Blazingly Fast in the Right Enclosure | Review by Erik VlietinckCrucial P5 M.2 NVMe Module
The Crucial P5 M.2 NVMe Gen 3 module is blazingly fast. The 2-TB model I received
easily handles 3,400 MB/s read and 3,000 MB/s write speeds. More importantly, the
P5 is capable of sustaining that speed over longer periods of time, not just bursts.
If you’re going to be using the P5 in an enclosure, the one you use is important,
as some may limit the speed of the memory module to avoid overheating.
In a gaming computer, the peak performance of 3,160 MB/sec read and 2,700
MB/sec write speeds made the P5 live up to its promise; however, to reach top
performance, you’ll need a hefty gaming PC, like a Puget Systems workstation. I took
the module to my local store where they installed it in a gaming computer. The test
results outperformed everything I’ve seen so far from NVMe modules. In systems like
these, the P5 will definitely be faster than anything you’ve seen.
Does all this mean that, if you’re a Mac user, you shouldn’t buy a P5? Well, it
depends. There’s one very good reason why I think you should still consider the
P5 NVMe even if it doesn’t achieve its top performance in a Mac or an external
enclosure, and that’s heat.
When an SSD runs at its highest speed, it generates a lot of heat that needs to be
properly dissipated. The SSD’s throttle mechanism may not kick in as soon or as often
as it will in a not-too-well designed enclosure where heat is allowed to build up.
In that scenario, buying a P5 will allow you to enjoy consistent high-speed levels
as supported within the enclosure or your Mac, which will make it live longer and
have a beneficial effect on the SSD’s overall performance over longer periods of time.
The 2-TB Crucial P5 retails at $339.99 directly from the Crucial web store.
A 250-GB P5 costs $54.99, the 500-GB version retails at $79.99, and the 1-TB model
at $149.99. nCompany: Micron Technology Inc.Price: $339.99 (2-TB)Hot: Speed; low priceNot: REVIEWSPHOTOSHOP USER
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