Test protocol:
For this test we will use a part of the 2020 SSD protocol and we’ll add some recently released benchmarks to compare the data. To make sure we get the maximum bandwidth, we will use the latest Alder Lake platform from Intel. The SSD is inserted into the M.2 PCIe Gen 4 x4 slot closest to the CPU. We also added the heatsink on the motherboard, which must first be unscrewed before accessing the M.2 slot.
Why do we use an extra heatsink?
In our configuration, the slot used is the one closest to the CPU. The main reason is that it is the only PCIe 4.0 line directly connected to the CPU. The other two are connected through the Z690 chipset, which would mean sharing the chipset bandwidth with other components.
Thus, if the SSD is able to use all the bandwidth it is allowed, it may heat up a lot. Add to this the presence of the GPU which blows hot air right underneath. These heat sinks are therefore necessary in such configurations. In addition, too high temperatures can even damage the SSD in the long run.
Benchmarks used :
- Final Fantasy XIV Benchmark
- PCMark8 Storage (Battlefield 3 v2 and Adobe Photoshop Heavy v2)
- 3DMark Storage Benchmark
- Crystal Disk Mark
- ATTO Disk Benchmark
- HD Tune Pro
- AS SSD Benchmark (bonus)
- Anvil’s storage utilities (bonus )
Test configuration
- Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4
- Processor: Intel i5-12600KF
- Memory: 2×16 GB G.SKILL TRIDENT Z (4100 MT/s CL 16-16-16-32 2T)
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 3080 FE
- Cooling system: EK AIO 360 d-RGB
- SSD: KINGSTON FURY RENEGADE 2 TO (with additional heatsink)
- Power supply: MSI MPG A850GF 850W
- Operating system : Windows 11 (installed on the SSD)
