The LEGEND 710 heatsink works to lower operating temperatures by 15% for optimal performance and stability. At this price tier, shipping a heatsink in the box is unusual and genuinely useful — most M.2 drives at this level leave thermal management entirely to the user. The heatsink uses a royal blue colour scheme with gold accents, and adds only a few millimetres of height. Check clearance against your motherboard’s M.2 slot before installing, particularly in laptops.

LC NAND — Know What You’re Buying

The 256GB Legend 710 uses SpecTek 232-layer QLC NAND flash paired with the Realtek RTS5766DL controller. QLC stores four bits per cell, allowing for higher storage density and lower cost per gigabyte — but carries a trade-off in raw write endurance and sustained write performance compared to TLC drives. For read-heavy everyday workloads — booting, browsing, application loading, media playback — this is largely a non-issue. For sustained heavy writes, the SLC cache will eventually exhaust and write speeds will drop. Buyers prioritising write endurance should consider the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro (TLC, 160TBW) or Silicon Power P34A60 (TLC, 150TBW) instead.

HMB and SLC Caching

The Legend 710 is equipped for productivity with SLC caching and HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology. The SLC cache absorbs burst writes in faster single-level cell mode before folding to QLC, while HMB borrows a portion of system RAM to supplement the lack of dedicated on-drive DRAM. Together these help maintain good burst performance for typical workloads on Windows 10 and later.

LDPC ECC and AES-256 Encryption

With LDPC (Low-Density Parity Check Code) and AES 256-bit encryption, the Legend 710 ensures accurate data transfers and data security. LDPC ECC is the gold standard for NVMe error correction — a strong inclusion at this price point. Hardware AES-256 encryption is a welcome addition for users working with sensitive data, and operates at the drive level with no CPU overhead.

ADATA SSD Toolbox

SSD Toolbox automatically ensures you have the latest firmware for optimal performance and allows you to monitor drive health and remaining lifespan through S.M.A.R.T. attributes, as well as track current operating temperature, capacity, and total used storage space. Useful for keeping tabs on a drive that’s being pushed close to its TBW limits.

QLC NAND — important to understand — the 256GB Legend 710 uses QLC flash, which has lower write endurance than TLC drives. Suited to read-heavy workloads and light daily use. For write-intensive use, consider a TLC alternative in our NVMe range.

TBW note — the 256GB Legend 710 carries a 65TBW endurance rating — the lowest in our NVMe range. Fine for light OS and application use, but not the right choice for sustained write-heavy workloads or high-turnover storage.

Heatsink clearance — the included heatsink adds approximately 1mm of height to the drive. In most desktop M.2 slots this is fine, but verify clearance against adjacent PCIe slots or the motherboard chipset heatsink before installing. Not recommended for installation in laptops where space is tighter.

256GB-specific specs — the 2,400/1,800MB/s figures widely advertised for the Legend 710 apply to the 512GB and 1TB variants. The 256GB model is rated at 2,100 / 1,000MB/s read/write with 90K/130K random IOPS.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 256GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 / NVMe 1.4
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 2,100 / 1,000 MB/s
• Random 4K Read/Write IOPS: Up to 90,000 / 130,000
• NAND: SpecTek 232-layer QLC (Micron-derived)
• Controller: Realtek RTS5766DL (DRAM-less)
• DRAM Cache: None (HMB + SLC caching used)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Encryption: AES-256-bit hardware
• Shock Resistance: 1,500G / 0.5ms
• MTBF: 1,500,000 hours
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 70°C
• Storage Temp: -40°C – 85°C
• Dimensions (with heatsink): 80 × 22 × 3.13mm
• Weight (with heatsink): 9g
• TBW: 65TB
• Software: ADATA SSD Toolbox
• Warranty: 3-year limited

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The MTE245S brings PCIe Gen 4 performance to the standard M.2 2280 slot — the most common M.2 form factor found in modern desktop motherboards and mid-range laptops. Built with the PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface, 3D NAND flash, and a multi-channel controller, the MTE245S is a forward-looking solution that also maintains backwards compatibility with PCIe 3.0 — so it’ll work in any NVMe M.2 slot, delivering Gen 4 speeds where the platform supports it and falling back gracefully to Gen 3 where it doesn’t.

