The realm of laptop storage is witnessing a major transformation with the appearance of PCIe 4.0, a know-how that was first embraced with the Eleventh-Gen intel processor, Ryzen 3000 processor, and gaming consoles just like the PlayStation 5. Nonetheless, the technological panorama is ever-evolving, and the following milestone is PCIe 5.0. This new era of storage know-how guarantees staggering speeds, surpassing the capabilities of its predecessor. One instance and the one we shall be reviewing is TeamGroup’s T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD, with an M.2 2280 kind issue and utilizing the PCI-Categorical 5.0 x4 interface connection and helps the most recent NVMe 2.0 protocol, it boasts learn and write speeds of 12,400 MB/s and 11,800 MB/s, respectively.
But, with nice velocity comes nice duty, significantly in warmth administration. Avid gamers and tech lovers are acutely conscious that the elevated efficiency of PCIe Gen 5 SSDs typically results in vital warmth era. It is a problem that can not be understated, as typical graphene thermal options might fall wanting successfully managing this warmth. Recognizing this important concern, the TeamGroup’s T-Power additionally has a separate twin cooler heatsink, the T-Power Darkish Airflow 1 SSD Cooler, complemented by a small fan designed to effectively dissipate warmth, sustaining SSD’s temperature inside optimum ranges and reaching the anticipated velocity efficiency.
The T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD is priced at $259 for 2TB, and $149 for 1TB. It additionally comes with a 5-year guarantee and has an endurance of 600 TBW, 1,200 TBW, and a pair of,400 TBW for 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, respectively. However, the T-Power Darkish Airflow 1 SSD Cooler shouldn’t be but accessible to the general public.
On this evaluation, we’ll delve into the capabilities of the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD, specializing in the 2TB variant. Our purpose is to totally consider whether or not this SSD can ship on its efficiency guarantees whereas sustaining easy operation with none hiccups. Moreover, we may even conduct exams with out the extra heatsink to find out if the SSD can nonetheless carry out reliably below these circumstances.
Specification
| Interface | PCIe Gen 5 x 4 with NVMe |
| DRAM Cache | LPDDR4 (4GB) |
| Voltage | DC +3.3V |
| Operation Temperature | 0°C to 70°C |
| Storage Temperature | 40°C to 85°C |
| Sequential Pace Write | 2TB Learn/Write: As much as 12,400/11,800 MB/s |
| IOPS | 2TB Learn/Write: As much as 1400K/1500K IOPS Max |
| Weights | 13g |
| Dimensions | 80 x 22 x 3.7mm (LWH) |
| Vibration | 80Hz to 2,000Hz/20G |
| Shock | 1,500G/0.5ms |
| MTBF | 1,700,000 Hours |
Packaging
To start our evaluation of the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD, we’ll first give attention to the packaging. Our evaluation unit arrived in two separate packages, one containing the SSD and the opposite housing the T-Power Darkish Airflow 1 SSD Cooler. The packaging of the Z540 SSD itself adheres to the distinct Crimson and Black theme that’s in keeping with T-Power’s gaming product line. The entrance of the field options important info just like the visible picture of the SSD, complemented by the presence of a patent seal and the storage capability.
Turning to the again, we discover extra detailed specs together with the anticipated efficiency velocity, the 5-year guarantee, and the Operation temperature which is 0 ºC to 70 ºC. There’s additionally a cut-out gap that permits you to peak the precise SSD.
Inside, the SSD itself is neatly housed in a plastic container, a typical packaging alternative for T-Power merchandise. Adjoining to the SSD, there’s a clean area within the packaging which is a reasonably frequent function in TeamGroup’s packaging design, typically seen of their product vary, and serves as a standardized factor, despite the fact that it’s not used for extra parts on this particular mannequin.
Included inside the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD packaging is a graphene thermal sticker, an important factor for efficient warmth administration. Apparently, this thermal sticker shouldn’t be pre-installed on the SSD which additionally signifies that the applying of the thermal sticker is left to the person’s discretion and isn’t a compulsory step tied to the product’s guarantee.
Shifting to the packaging of the T-Power Darkish Airflow 1 SSD Cooler, it’s introduced in a cardboard field, sustaining the signature Crimson and Black theme. The heatsink, named ‘AF1’, sounds generic and will function a common thermal resolution, doubtlessly appropriate with a spread of SSD fashions within the T-Power lineup.
