SMI SM2504XT ES 2TB SSD Review: A Budget PCIe 5.0 Powerhouse
▼ Summary
– Silicon Motion’s new SM2504XT controller targets the mid-range PCIe 5.0 SSD market, competing directly with Phison’s E31T.
– The DRAM-less, four-channel controller offers high performance with speeds up to 11,500 MB/s read and excellent power efficiency, making it ideal for laptops and small-form-factor PCs.
– Built on 6nm technology, the controller is designed for lower power consumption and heat generation, which benefits hardware longevity.
– The drive is a single-sided design capable of capacities from 512GB to 4TB, with potential for 8TB using future 2Tb NAND flash dies.
– Reviewers found the SM2504XT to be a compelling next-generation drive that delivers impressive performance for its segment, continuing the success of the SM2508.
The SMI SM2504XT ES 2TB SSD emerges as a compelling budget-friendly contender in the PCIe 5.0 storage arena, delivering impressive next-generation speeds without the premium price tag. Building on the success of its predecessor, this drive leverages a new four-channel controller to challenge established players like Phison’s E31T, offering a blend of high performance and excellent power efficiency that is particularly appealing for modern computing needs.
Silicon Motion’s latest controller demonstrates a clear strategic focus. Rather than competing solely on the bleeding edge with eight-channel, DRAM-equipped monsters, the SM2504XT carves out a smart niche. By omitting DRAM and utilizing a Host Memory Buffer (HMB) design, the controller achieves a significant reduction in power consumption. This makes the drive an ideal candidate for laptops, small-form-factor PCs, and other devices where thermal management and battery life are critical. While enthusiasts might gravitate towards more expensive options, this drive proves that top-tier performance isn’t always necessary for an exceptional user experience.
The specifications are formidable for a drive positioned in this segment. The reviewed 2TB model boasts sequential read and write speeds up to 11,500 MB/s and 11,000 MB/s, respectively, putting it roughly on par with competing solutions like the Phison E31T. Random performance is equally robust, reaching up to 1,700K IOPS for reads and 2,000K IOPS for writes. The controller supports the TCG Opal 2.0 specification for optional hardware-based encryption, and we anticipate retail drives will carry a standard five-year warranty with an endurance rating around 600 terabytes written per terabyte of capacity.
A closer examination of the engineering sample reveals a clever single-sided design. Utilizing just one NAND flash package for 2TB of capacity hints at a sophisticated sixteen-die package. This approach not only allows for potential use in shorter M.2 form factors but also indicates that single-sided 4TB capacities are technically feasible. The controller itself is fabricated on a modern 6nm process, contributing to its thermal and power efficiency. It features a triple-core Arm Cortex-R8 processor, providing the computational muscle needed to handle up to two million IOPS, a figure that would have been unthinkable for a value-oriented drive just a generation ago.
It is important to contextualize this raw power. While high IOPS numbers are impressive on a spec sheet, the real-world benefits manifest as reduced latency and snappier performance during everyday tasks like file transfers, especially at lower queue depths. The combination of this powerful controller and contemporary 3D TLC NAND flash ensures that the experience should feel genuinely next-generation.
Looking at the broader market, the decision to wait for 6nm technology appears shrewd. As the PCIe 5.0 ecosystem continues to mature, offering a drive that generates less heat and uses less power is a significant advantage, even if the immediate impact on most desktop systems is modest. The main consideration for potential buyers will be platform compatibility. Placing this PCIe 5.0 drive into a PCIe 4.0 motherboard slot negates its speed advantage and represents a poor value compared to existing PCIe 4.0 alternatives. However, for users with current or upcoming PCIe 5.0 systems, the SM2504XT ES presents a very attractive balance of price, performance, and efficiency.
The software landscape for retail versions will depend on the drive’s partners, who will typically provide their own SSD management toolboxes, often bundled with cloning software like Acronis True Image. For users seeking free alternatives, applications such as CrystalDiskInfo for health monitoring and Clonezilla for system imaging are excellent options.
In summary, the SMI SM2504XT ES is a testament to the healthy competition in the SSD controller market. It delivers a compelling package that brings true PCIe 5.0 performance into a more accessible price bracket. For builders focused on efficiency and value without wanting to sacrifice modern speed, this controller platform and the drives based on it are certainly worth close attention.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