The integrated ultra-thin graphene heatsink is included in the box — a practical premium touch that reduces operating temperatures during sustained workloads. Unlike bulkier aluminium heatsinks, the graphene heatsink is ultra-thin and adds minimal height, making it compatible with most desktop M.2 slots without clearance concerns.

3D TLC NAND and Multi-Channel Controller

The MTE245S uses a multi-channel controller capable of handling 3D TLC NAND across up to eight flash memory channels, with each lane supporting speeds of up to 1,066MT/s. TLC NAND stores three bits per cell — a better endurance proposition than the QLC used in some competing budget PCIe 4 drives — and the multi-channel architecture ensures the controller can keep pace with the Gen 4 interface during sustained operations.

LDPC ECC and Dynamic Thermal Throttling

The MTE245S is engineered with LDPC (Low-Density Parity Check) coding, a powerful ECC algorithm, to help keep data secure. A dynamic thermal throttling mechanism is also built in — actively managing drive temperature under sustained load to prevent performance degradation and protect drive longevity. Combined with the graphene heatsink, thermal management on the MTE245S is better considered than most drives at this price point.

SSD Scope — Health Monitoring and Firmware Updates

Transcend’s SSD Scope software is available as a free download and provides drive health monitoring, S.M.A.R.T. data reporting, firmware update management, and remaining lifespan tracking. For a drive that will be used as a primary OS and applications disk over a 5-year warranty period, having reliable health visibility is a practical advantage.

5-Year Warranty and Strong Endurance Terms

The 250GB MTE245S carries 150TBW endurance, a 2,000,000 hour MTBF, and 0.33 DWPD over five years, all covered by a 5-year limited warranty. That warranty length and MTBF figure place it firmly in the premium tier despite the entry-level price — and 150TBW at 250GB is proportionally stronger than the Patriot P300’s 80TBW at 256GB or the ADATA Legend 710’s 65TBW.

PCIe Gen 4 slot recommended — the MTE245S delivers full performance on a PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slot. It is backwards compatible with Gen 3 slots at approximately half the rated sequential speeds. For the full 3,200MB/s read figure, a Gen 4-capable platform is required.

250GB write speed — the 250GB model is rated at 1,400MB/s write, significantly lower than the 4,600MB/s available on the 2TB and 4TB variants due to fewer NAND dies for parallel writes. Still substantially faster than any SATA drive, and well-suited to OS and application workloads at this capacity.

Graphene heatsink — the included heatsink is ultra-thin and adds minimal height compared to bulkier aluminium alternatives. Suitable for most desktop builds; verify clearance in compact SFF cases.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 250GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4 / NVMe 1.4 (backwards compatible with PCIe Gen 3)
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 3,200 / 1,400 MB/s
• Random 4K Read/Write IOPS: Up to 500,000 / 630,000 (range-rated)
• NAND: 3D TLC NAND
• Controller: Multi-channel (DRAM-less)
• DRAM Cache: None
• Heatsink: Integrated ultra-thin graphene heatsink (included)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC (3rd generation)
• Features: SLC Cache, Dynamic Thermal Throttling, S.M.A.R.T., TRIM, Garbage Collection
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours
• DWPD: 0.33 (over 5 years)
• TBW: 150TB
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 70°C
• OS Compatibility: Windows 7 or later; Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or later
• Software: Transcend SSD Scope (download)
• Warranty: 5-year limited

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The Legend 860 is fully backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 platforms while delivering full PCIe Gen 4 x4 performance where the platform supports it. At 5,000MB/s read and 3,000MB/s write, the 500GB model sits well above the budget Gen 4 tier — providing a practical performance advantage for gaming, creative work, and multitasking that budget-tier alternatives at this capacity don’t match. The LEGEND 860 provides excellent output for mid-to-high-end productions such as film and television animation, machine learning, and product modelling, and makes a capable everyday drive for demanding desktop and laptop workloads.

PS5 Storage Expansion — Officially Compatible

The LEGEND 860 utilises a PCIe 4.0 transmission interface and can be installed in the PS5 as an expansion drive to alleviate PS5 storage insufficiency issues. It fits perfectly into the PS5’s drive slot and provides a smooth, no-lag gaming experience. The included heatsink satisfies Sony’s heatsink recommendation for M.2 expansion drives in the PS5, meaning no additional purchase is required.