On the again, there are detailed specs, significantly specializing in the dimensions and dimensions of the heatsink. Vital particulars for customers to find out if the heatsink will match accurately of their system, particularly in relation to their CPU cooler.
Upon opening the field, you’re introduced with a number of objects important for establishing your SSD with the heatsink.
Included within the package deal is a screw, particularly designed for eradicating the duvet of your SSD slot, facilitating a smoother set up course of.
Essential to the performance of the heatsink are the 2 thermal pads. These pads play an important position in sandwiching the SSD inside the heatsink. For optimum thermal administration, it’s required to place these pads on each the back and front of the SSD guaranteeing efficient warmth dissipation and maximizing the cooling effectivity.
It additionally comes with further SSD screws in case your motherboard doesn’t include an easy-snap SSD.
The T-Power 5Z40
Shifting on to the SSD itself, the again encompasses a label in black and white, detailing the product specs. Apparently, the SSD shouldn’t be single-sided as there are parts on the again as properly.
The absence of a pre-installed thermal sticker permits for an unobstructed view of those parts, which we’ll discover in additional element within the subsequent part of our article.
Making use of the graphene thermal sticker enhances the SSD’s aesthetic enchantment. It encompasses a smooth black matte end with placing gold copper textual content, including a contact of class to its design.
The T-Power Darkish Airflow 1 SSD Cooler is supplied with a single fan, consisting of 9 copper blades that play an important position in cooling the heatsink’s two particular person tube traces.
On the alternative aspect, there is no such thing as a fan, which is deliberately designed for the outflow of air from the fan.
Wanting on the high of the heatsink, the T-Power brand is prominently displayed, alongside a fantastically crafted design that includes 4 tube pipe ends. This design not solely aids in environment friendly cooling but additionally provides a visible enchantment to the heatsink. The wire connection is conveniently made for CPU traces.
The underside a part of the heatsink homes the duvet, which must be unscrewed to put in the SSD. This cowl additionally performs a job in securing the SSD, sandwiching it between the 2 thermal pads talked about earlier. A possible concern arises when re-screwing the duvet, as there’s a threat of by accident hitting the SSD parts if not accomplished fastidiously. A suggestion for T-Power could possibly be to incorporate a reminder or guideline for customers to train warning whereas securing the duvet.
Upon eradicating the duvet, we get a more in-depth have a look at the 2 particular person pipes and the copper parts, that are essential for absorbing warmth from the SSD. This intricate design highlights the cautious consideration given to each performance and aesthetics within the heatsink’s building.
Options or Elements
As for the options, we’ll talk about right here the parts that energy the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD, specializing in its technical capabilities and digital structure.
The T-Power Cardea Z540 is powered with the Phison PS5026-E26-52 SSD controller. This controller is constructed on a 12nm course of and is an ARM 32-bit Cortex-R5 processor, that includes 5 cores that’s accountable for the next-gen velocity. A big side of this controller is its inclusion of a DRAM Cache. Because of this the Z540 shouldn’t be a DRAMless SSD, the DRAM Cache makes use of the SK hynix (H9HCNNNCPUMLXR-NEE), a famend producer within the reminiscence chip business. This chip supplies 4GB of LPDDR4-4266MHz cache DRAM Reminiscence that gives substantial buffer for knowledge processing and excessive frequency to deal with giant volumes of information shortly and efficientlly. Concerning the ability management of the SSD, it makes use of the Phison PS6121-45 (UG2324C2 QTP96). Nonetheless, detailed details about this particular energy controller shouldn’t be available.
The storage functionality of this machine is powered by chips from Micron, particularly the 3PC2D NY181 (511-230823086) mannequin, which is a 232-Layer TLC NAND. In our check unit, there are 4 such chips, collectively offering a complete storage capability of two,000GB.
On the reverse aspect, there are two further chips, equivalent to those talked about.
On one other nook of the SSD’s bottom, there are further chips. Whereas these won’t seem significantly particular, they’re important digital parts that contribute to the general performance of the SSD.
