I'm seeking advice on the best SSDs for my video editing setup involving 6K RED RAW and After Effects on my M2 Pro MacBook. I'll be using an Acasis TBU405air enclosure, which is fanless and runs at 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4. Since the drive will be connected 24/7, it's important that it has low idle power and heat.
Here are the 2TB SSD options I'm considering:
- DRAM-less: PNY CS2241 ($127), Kingston NV3 ($142), WD-SN580 ($142), Addlink S93 ($160), Lexar NM790 ($166)
- With DRAM: Crucial T700 ($166), SN850X ($208), 990 Pro ($212)
I have a few key questions:
1. Is using DRAM-less/HMB SSDs feasible on macOS since HMB won't function? Would this impact performance for sustained AE cache writes?
2. Will the Gen5 T700 drive run excessively hot and throttle in my fanless setup, even if it's bottlenecked by Thunderbolt 4?
3. Is it worth investing extra in the 990 Pro or SN850X for DRAM, or should I lean towards the cheaper options like the T700 or SN580 for good value?
4. Do any of you have firsthand experience with these SSDs that you could recommend for my video editing tasks?
3 Answers
It looks like you're in the right spot for SSD advice, but you might want to check out forums specifically for Mac users for better insights. I can’t say for sure about all those models, but DRAM-less drives can really struggle with sustained writes, especially with something like After Effects, which is probably a big deal for your workflow. Maybe avoid those unless you're willing to take a risk on their performance.
Honestly, the SN850X and 990 Pro are solid choices, especially for heavy editing tasks like yours. They might be pricier, but you get reliability and speed that can handle the demands of 6K footage without hiccups. I’d say don’t skimp on the DRAM if it’s within your budget!
Just a heads up, the T700 uses the E26 controller which can get pretty hot. I'd recommend looking into more power-efficient options like the WD_Black SN850X or the SK Hynix Platinum P41, which provide good performance without burning up. Given your setup, I think a DRAM option will serve you better in the long run.
Good to know! I'll keep that in mind. It sounds like the SN850X or 990 Pro might be the safest bet for my work.
Thanks, I’ll look into Mac forums more! I appreciate the heads up about the DRAM-less drives.