SLC Cache, HMB, and LDPC ECC

The Legend 860 utilises an SLC cache algorithm and HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology to take advantage of caching, and adopts LDPC (Low-Density Parity Check Code) error correction to ensure the accuracy of data transmission and file security. The SLC cache handles burst write workloads in faster single-level cell mode, while HMB borrows a portion of system RAM to supplement the DRAM-less controller — delivering near-DRAM-cache performance on Windows 10 and later without the cost and power draw of dedicated on-drive RAM.

Heatsink Included — Ready for PS5 and Demanding Desktops

The aluminium heatsink ships in the box and mounts directly to the drive. The integrated heatsink maintains optimal performance under high workloads, keeping temperatures in check during sustained transfers and gaming sessions. At 3.13mm total height with the heatsink fitted, it’s compatible with most desktop M.2 slots — verify clearance in compact SFF cases.

SSD Toolbox and S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring

SSD Toolbox ensures users have the latest firmware version for the best performance and employs S.M.A.R.T. to monitor the health and remaining lifespan of the drive, as well as the current operating temperature and storage capacity — allowing users to track SSD status at any time. A practical inclusion for a drive that will serve as primary storage in a gaming console or workstation over a 5-year warranty period.

5-Year Warranty and Strong Endurance

The 500GB Legend 860 carries a 160TBW endurance rating and a 2,000,000 hour MTBF, backed by a 5-year limited warranty. That’s nearly three times the TBW of the Crucial E100 480GB at a similar capacity, and the 5-year coverage matches the best warranty in this range. For a primary OS, games, and applications drive, 160TBW is a genuinely comfortable long-term figure.

PCIe Gen 4 slot recommended — full 5,000MB/s read performance requires a PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slot. The Legend 860 is backwards compatible with Gen 3 at approximately half the rated speeds — still a meaningful upgrade over any SATA drive.

500GB-specific speeds — the 500GB model is rated at 5,000MB/s read and 3,000MB/s write. The headline 6,000/5,000MB/s figures apply to the 1TB and 2TB variants.

Heatsink clearance — the included heatsink adds approximately 1mm of height. Suitable for most desktop M.2 slots; verify clearance in compact SFF builds. For PS5 installation, the heatsink fits without modification.

DRAM-less design — the Legend 860 uses HMB rather than on-drive DRAM. HMB is active on Windows 10 and later and on PS5; full benefit requires a compatible NVMe driver on PC.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 500GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4 / NVMe 2.0 (backwards compatible with Gen 3)
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 5,000 / 3,000 MB/s
• NAND: 3D NAND (TLC)
• Controller: DRAM-less (SLC cache + HMB)
• DRAM Cache: None
• Heatsink: Aluminium heatsink included
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Features: SLC Cache, HMB, S.M.A.R.T., TRIM, Garbage Collection
• PS5 Compatible: Yes (heatsink included, no additional purchase needed)
• Shock Resistance: 1,500G / 0.5ms
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 70°C
• Storage Temp: -40°C – 85°C
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours
• TBW: 160TB
• Dimensions (with heatsink): 80 × 22 × 3.13mm
• Weight (with heatsink): 9.5g
• Software: ADATA SSD Toolbox (download)
• Warranty: 5-year limited

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The Legend 800 supports the latest PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface meeting the NVMe 1.4 standard, delivering sequential read and write speeds of 3,500 and 2,800MB/s — up to 2 times faster than a standard PCIe Gen 3 SSD and 6 times faster than a SATA SSD. Notably, the 3,500/2,800MB/s figures are consistent across the 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB models — the write speed doesn’t drop significantly at lower capacities, which is not always the case with budget Gen 4 drives. For a 512GB OS and applications drive, that’s a genuinely strong specification without caveats.

SM2267XT Controller — Capable DRAM-less Design

The Legend 800 uses a Silicon Motion SM2267XT-class controller — a mainstream chip featuring four NAND flash channels at up to 1,200MT/s per channel, designed for HMB and DRAM-less operation. This controller handles 3D TLC NAND efficiently and supports Host Memory Buffer, which allocates a portion of system RAM to improve mapping table performance on Windows 10 and later. Random performance at minimal queue depth is particularly good compared to other entry-level M.2 SSDs at this price point, making the Legend 800 feel snappier in everyday use than its position in the market might suggest.

