ADATA Legend 960 MAX
M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 4
Introduction
The ADATA Legend 960 MAX is a cutting-edge PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid-state drive designed to meet the demands of high-performance computing, content creation, and gaming. This SSD offers impressive speeds, ample storage options, and advanced features that position it as a competitive option in the current market for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Product Overview
The ADATA Legend 960 MAX is a high-speed M.2 2280 form factor SSD that utilizes the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and NVMe 1.4 protocol. Available in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, this drive caters to users requiring both speed and substantial storage. The Legend 960 MAX is equipped with 3D NAND flash memory and a Silicon Motion SM2264 controller, promising excellent performance and reliability[1][3].
Key Features
Advanced PCIe 4.0 Technology
The Legend 960 MAX leverages PCIe 4.0 technology to deliver exceptional read and write speeds. With sequential read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds reaching 6,800 MB/s, this drive offers performance that is approximately four times faster than standard PCIe 3.0 SSDs[6].
Efficient Thermal Management
ADATA has incorporated a sophisticated cooling solution in the Legend 960 MAX. The drive features an aluminum alloy casing with a unique 3D radiator fin profile, which provides an additional 40% cooling effect compared to standard SSDs. This design ensures optimal performance even under heavy workloads and in compact systems[6][1].
Compatibility with Next-Gen Gaming Consoles
The Legend 960 MAX is designed to be compatible with the PlayStation 5, offering gamers an excellent option for expanding their console's storage capacity. Its high-speed performance and available 4TB capacity make it an ideal choice for storing and running large game libraries[6][4].
Performance Analysis
Sequential Speeds
The ADATA Legend 960 MAX boasts impressive sequential read and write speeds. With read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,800 MB/s, this drive delivers exceptional performance for tasks such as large file transfers, video editing, and loading complex applications[1][3].
Random Performance
Random read and write performance is equally important for overall system responsiveness. The Legend 960 MAX offers random read speeds of up to 750K IOPS and write speeds of up to 630K IOPS. These figures indicate excellent performance for tasks like booting operating systems, launching applications, and handling multiple simultaneous operations[2][3].
Thermal Management
The Legend 960 MAX's thermal management system is a standout feature. The integrated heatsink with its 3D radiator fin design provides efficient heat dissipation, allowing the drive to maintain high performance levels even under sustained workloads. In testing, the drive has shown the ability to operate at a constant 59°C under continuous load, which is well within safe operating temperatures[11][6].
Compatibility
PlayStation 5
The ADATA Legend 960 MAX is fully compatible with the PlayStation 5 console. It meets Sony's requirements for PS5 storage expansion, offering read speeds of up to 6,400 MB/s when installed in the console. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers looking to expand their PS5's storage capacity without compromising on performance[4][5].
PC Systems
The drive is compatible with both desktop and laptop computers that support the M.2 2280 form factor and PCIe 4.0 interface. It is optimized for use with the latest Intel and AMD platforms, ensuring broad compatibility across modern PC systems[1][3].
Advantages and Limitations
Strengths
High-speed performance: The Legend 960 MAX offers exceptional read and write speeds, making it suitable for demanding tasks such as 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and high-end gaming[1][3].
Effective thermal management: The integrated heatsink design allows for sustained high performance without thermal throttling, addressing a common issue with high-speed SSDs[6][11].
Constraints
Price point: While offering competitive performance, the Legend 960 MAX may be priced higher than some alternatives, particularly in the 1TB capacity range[10].
Limited SLC cache: The drive's SLC cache, at approximately 30GB, is smaller than some competitors, which may affect sustained write performance in very large file transfers[7].
Conclusion
The ADATA Legend 960 MAX is a high-performance PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD that offers impressive speeds, effective thermal management, and compatibility with both PC systems and the PlayStation 5. Its strengths in sequential and random performance, coupled with the efficient cooling solution, make it an attractive option for enthusiasts, content creators, and gamers. While it may come at a premium price point and has a limited SLC cache, the overall package presents a compelling choice for those seeking top-tier storage performance in a variety of applications.
Works Cited
ADATA Technology. "LEGEND 960 PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive." ADATA, www.adata.com/storage/downloadfile/legend_960_pcie_gen4_x4_m2_2280_ssd_datasheet.pdf. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
TechPowerUp. "ADATA Legend 960 Max 2 TB Specs." TechPowerUp, www.techpowerup.com/ssd-specs/adata-legend-960-max-2-tb.d1177. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
GamingPH. "ADATA Legend 960 Max PCIe 4.0 SSD Review: A Compact M.2 Drive with Efficient Heatsink for Compact Systems." GamingPH, gamingph.com/2024/01/adata-legend-960-max-pcie-4-0-ssd-review-a-compact-m-2-drive-with-efficient-heatsink-for-compact-systems/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
