Kingston Fury Renegade 8TB SSD Review: Speed & Capacity Tested
▼ Summary
– The Kingston Fury Renegade G5 is an 8TB PCIe 5.0 SSD that uses the same Silicon Motion SM2508 controller and Kioxia 218-layer BiCS8 TLC NAND flash combination as the top-performing WD SN8100.
– Its standout feature is its single-sided 8TB capacity, enabled by the dense NAND, which maintains compatibility with both PCs and gaming consoles.
– In benchmarks, the G5 delivers outstanding sequential read/write speeds that slightly exceed the SN8100 and outperforms competitors like the Crucial T710, while also running cooler.
– However, its random 4K read performance is lower than the SN8100’s, likely a firmware trade-off for better temperature control and broader compatibility.
– The drive is exceptionally expensive and has limited availability, making it a premium choice for users needing massive capacity rather than a cost-effective solution.
For those seeking the absolute pinnacle of storage speed and capacity, the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 8TB SSD presents a compelling, if expensive, argument. It leverages a proven hardware combination to deliver chart-topping performance, making it a powerhouse for enthusiasts with extensive game libraries and the budget to match.
This drive stands out because it pairs the same core components found in the highly-regarded WD SN8100: the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller and Kioxia’s 218-layer BiCS8 TLC NAND. What Kingston has done is take this established formula and scale it up to an impressive 8TB capacity. The efficiency of the BiCS8 NAND is key here, allowing for such a high density that the entire 8TB of storage fits on a single-sided design. This means the drive remains compatible with gaming consoles and tight PC builds, a significant advantage for a drive of this size.
Benchmark results confirm the raw speed. In sequential read and write tests, the G5 actually slightly outperforms its inspiration, hitting speeds over 14,800 MB/s and 14,000 MB/s respectively. It also maintains remarkably cool temperatures, peaking at just 63°C under load, which is notably lower than many competing high-performance drives. This thermal efficiency likely contributes to its excellent performance in real-world gaming tests, such as posting a swift 6.626-second load time in Final Fantasy XIV.
However, the drive isn’t without its trade-offs. Its random 4K read performance is a step behind the SN8100, a compromise that may be a firmware choice to prioritize those lower temperatures and broader compatibility. The most substantial considerations, though, are availability and price. With a cost hovering around £1,000, it represents a significant investment. While you are paying for unmatched capacity and top-tier sequential speed, the value per gigabyte is high.
Ultimately, the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 8TB is a phenomenal technical achievement. It delivers incredible performance and massive storage in a versatile, single-sided package. Yet, its lofty price tag forces a practical question: for most users, a lower-capacity model with the same stellar hardware might offer a much more cost-effective path to blistering speed without the premium for extreme space.
(Source: PC Gamer)