3D TLC NAND, SLC Cache, and LDPC ECC

The Legend 800 uses 3D TLC NAND with SLC caching and LDPC (Low-Density Parity Check Code) error correction to ensure data accuracy and file security. TLC stores three bits per cell — a better endurance proposition than QLC drives at this price tier. SLC caching handles burst write workloads by temporarily absorbing incoming data in faster single-level cell mode before folding it to TLC. AES 256-bit encryption is also supported, offering hardware-level data security at no performance cost.

Detachable Heatsink — Flexible Installation

The Legend 800’s heatsink uses a black design with bronzing trimming and sandblasted surfaces that dissipates heat incredibly effectively, reducing operating temperature during sustained workloads. Importantly, the heatsink is detachable — which matters if you’re installing into a laptop or a system with an integrated M.2 thermal pad, where a pre-attached heatsink can cause clearance issues. Use it where it fits, remove it where it doesn’t.

PS5 Compatible — No Additional Heatsink Purchase Needed

The Legend 800 is PCIe Gen 4 and fits the PS5’s M.2 2280 expansion slot. With the heatsink included and detachable, it satisfies Sony’s heatsink recommendation for PS5 M.2 installations without requiring a separate purchase — a practical advantage over bare drives at this price point.

SSD Toolbox and S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring

ADATA SSD Toolbox allows monitoring of drive health and remaining lifespan through S.M.A.R.T. attributes, current operating temperature, total space used, and firmware updates. A free download that keeps visibility on a drive carrying your OS and primary data over its 3-year warranty life.

PCIe Gen 4 slot recommended — the Legend 800 delivers full 3,500MB/s read performance on a Gen 4 M.2 slot. It is fully backwards compatible with PCIe Gen 3, where it will operate at approximately half the rated sequential speeds — still substantially faster than SATA.

Heatsink flexibility — the detachable heatsink adds height to the drive. Remove it for laptop installation or where a motherboard M.2 thermal pad is already fitted. Attach it for desktop or PS5 installations.

DRAM-less design — the Legend 800 uses HMB rather than on-drive DRAM. Full HMB benefit is active on Windows 10 and later with compatible NVMe drivers.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 512GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4 / NVMe 1.4 (backwards compatible with Gen 3)
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 3,500 / 2,800 MB/s
• NAND: 3D TLC NAND
• Controller: Silicon Motion SM2267XT-class (DRAM-less)
• DRAM Cache: None (HMB + SLC caching used)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Encryption: AES-256-bit hardware
• Heatsink: Detachable (included)
• Features: SLC Cache, HMB, LDPC ECC, AES-256, SMART, TRIM, Garbage Collection
• PS5 Compatible: Yes
• Shock Resistance: 1,500G / 0.5ms
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 70°C
• Storage Temp: -40°C – 85°C
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours
• TBW: 210TB
• Dimensions (with heatsink): 80 × 22 × 6.1mm
• Software: ADATA SSD Toolbox (download)
• Warranty: 3-year limited

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The Legend 970 uses a Phison E26 controller paired with Micron 232-layer TLC NAND flash. The Phison PS5026-E26 is an 8-channel PCIe 5.0 controller — the reference silicon for the first generation of consumer Gen 5 drives, and well-understood at this point through extensive third-party testing. TLC NAND stores three bits per cell, giving the Legend 970 a meaningful endurance advantage over QLC-based Gen 5 alternatives. The 2GB of Hynix DDR4 DRAM running at DDR4-2666 supports the controller’s mapping table management — dedicated on-drive DRAM that delivers superior random performance and sustained speed consistency compared to HMB DRAM-less designs.

Active Cooling — A First in Consumer SSD Design

The Legend 970’s heatsink is the most distinctive hardware feature in our entire SSD range. The pre-installed dual-layer aluminium fins create a dense air duct to divert hot and cold air. A built-in micro fan draws cold air from openings in the nameplate and directs it towards the aluminium fins — expelling heat from both sides. This active heat dissipation design delivers significantly cooler temperatures than a fanless heatsink by approximately 10%. PCIe Gen 5 SSDs generate considerably more heat than Gen 4 under sustained load, and the Legend 970’s active cooling addresses this more directly than the thermal labels or passive heatsinks used by competing Gen 5 drives.

