

[TheLostSwede]

Ok, that seems like a good plan. Any examples on a good, affordable TLC drive then..? TLC = gen 3 and QLC = gen 4, or?

Thanks for the inputs!

Maybe check out the TPU SSD reviews?

TechPowerUp

www.techpowerup.com

 

[winterwonderland]

Maybe check out the TPU SSD reviews?

TechPowerUp

www.techpowerup.com

Yes, I would, but how the freck do I know whether they're reviewing a TLC drive or not?

 

[Onasi]

Yes, I would, but how the freck do I know whether they're reviewing a TLC drive or not?

TLC and QLC are types of NAND. It’s in the specs.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Yes, I would, but how the freck do I know whether they're reviewing a TLC drive or not?

Just in case it's not clear enough in the reviews, TPU also has a very well maintained SSD database.
You can go and Add Filters and select TLC from there to get a list of 1988 SSDs with TLC NAND.

TechPowerUp

Solid-state-drive database with specifications for products launched in recent years. Includes specs, photos, and technical details.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[winterwonderland]

Just in case it's not clear enough in the reviews, TPU also has a very well maintained SSD database.
You can go and Add Filters and select TLC from there to get a list of 1988 SSDs with TLC NAND.

TechPowerUp

Solid-state-drive database with specifications for products launched in recent years. Includes specs, photos, and technical details.

www.techpowerup.com

Sooo.... I am supposed to browse through 1988 drives with no other filter options available than just to sort them into TLC, instead of just suggesting 2-3 drives for me to get? I guess I will just stick to whatever reddit and other sites says instead of diving into a jungle of ???? for me, heh. Anyways, thanks for the info nonetheless.

Actually, I will just use this list, for what it's worth: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B27_j9NDPU3cNlj2HKcrfpJKHkOf-Oi1DbuuQva2gT4/edit?gid=0#gid=0

 

[Onasi]

Sooo.... I am supposed to browse through 1988 drives with no other filter options available than just to sort them into TLC, instead of just suggesting 2-3 drives for me to get? I guess I will just stick to whatever reddit and other sites says instead of diving into a jungle of ???? for me, heh.

Step 1 - Open TPU SSD reviews
Step 2 - Enable filters for Editor Choice and Recommended (like this)
Step 3 - Buy any of the featured SSD
Step 4 - Profit

 

[TheLostSwede]

Sooo.... I am supposed to browse through 1988 drives with no other filter options available than just to sort them into TLC, instead of just suggesting 2-3 drives for me to get? I guess I will just stick to whatever reddit and other sites says instead of diving into a jungle of ???? for me, heh. Anyways, thanks for the info nonetheless.

Actually, I will just use this list, for what it's worth: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B27_j9NDPU3cNlj2HKcrfpJKHkOf-Oi1DbuuQva2gT4/edit?gid=0#gid=0

I don't think that's what I said, there are plenty other filters, so feel free to play around.

 

[winterwonderland]

Step 1 - Open TPU SSD reviews
Step 2 - Enable filters for Editor Choice and Recommended (like this)
Step 3 - Buy any of the featured SSD
Step 4 - Profit

Sooo... upon looking on that list, https://www.techpowerup.com/review/lexar-nm790-4-tb/ (without heatsink) is actually the cheapest affordable TLC drive available here in Norway that is 4TB... :O Meaning this one: https://www.proshop.no/SSD/Lexar-NM790-SSD-4TB-M2-2280-PCIe-40-Uten-varmespreder/3191304

 

[Red Hood]

SN850X 4TB

https://shop.sandisk.com/en-gb/products/ssd/internal-ssd/wd-black-sn850x-nvme-ssd?cjdata=MXxZfDB8WXww&sku=WDS400T2X0E-00BCA0&cjevent=8099267a5ccf11f08275018c0a18ba73&utm_medium=afl1&utm_source=cj&utm_content=United+Kingdom+Product+Feed&cp1=100897684&loyaltysignal=0

Does get hot under load so maybe worth getting a third party heatsink (a model with heatsink is available but more expensive)

 

[Onasi]

Sooo... upon looking on that list, https://www.techpowerup.com/review/lexar-nm790-4-tb/ (without heatsink) is actually the cheapest affordable TLC drive available here in Norway that is 4TB... :O Meaning this one: https://www.proshop.no/SSD/Lexar-NM790-SSD-4TB-M2-2280-PCIe-40-Uten-varmespreder/3191304

Yup, it’s a great drive and if it’s the cheapest in your region no reason not to grab it.

