In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs are pushing the boundaries of storage performance. However, their high price tags often overshadow real-world application benefits, making them appealing mainly to early adopters. Despite their impressive speeds, many users would prefer these improvements to extend beyond synthetic benchmarks to practical use.
Enter the PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs. These drives strike a balance between cost and performance, offering significant speed enhancements without breaking the bank. Teamgroup has tapped into this demand with its innovative NV series, targeting budget-conscious PC builders.
TeamGroup NV5000 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
The TeamGroup NV5000 is a fresh addition to the NV series, crafted for entry-level PC enthusiasts. Built on Gen4 architecture, this SSD offers a 2 TB capacity, operating under the NVMe form factor with 3D NAND flash technology. It’s powered by the Realtek “RTS5772DL” controller, ensuring PCIe 4.0 compliance. The controller is manufactured using TSMC’s 20nm process node and lacks a DRAM cache, instead utilizing a 32 MB HMB (Host Memory Buffer). Its eight channels support flash rates of up to 1600 MT/s. The TeamGroup NV5000 boasts a read speed of 5000 MB/s and a write speed of 3000 MB/s, with an endurance rating of 640 TBW.
Unboxing and Closer Look
Packaged in a standard white and blue box, the TeamGroup NV5000 displays its 2 TB capacity prominently. Inside, the SSD comes with a manual, housed securely within a clamshell plastic case. The NVMe 1.4 form factor device measures 80x22x3.7mm and includes a graphene heat pad, offering enhanced cooling capabilities compared to standard stickers.
Test Setup
For testing, the setup included an Intel Core i9-13900K processor at stock speeds on an MSI Z790 ACE motherboard, paired with 32 GB of G.Skill DDR5 memory and powered by the MSI MEG Ai1300P PSU. The graphics were handled by the MSI GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM X, constructing a high-performance platform suitable for modern SSD assessments.
Conclusion – Entry-Level & That’s About It
The mainstream SSD market is witnessing a shift, with 2 TB drives becoming more accessible, nearing the sub-$100 US range. Teamgroup’s NV5000 series caters to this segment at $133.99 US, fitting comfortably within the competitive $110-$150 US bracket for 2 TB Gen4 SSDs. While it offers a commendable upgrade from older SATA or Gen3 drives, its performance is modest. The Realtek controller’s low power consumption keeps it cool, negating the need for a heatsink. This SSD becomes an attractive choice if priced around $120 US, especially when faster 7 GB/s Gen4 options are available at $135-$140 US.