The correct perspective on the fan is that ADATA is simply making sure that your SSD gives its full performance at all times — thermal throttling under sustained Gen 5 loads is a real concern for passive designs, and the Legend 970 eliminates it with a purpose-built active cooling solution.

DRAM Cache, SLC Cache, and Real-World Performance

The Legend 970 leverages both a SLC cache algorithm and a DRAM cache buffer, featuring 4K random read/write IOPS up to 1,400K/1,400K. The SLC cache on the 1TB model covers approximately 150GB of incoming sequential writes at full speed — more than sufficient for typical gaming, content creation, and OS workloads. Beyond the SLC cache, sequential write speed settles at around 1,700MB/s — not bad, but a long way from the drive’s peak. For workloads that involve sustained sequential writes beyond 150GB at a stretch, this is worth knowing.

LDPC ECC, AES-256, and SSD Toolbox

The Legend 970 adopts LDPC error correction and AES 256-bit high-level encryption technology to ensure the accuracy of data transmission and the security of files. ADATA’s SSD Toolbox provides drive information, diagnostics, secure erase and firmware update utilities, TRIM settings, benchmarking, and drive cloning capability. ADATA also includes Backup ToGo for wider storage media backup functionality.

700TBW and 5-Year Warranty — Serious Long-Term Coverage

ADATA backs the Legend 970 with a 5-year warranty and a 700TBW endurance rating per TB of capacity. At 700TBW for the 1TB model, that’s the highest TBW figure in our entire NVMe range — over four times the ADATA Legend 800’s 210TBW at 512GB, and dramatically ahead of the budget Gen 4 tier. MTBF is rated at 1,600,000 hours.

PCIe Gen 5 slot required — the Legend 970 requires a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for its full rated performance. It is backwards compatible with PCIe 4.0, where it operates at approximately half the rated speeds. PCIe Gen 5 M.2 is found on Intel 12th/13th/14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000-series platforms with appropriate Gen 5-capable motherboards — verify slot support before ordering.

Active fan requires SATA power — the heatsink fan is connected via a SATA power cable, which requires an available SATA power connector from the PSU to activate the active cooling effect. Systems without SATA power available (e.g. all-NVMe builds without optical drives or SATA storage) may need an adaptor. The drive functions without fan power but with reduced thermal headroom under sustained loads.

Heatsink clearance — the pre-installed heatsink requires adequate installation space. If your motherboard has its own M.2 heatsink, remove it first before installing the Legend 970. The dual-layer fin stack is substantially taller than a typical M.2 heatsink — verify clearance against adjacent PCIe slots, RAM, and the CPU cooler.

1TB vs 2TB speeds — the 10,000/10,000MB/s headline applies to the 2TB model. The 1TB is rated at 9,500/8,500MB/s — still the highest sequential figures in this range, but worth noting the distinction.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 1TB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen 5 x4 / NVMe 2.0 (backwards compatible with PCIe Gen 4)
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 9,500 / 8,500 MB/s
• Random Read/Write IOPS: Up to 1,300,000 / 1,400,000
• NAND: Micron 232-layer 3D TLC
• Controller: Phison PS5026-E26 (8-channel PCIe 5.0)
• DRAM Cache: 2GB Hynix DDR4-2666 (dedicated on-drive)
• SLC Cache: ~150GB (1TB model)
• Heatsink: Pre-installed dual-layer extruded aluminium fins with active micro fan
• Fan Power: SATA power connector (included cable)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Encryption: AES-256-bit hardware
• MTBF: 1,600,000 hours
• TBW: 700TB
• Software: ADATA SSD Toolbox, Backup ToGo
• Warranty: 5-year limited

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The Legend 970 Pro uses an InnoGrit IG5666 controller — making it one of the first consumer PCIe Gen 5 SSDs to move beyond the Phison E26 that has dominated the Gen 5 market since its introduction. The IG5666 is InnoGrit’s first client-focused PCIe Gen 5 controller, built on a 12nm TSMC process with eight ARM Cortex-R5 cores and NVMe 2.0 support, capable of accessing NAND flash at up to 2,400MT/s. It supports LDPC ECC, DRAM cache, and the PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. The controller is paired with Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND — the same generation of flash used in the best Phison E26 drives, and 2GB of Samsung DDR4-2666 DRAM cache for fast mapping table management.

