Biwin’s PCIe 4.0 SSD: The Best Value We’ve Tested in Years
▼ Summary
– PCIe 4.0 SSD prices dropped significantly, with drives like the Biwin Black Opal NV7400 maintaining affordability despite attempts to raise prices.
– The NV7400 uses the same MaxioTech MAP1602A controller as Lexar’s NM790 but pairs it with either Micron or YMTC NAND, offering similar performance at a lower price.
– Priced at $120 for 2TB ($0.06 per gigabyte), the NV7400 is a budget-friendly option with high sequential read speeds of up to 7400 MB/s.
– While its random read/write speeds lag behind other PCIe 4.0 drives, its gaming performance (e.g., loading Final Fantasy XIV in 7.4 seconds) remains competitive.
– PCIe 5.0 drives are gaining traction with better random speeds and falling prices, but the NV7400 still offers exceptional value for budget-conscious gamers.
Solid state drives have never been more affordable, and the latest generation of PCIe 4.0 models continues to deliver exceptional value. Among these, the Biwin Black Opal NV7400 stands out as one of the most compelling budget-friendly options we’ve tested in recent memory, combining impressive speeds with wallet-friendly pricing.
At the heart of the NV7400 lies the MaxioTech MAP1602A controller, the same chip found in Lexar’s NM790, our previous top pick for budget SSDs. While the Lexar exclusively uses YMTC 232-layer TLC NAND, Biwin’s version incorporates either Micron or YMTC memory, though performance remains nearly identical. What sets the NV7400 apart is its aggressive pricing, just $120 for the 2TB model at MSRP, undercutting even the best discounts we’ve seen on competing drives. That works out to a mere $0.06 per gigabyte, an outstanding deal for a high-performance SSD.
Speed is where the NV7400 truly shines, living up to its name with sequential read speeds hitting 7,370 MB/s in our tests, close enough to its advertised 7,400 MB/s to make little practical difference. This puts it among the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives available, a remarkable feat for a budget-oriented product.
However, random read/write performance doesn’t quite match up to higher-end competitors, which could be a consideration for gamers who prioritize quick asset loading. That said, real-world gaming performance remains strong, with titles like Final Fantasy XIV loading in just 7.4 seconds, on par with other PCIe 4.0 drives we’ve tested. For secondary storage or a budget gaming build, the trade-off is easy to justify given the drive’s capacity and price.
While PCIe 5.0 SSDs are gaining traction with improved random performance and falling prices, the NV7400 remains one of the best value propositions for those who don’t need cutting-edge speeds. If you’re looking for affordable, high-capacity storage without sacrificing too much performance, this drive deserves serious consideration.
For a deeper dive into its capabilities, check out our full review, or explore our recommendations for the best SSDs for gaming to see how it stacks up against the competition.
(Source: PC Gamer)
