TeamGroup Z54E Leads New PCIe 5.0 SSDs with 14.9 GB/s Speeds
▼ Summary
– TeamGroup has launched the T-Force Z54E, a PCIe 5.0 SSD featuring Phison’s new E28 controller, making it the first retail drive with this high-performance component.
– The Phison E28 controller, built on TSMC’s 6nm process, offers improved performance and power efficiency over its predecessor and competes with Silicon Motion’s SM2508 in the PCIe 5.0 market.
– The Z54E achieves sequential read/write speeds up to 14,900/14,000 MB/s in its 4TB and 2TB models and uses high-density 3D TLC NAND flash, likely 232-layer NAND from Micron or YMTC.
– It includes TeamGroup’s ultra-thin graphene heatsink for cooling and is backed by a five-year warranty, with endurance ratings of 600 TBW for the 1TB model, doubling with capacity increases.
– TeamGroup has not disclosed pricing, availability, random performance metrics, or DRAM cache capacity for the Z54E, and it does not feature the T-Force Dark Flow active cooler.
TeamGroup’s T-Force Z54E solid-state drive has arrived, setting a new standard for high-performance storage by becoming the first retail SSD to feature Phison’s advanced E28 controller. This PCIe 5.0 M.2 drive is engineered to compete directly with top-tier SSDs, delivering exceptional data transfer speeds and power efficiency that appeal to enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The Phison E28 controller represents a major step forward from the previous E26 model. Built on TSMC’s 6nm process, it offers improved performance while consuming less power. The E28 also serves as Phison’s strategic answer to Silicon Motion’s SM2508, which has been gaining traction in the PCIe 5.0 controller space. With this new silicon, Phison aims to reclaim its leadership in the high-performance SSD market.
TeamGroup’s Z54E is among the initial wave of consumer PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 drives to adopt the E28 controller. While the company hasn’t detailed the exact flash memory used, it confirms the drive is built with high-density 3D TLC NAND. Industry observers suggest this likely points to 232-layer NAND, possibly sourced from suppliers such as Micron or YMTC.
Key specifications for the Z54E include sequential read speeds reaching 14,900 MB/s and write speeds up to 14,000 MB/s in the 2TB and 4TB models. The 1TB version offers slightly lower sequential write performance, around 13,700 MB/s. TeamGroup has not released random performance data, but the drive does include a DRAM cache, though its exact capacity remains unspecified.
Endurance ratings are competitive, with the 1TB model supporting 600 terabytes written (TBW), doubling to 1,200 TBW for the 2TB version and 2,400 TBW for the 4TB model. These figures are on par with rival offerings like the WD Black SN8100 and Samsung 990 Pro.
To manage operating temperatures, the Z54E comes with TeamGroup’s ultra-thin graphene heatsink. This passive cooling solution is expected to be sufficient, as the E28 controller has a maximum power draw of about 7W. TeamGroup has opted not to bundle the drive with its active T-Force Dark Flow cooler for this release.
The Z54E is backed by a five-year limited warranty. Pricing and availability details have not yet been announced, but updates will follow as more information becomes available.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