Cable-Free Active Cooling — The Key Improvement Over the Standard 970

What makes the Legend 970 Pro stand out most clearly is its cooling design. While virtually all Gen 5 SSDs with active fans require external power through a SATA power connector or a PWM header, ADATA engineered a voltage conversion circuit on the PCB which generates the 12V needed for the fan from 3.3V, using a step-up controller — eliminating all cable mess. This directly addresses the most practical frustration with the standard Legend 970, which required a separate SATA power cable. The double-layered aluminium heatsink with integral air ducts and built-in micro fan is designed to support installation in tight spaces where oversized bulky heatsinks cannot fit.

740TBW — The Highest Endurance in This Range

The Legend 970 Pro carries a 740TBW endurance rating per 1TB of capacity — a generous step up from the 600TBW per TB seen on most competing Gen 5 drives. Across our entire SSD range, 740TBW is the highest figure available at 1TB capacity. ADATA backs this with a 5-year limited warranty — a strong long-term commitment on a premium PCIe 5.0 drive.

Performance in Context — What the Reviews Say

The IG5666 delivers strong sequential numbers and excellent random write performance. Synthetic 4K random I/O performance is highly impressive — even tested at 85% drive capacity, not empty. However, independent reviews note that the 1TB model does not consistently reach its peak rated sequential read speed of 14,000MB/s, delivering approximately 13,000MB/s in testing — still outstanding, but worth knowing. Power consumption is notably higher than newer-generation controllers like the SM2508 used in the Crucial T710, making this drive better suited to high-performance desktop builds than thermally constrained systems.

SLC Cache, AES-256, and ADATA Toolbox

The Legend 970 Pro uses a variety of data protection and error correction technologies alongside SLC caching to improve TBW and durability. It features LDPC error correction and AES 256-bit encryption to ensure data accuracy and file security. ADATA’s SSD Toolbox provides drive health monitoring, firmware management, S.M.A.R.T. data, and benchmarking, alongside the Backup ToGo migration utility.

PCIe Gen 5 slot required — full performance requires a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The drive is backwards compatible with PCIe 4.0 at approximately half the rated speeds. Compatible with Intel 13th/14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000-series platforms with Gen 5 M.2 support.

Cable-free fan — the active cooling fan is powered directly by the SSD’s on-board voltage converter. No external SATA cable or PWM header is needed — a significant improvement over the standard Legend 970.

1TB performance note — the 1TB Legend 970 Pro delivers approximately 13,000MB/s sequential read and 5,800–9,500MB/s write in independent testing, below the 14,000/11,000MB/s headline figures which apply to the 4TB model. If maximising sequential throughput at 1TB is the priority, the Crucial T710 1TB offers higher measured sequential speeds at this capacity.

Power consumption — the IG5666 draws more power than the SM2508 in the Crucial T710. This drive is designed for high-performance desktop builds with good airflow and is not suited to thermally constrained systems or laptops.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 1TB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen 5 x4 / NVMe 2.0 (backwards compatible with PCIe Gen 4)
• Sequential Read/Write (rated): Up to 13,000 / 9,500 MB/s
• Random Read/Write IOPS: Up to 1,700,000 / 1,250,000
• NAND: Micron 232-layer 3D TLC
• Controller: InnoGrit IG5666 (8-channel PCIe 5.0, 12nm TSMC, 8x Cortex-R5)
• DRAM Cache: 2GB Samsung DDR4-2666
• SLC Cache: Yes
• Heatsink: Pre-installed dual-layer aluminium fins with active micro fan
• Fan Power: On-board step-up converter (no SATA cable or PWM header required)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Encryption: AES-256-bit hardware
• TBW: 740TB
• Warranty: 5-year limited
• Software: ADATA SSD Toolbox, Backup ToGo

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The Mars 980 Pro and Mars 980 Blade share identical core hardware: the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller, Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND, 2GB on-drive DRAM cache, and the same PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe 2.0 interface. The distinction between the two drives is entirely in how heat is managed. Where the Blade uses a passive heatspreader suited to laptops and thermally moderate environments, the Pro features a precision-engineered aluminium fin heatsink with a hollow airflow structure that separates hot and cool air, with an integrated turbo fan that accelerates heat dissipation. Choose the Blade for laptop or PS5 installs where slim profile matters; choose the Pro for desktop builds where sustained peak performance under load is the priority.