Efficiency
To judge the efficiency of this SSD, we’ll topic it to a sequence of benchmark exams utilizing our lineup of benchmarking packages. This can assist us decide whether or not the SSD lives as much as its guarantees and determine any potential issues that will come up. Initially, we’ll check the SSD with out the put in heatsink fan to evaluate its dealing with and thermal efficiency on this baseline situation. Ought to the SSD battle or fail on this state of affairs, we’ll forego additional exams with out the heatsink and as an alternative focus our benchmarking efforts on the SSD with the heatsink put in. Beneath are the small print of the check setup we shall be utilizing:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12-Core Processor with Inventory Cooler
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670 GAMING X AX
- RAM Reminiscence: T-Power Delta Alpha RGB DDR5-6000 Gaming Reminiscence
- Working System: Home windows 11 Professional
The testing setting is at room temperature of 31°C with out air-con however cooled solely by a regular fan.
With out the T-Power Darkish Airflow I SSD Cooler
Earlier than commencing our exams, we’ll examine the preliminary temperature of the SSD. As noticed, the beginning temperature is comparatively excessive, standing at 52°C. Nonetheless, this temperature continues to be inside the operational limits for this SSD, which vary from 0°C to 70°C.
Throughout our testing with Crystal Disk Mark, the SSD initially carried out as anticipated, reaching the anticipated learn and write speeds whereas sustaining a temperature inside operational limits. Nonetheless, in subsequent exams, the temperature of the SSD started to rise considerably, finally exceeding the secure operational threshold of 70°C. This extreme warmth led to a noticeable drop in efficiency. To forestall potential injury to the SSD, we abruptly halted the benchmarking course of.
This concern of overheating below heavy masses shouldn’t be distinctive to the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD alone; it’s a typical downside amongst many PCIe 5 SSDs. In our exams with out the heatsink, it struggled to handle warmth successfully, with temperatures hovering as excessive as 83°C. This clearly signifies that the SSD shouldn’t be outfitted to deal with intense workloads with out ample cooling. Subsequently, in case you are contemplating buying the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD PCIe 5.0, it’s extremely advisable to go for the model bundled with the heatsink. This extra cooling resolution is important to make sure secure efficiency and to forestall overheating throughout demanding duties.
Nonetheless, it’s noteworthy that below regular workload circumstances, the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD maintains a way more secure temperature vary. The SSD operates between 52°C to 60°C, which is properly inside the secure operational limits.
With Combo T-Power Darkish Airflow I SSD Cooler
After making use of the T-Power Darkish Airflow I SSD Cooler heatsink, the preliminary temperature started to point out its magic, the preliminary temperature is at 37°C.
CrystalDiskMark Benchmark
CrystalDiskMark is a widely known benchmarking software used for testing the efficiency of solid-state drives (SSDs) and laborious disk drives (HDDs). Famend for its simplicity and accuracy, this software measures the sequential and random learn/write speeds of the storage machine. It is usually generally used because the benchmarking rating for many of the manufacturer-rated velocity.
The SSD confirmed outstanding efficiency throughout a spread of duties. For sequential reads and writes for giant recordsdata (1MB at queue depth 8 and thread depend 1), it achieved learn speeds of 12,378.19 MB/s and write speeds of 11,820.96 MB/s. This efficiency was constant for sequential operations with reasonably giant recordsdata (128KB at queue depth 32 and thread depend 1), the place it recorded learn speeds of 12,341.10 MB/s and write speeds of 11,822.22 MB/s. Within the random learn/write check with smaller recordsdata (4KB) at excessive queue depth (32) and a number of threads (16), it scored 5,229.49 MB/s for learn and three,512.87 MB/s for write, indicating sturdy efficiency below extra demanding circumstances. Lastly, within the check simulating typical person eventualities (random 4KB recordsdata at a single queue and thread), it delivered learn and write speeds of 88.92 MB/s and 317.07 MB/s, respectively, showcasing its effectiveness in on a regular basis computing duties.
AS SSD Benchmark
The AS SSD Benchmark is a specialised software designed completely for testing the efficiency of Stable State Drives (SSDs). Not like different benchmarking software program that could be appropriate for numerous varieties of storage units, AS SSD Benchmark focuses on the distinctive traits and efficiency metrics pertinent to SSDs. It measures the sequential and random learn/write speeds, in addition to the entry time of the SSD, offering a complete overview of its efficiency.