 

[winterwonderland]

Yup, it’s a great drive and if it’s the cheapest in your region no reason not to grab it.

Gotcha, then I will buy Lexar NM790. But, I can go for the one without heatsink since my mobo already has one? Going for the NM790 with a heatsink would probably be redundant, right?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Sooo... upon looking on that list, https://www.techpowerup.com/review/lexar-nm790-4-tb/ (without heatsink) is actually the cheapest affordable TLC drive available here in Norway that is 4TB... :O Meaning this one: https://www.proshop.no/SSD/Lexar-NM790-SSD-4TB-M2-2280-PCIe-40-Uten-varmespreder/3191304

Keep in mind that they mix and match the NAND, I wouldn't want the xinese YMTC NAND, but maybe that's just me.
There also use at least two different controllers, so performance might vary.

Gotcha, then I will buy Lexar NM790. But, I can go for the one without heatsink since my mobo already has one? Going for the NM790 with a heatsink would probably be redundant, right?

Yes, the motherboard heatsinks should be plenty good for that drive.

 

[winterwonderland]

Keep in mind that they mix and match the NAND, I wouldn't want the xinese YMTC NAND, but maybe that's just me.
There also use at least two different controllers, so performance might vary.
View attachment 407198


Yes, the motherboard heatsinks should be plenty good for that drive.

Ngl, but this is me right now:


I couldn't figure out which one it is by looking at the general info + specification lists seen here: https://www.proshop.no/SSD/Lexar-NM790-SSD-4TB-M2-2280-PCIe-40-Uten-varmespreder/3191304

 

[TheLostSwede]

Ngl, but this is me right now:
View attachment 407199

I couldn't figure out which one it is by looking at the general info + specification lists seen here: https://www.proshop.no/SSD/Lexar-NM790-SSD-4TB-M2-2280-PCIe-40-Uten-varmespreder/3191304

That's the problem with SSDs, a lot of them are like buying the pig in a poke, you don't know what you get until it arrives.
Some companies are far worse and use the same model name for premium as well as mid-range drives, so you thought you got a good deal for a premium drive, but they sent you a mid-range drive. I'm looking at you Apacer...

I hope Pro Shop accept returns without a hassle, in case you get one of the meh ones.
Admittedly the one tested by TPU had the YMTC NAND, but I don't trust them when it comes to long term reliability. There are too many industry rumours about them having copied so much of their tech from other companies, that the must have issues somewhere.

The xinese Maxiotech controller is better than I'd like to admit, for a DRAM-less controller, so ideally you'd want that and the Micron NAND for best performance/reliability.

 

[Onasi]

Keep in mind that they mix and match the NAND, I wouldn't want the xinese YMTC NAND, but maybe that's just me.

It’s just you in this case. I understand where your political biases come from, but the tech itself is solid.

Gotcha, then I will buy Lexar NM790. But, I can go for the one without heatsink since my mobo already has one? Going for the NM790 with a heatsink would probably be redundant, right?

Yeah, MoBo heatsink should be fine. Keep in mind that the thermal load that’s seen in reviews is the worst case scenario that you would probably rarely, if ever, see in practical use.