Cable-Free Active Cooling — No SATA Required

Active cooling on the Mars 980 Pro is powered directly from the M.2 slot — no additional charging cable is needed. This is a significant practical improvement over the older Legend 970, which required a SATA power cable to activate its fan. The Pro’s on-board voltage conversion draws the fan’s power from the 3.3V M.2 supply, eliminating cable routing entirely and making installation no more complex than any passive drive.

SM2508 — The Most Efficient PCIe Gen 5 Controller

The SM2508 is an 8-channel PCIe Gen 5 controller built on TSMC’s 6nm process, featuring a quad-core ARM Cortex-R8 CPU complex. Its ~7W maximum power draw is significantly lower than the IG5666 controller used in the Legend 970 Pro — which means the active cooling on the Mars 980 Pro is managing a much smaller thermal load than competing active-cooled Gen 5 drives. The MARS 980 PRO uses carefully selected 232-layer 3D NAND flash and a variety of data protection and error correction technologies to improve TBW and durability to meet high-load requirements.

DRAM Cache, SLC Cache, and Exceptional Random Performance

The Mars 980 Pro comes with SLC caching and a DRAM cache buffer for system loading and data caching advantages, featuring 4K random read/write IOPS up to 2,000K and 1,650K for smoother multitasking. The dedicated on-drive DRAM stores the drive’s mapping tables, delivering consistently low latency on the small random file access patterns that dominate OS workloads — a meaningful advantage over HMB-based DRAM-less designs.

PS5 Compatible, AI Optimised, Intel and AMD Support

The Mars 980 Pro can be installed in the PS5 as an expansion drive, delivering read speeds up to 6,500MB/s in the console. It is optimised for AI workloads and supports the latest Intel and AMD platforms, with full backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 systems.

SSD Toolbox and S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring

SSD Toolbox enhances overall performance and stability through firmware updates, while the Dashboard continuously monitors and reports S.M.A.R.T. data — including SSD health and remaining lifespan, current operating temperature, and storage capacity — so you can stay on top of your SSD status at all times.

PCIe Gen 5 slot required — the Mars 980 Pro delivers full performance on a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. It is backwards compatible with PCIe 4.0 at approximately half the rated sequential speeds.

Heatsink clearance — the heatsink is pre-installed. Ensure your system has sufficient space before installation. If your motherboard includes a pre-mounted M.2 heatsink, remove it first before installing the Mars 980 Pro.

Pro vs Blade — the Mars 980 Pro and Mars 980 Blade are identical in core hardware and rated performance. The Pro adds cable-free active fan cooling suited to demanding desktop workloads; the Blade uses a passive heatspreader suited to laptops, PS5, and compact systems. At 1TB the rated sequential figures are the same.

1TB write speed — the 1TB model is rated at 10,000MB/s write versus 13,000MB/s on the 2TB and 4TB models due to fewer NAND dies. Same characteristic as the Blade variant.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 1TB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen 5 x4 / NVMe 2.0 (backwards compatible with PCIe Gen 4)
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 14,000 / 10,000 MB/s
• PS5 Sequential Read: Up to 6,500 MB/s
• Random 4K Read/Write IOPS: Up to 2,000,000 / 1,650,000
• NAND: Micron 232-layer 3D TLC
• Controller: Silicon Motion SM2508 (8-channel PCIe 5.0, TSMC 6nm)
• DRAM Cache: 2GB LPDDR4-2666
• SLC Cache: Yes
• Heatsink: Pre-installed aluminium alloy heatsink with integrated turbo fan
• Fan Power: Directly from M.2 slot (no SATA cable or PWM header required)
• Active Cooling Advantage: Up to 15% lower temperatures vs fanless
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Encryption: AES (Pyrite)
• PS5 Compatible: Yes
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours
• TBW: 740TB
• Warranty: 5-year limited
• Software: XPG SSD Toolbox, S.M.A.R.T. Dashboard

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.