The AS SSD benchmark revealed the SSD’s efficiency in numerous learn and write eventualities. For sequential operations, which measure giant file switch speeds, the SSD achieved a learn velocity of 9,169.06 MB/s and a write velocity of 10,055.14 MB/s. Within the 4K check, designed to guage efficiency with small recordsdata, it scored 80.37 MB/s for learn and 277.37 MB/s for write. The 4K-64Thrd check, assessing the drive’s capacity to deal with a number of small file requests concurrently, yielded learn and write speeds of three,196.77 MB/s and 4,445.68 MB/s, respectively. The SSD additionally demonstrated distinctive entry occasions, with 0.014 ms for reads and 0.041 ms for writes. General, the SSD gathered a complete rating of 12,104, with particular person learn and write scores of 4,194 and 5,729, highlighting its sturdy efficiency throughout various kinds of knowledge operations.
ATTO Disk Benchmark
ATTO Disk Benchmark assess the efficiency of each conventional laborious drives and solid-state drives (SSDs). Its major perform is to measure the information switch charges of storage units throughout numerous file sizes and lengths, offering an in depth efficiency profile.
The SSD demonstrated a progressive improve in efficiency throughout numerous file sizes. Beginning with a small file dimension of 512 bytes, it achieved a velocity of 15.38 MB/s. Because the file dimension elevated, there was a notable climb in velocity, reaching a major milestone of 1.85 GB/s for 32KB recordsdata. The SSD reached its peak efficiency with file sizes of 128 KB for write operations, reaching speeds round 10.97 GB/s, and for learn operations, it peaked at file sizes of two MB, hitting speeds of roughly 11.19 GB/s. Notably, each learn and write speeds stabilized and maintained their most charges at file sizes of two MB, demonstrating the SSD’s capacity to deal with bigger knowledge transfers effectively.
3D Mark Benchmark
3D Mark Benchmark is predominantly acknowledged for its sturdy capabilities in assessing the efficiency of graphics playing cards and gaming PCs. Nonetheless, it additionally consists of exams that may consider the efficiency of solid-state drives (SSDs) in gaming-related eventualities. By simulating a spread of demanding gaming environments, 3D Mark supplies insights into how properly a storage machine can deal with the extreme learn and write calls for of recent gaming.
The SSD showcased its capabilities in gaming-related eventualities. It achieved a mean bandwidth of 773.45 MB/s and a mean entry time of 39 microseconds. When examined with standard video games, the bandwidth diverse: 1,480.03 MB/s for ‘Battlefield V’, 1,105.62 MB/s for ‘Name of Obligation Black Ops 4’, and 649.62 MB/s for ‘Overwatch’, with respective entry occasions of 51, 60, and 36 microseconds. The SSD’s efficiency in recording gameplay confirmed a bandwidth of 271.18 MB/s and an entry time of 31 microseconds. For recreation set up, it recorded a velocity of 356.54 MB/s and an entry time of 37 microseconds, whereas for saving recreation knowledge, it reached 311.41 MB/s with an entry time of 23 microseconds. Remarkably, in shifting recreation recordsdata, it achieved a excessive velocity of 5,173.69 MB/s with an entry time of fifty microseconds. The entire rating attained in these exams was 4,560, underscoring the SSD’s effectivity in dealing with numerous gaming-related duties.
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark is a complete software designed to guage the general efficiency of a pc’s storage system, together with solid-state drives (SSDs) just like the T-Power Cardea Z540. Not like benchmarks focusing solely on velocity metrics, PCMark 10 assesses how properly a drive performs in on a regular basis duties. It simulates quite a lot of real-world eventualities, resembling booting up the working system, launching functions, and conducting file transfers, to offer a practical evaluation of the drive’s efficiency in frequent use instances.
The SSD achieved a rating of 4,635, indicating sturdy total efficiency. It exhibited an total bandwidth of 717.2 MB/s, which demonstrates its effectivity in dealing with knowledge transfers. Moreover, the SSD confirmed an total entry time of simply 35 microseconds, reflecting its fast responsiveness in accessing knowledge.
PCMark 10 Information Drive Benchmark
The PCMark 10 Information Drive Benchmark is a specialised part of the PCMark suite, particularly designed to evaluate the efficiency of secondary storage drives, resembling SSDs used for knowledge storage, just like the T-Power Cardea Z540. This benchmark focuses on how properly a drive handles workloads associated to storing and accessing knowledge, fairly than the working system or functions. It simulates numerous real-world duties, together with file saving, modifying, and transferring, to guage the drive’s effectivity and responsiveness in dealing with data-centric operations.
The SSD scored 9,802 with an total bandwidth of 1,374.6 MB/s and 15 microseconds.
