Hey everyone! I'm thinking about swapping out my current SSD, which I believe is a Crucial P2. It's at 60% health on CrystalDiskInfo, and while I know that's not the only factor, I want to replace it before it fails. I'm specifically looking for an M.2 SSD that has a DRAM cache. I've seen a tier list, but it only shows high-end SSDs and lacks mid-range options. I don't think going for an expensive WD Black SN850x is the best call for my needs since I mostly play a few games and run my OS from it. Any recommendations would be super helpful!
4 Answers
Most mid-range SSDs like the WD SN5000 and SN7100 are really good; they use modern controllers with HMB support, which keeps performance high without needing DRAM. You should also look at Kioxia Exceria series for great value outside the U.S.
Here are a few solid favorites: WD Black SN850x, Crucial T500, Samsung 990 Pro, Fanxiang S880, and SK Hynix Platinum P41. If you're a bit tight on budget, consider some decent DRAM-less options like WD Black SN770 or Lexar NM790. Just a heads up, some folks aren't fans of QLC Flash tech, but I haven't seen it making a huge difference in practice.
Recent SSDs often use HMB instead of DRAM cache, which utilizes a small part of your system RAM for caching instead of including dedicated DRAM. This is seen more often in Gen 4 SSDs, but it’s becoming more common across the board. It’s also essential to check the TBW rating of SSDs since some, like the Crucial P series, use low-end QLC NAND, which could die out quickly. For durability, check out the Seagate 530R or consider the Phison E16 drives if you can find them.
Keep in mind that HMB isn’t a complete substitute for DRAM; it's more of a cheaper alternative. With a regular DRAM cache, an SSD can manage latency better than those using HMB. If you're wondering about compatibility, HMB should still work on a Gen 3 motherboard, but it might not perform as well.
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