 

[chrcoluk]

SN850X 4TB

View attachment 407190

https://shop.sandisk.com/en-gb/products/ssd/internal-ssd/wd-black-sn850x-nvme-ssd?cjdata=MXxZfDB8WXww&sku=WDS400T2X0E-00BCA0&cjevent=8099267a5ccf11f08275018c0a18ba73&utm_medium=afl1&utm_source=cj&utm_content=United+Kingdom+Product+Feed&cp1=100897684&loyaltysignal=0

Does get hot under load so maybe worth getting a third party heatsink (a model with heatsink is available but more expensive)

Best price seen for a while on these drives, except the heatsink now has a huge premium. Which is a shame as the heatsink on these things is way better than the trash that comes with my board.

I need to think over it for a while, because if I buy a 4TB SN850X it probably means me moving my OS to another drive. Or getting a gen 4 PCIe to M.2 adaptor.

I wonder if a SN850X replacement is in the works as the SN7100 runs way cooler using the newer NAND, but the SN7100 is not in the same class.

Leaning towards adaptor, as then it will be easy to slot this in and will run cool.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It’s just you in this case. I understand where your political biases come from, but the tech itself is solid.

What proof do you have of that? There have been zero long terms tests of YMTC's NAND afaik.
Show me a long term test, as in years, hitting the TBW limit and then maybe I'll agree.
This is not a political bias, this is a company that has yet to prove itself and its products in the long run.

 

[Red Hood]

Best price seen for a while on these drives, except the heatsink now has a huge premium. Which is a shame as the heatsink on these things is way better than the trash that comes with my board.

I need to think over it for a while, because if I buy a 4TB SN850X it probably means me moving my OS to another drive. Or getting a gen 4 PCIe to M.2 adaptor.

I wonder if a SN850X replacement is in the works as the SN7100 runs way cooler using the newer NAND, but the SN7100 is not in the same class.

Leaning towards adaptor, as then it will be easy to slot this in and will run cool.

Yeah it's a good price

You can get a third party heatsink for about £5

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCTIC-ACOTH00001A-M2-Pro-Black/dp/B09VH29PR1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3UEWP0TO3TQX9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZDfChfFPW1yK6DXHKFAwQqnky6MJdPwE2TBepv9sk38-hOnIl6JsgUmhPhsFZePBGwFn_cJzDSFk2uy9CO9Tjtm2jofT7gXD-gjdAwmufAFN02L1530oJS2yETLwOuiOrLGbczvj_zZrVCov7G0o0s4IJ32qT7SYbV4e40pkuLePrLDxxqXsKniJ0HCDLRcFs5E6RL1sXEgkSBt4W7OqfOUmVwvI_WHSG6GFRLFTrfZGh3LJOEGJzRq4vF-HQGdv6alTZx7rIBDYYHQa0dWWyv8uonIiI9TLQqf0q5uiklo.-aK26zWS7uqy2iem-e8iuLsRIdmtWyczatu7N2ACrZ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=m2%2Bheatsink&qid=1752074398&s=computers&sprefix=m2%2Bheatsink%2Ccomputers%2C60&sr=1-4&th=1

Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 TYPE A B SSD Heatsink Cooler, M.2 2280 Heatsink Cooling for Desktop High Performance SSD Cooler : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 TYPE A B SSD Heatsink Cooler, M.2 2280 Heatsink Cooling for Desktop High Performance SSD Cooler : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Onasi]

What proof do you have of that? There have been zero long terms tests of YMTC's NAND afaik.
Show me a long term test, as in years, hitting the TBW limit and then maybe I'll agree.
This is not a political bias, this is a company that has yet to prove itself and its products in the long run.

*shrug* Obviously can’t have any long term impressions yet since the tech has been on the market for a couple of years at most, but I do have around… a dozen?… NM790s in use at work on different PCs. In terms of strictly performance (which you mentioned initially) all are within a margin of error in synthetics and identical (obviously) in practical use. Whether or not they will be resilient enough is a question, I agree, but I will err on the side of optimism here. Though I’ll get back to you of they will suddenly start dying off.
As for switching out components - that has been a practice long before YMTC NAND and Chinese controllers entered the picture. Hell, my SX8200 has nothing in common with the initially tested models either in terms of memory or controller. It still performs as expected in practice, so I don’t really care all that much.