PCMark 10 Fast System Drive Benchmark
The PCMark 10 Fast System Drive Benchmark is a streamlined model of the Full System Drive Benchmark, a part of the great PCMark 10 suite. It’s designed to shortly assess the efficiency of major storage drives, resembling SSDs, in dealing with frequent system-level duties.
The SSD scored 5,898 with an total bandwidth of 696.9 MB/s and 21 microseconds.
PassMark PerformanceTest Disk Mark
PassMark PerformanceTest Disk Mark is a flexible benchmarking software designed to guage the efficiency of storage units resembling laborious drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and exterior drives. It supplies a complete evaluation of varied elements of a drive’s efficiency, together with learn and write speeds, knowledge switch charges, and entry occasions.
The SSD achieved an impressive rating of 71,142, which locations it within the 99th percentile in comparison with comparable units globally, a transparent indication of its superior efficiency. Breaking down the scores, it confirmed spectacular leads to sequential learn and write exams, with 10,558 MB/s and 10,047 MB/s respectively. For the IOS 32KQD20 check, which measures the enter/output operations per second for 32K blocks at a queue depth of 20, it scored 4,143. Within the IOPS 4KQD1 check, designed to evaluate smaller file operations at a queue depth of 1, the SSD achieved a rating of 131. These outcomes place the SSD considerably increased than the worldwide minimal rating of three and near the utmost of 209,786, highlighting its distinctive efficiency throughout numerous metrics.
Black Magic Design Disk Pace Check
The Black Magic Design Disk Pace Check is a efficiency measurement software particularly tailor-made for video professionals and content material creators. It excels in evaluating the power of storage units like SSDs to deal with high-resolution video recordsdata. This benchmark measures the learn and write speeds of drives, such because the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD, within the context of video file processing and rendering. It’s significantly precious for figuring out whether or not a storage machine can deal with the demanding throughput necessities of duties like modifying 4K or 8K video.
Tailor-made for evaluating efficiency in video-related duties, the SSD displayed spectacular capabilities. It achieved a write velocity of 10,038 MB/s, demonstrating its proficiency in dealing with high-resolution video recordsdata, an important side of video manufacturing and content material creation. Moreover, the SSD recorded a learn velocity of seven,536.9 MB/s.
Comparability
To achieve a clearer perspective on the efficiency of the T-Power Cardea Z540 in comparison with different SSDs now we have evaluated, we invite you to look at the detailed benchmark chart offered under. This chart presents a direct comparability, showcasing how the Z540 measures up towards its rivals throughout a spread of efficiency metrics.
Conclusion
The T-Power Cardea Z540 PCIe 5.0 SSD stands out as one of many quickest PCIe 5.0 SSDs now we have examined to this point, showcasing distinctive efficiency that surpasses a lot of its rivals. For customers with the most recent motherboards supporting PCIe 5.0, this SSD represents a major leap in velocity and effectivity. Whereas PCIe 4.0 SSDs supply commendable efficiency, the T-Power Cardea Z540 pushes the boundaries additional, reaching speeds that absolutely capitalize on the capabilities of PCIe 5.0 know-how.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice the SSD’s thermal administration necessities. Our exams revealed that the SSD tends to warmth up considerably below heavy masses, reaching temperatures as much as 90 levels Celsius when solely outfitted with the graphene thermal sticker. This necessitates the usage of further cooling options, resembling followers, for demanding duties. Consequently, the SSD won’t be appropriate for units with restricted area or cooling choices. This heating concern shouldn’t be distinctive to the T-Power Cardea Z540 however is a attribute shared by different PCIe 5.0 SSDs presently available in the market.
As PCIe 5.0 is a comparatively new know-how, we anticipate future enhancements, significantly in reaching the utmost theoretical velocity of 14GB/s and enhancing thermal effectivity to cut back the dependence on exterior cooling. Regardless of this, the T-Power Cardea Z540 impresses with its present efficiency, setting a excessive benchmark for velocity and effectivity.
General, the T-Power Cardea Z540 SSD is an impressive alternative for these looking for top-tier efficiency. It’s particularly beneficial for customers who’ve the mandatory setup to handle their thermal necessities and who need the best possible by way of velocity and efficiency from their storage units. Nonetheless, a degree of consideration is the associated fee implication, as efficient utilization of this SSD requires the extra buy of a cooler to handle its thermal output, particularly below heavy masses. This necessity provides to the general funding, which is a crucial issue for potential patrons.
