HP FX900 Plus 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe Internal SSD

The HP FX900 Plus 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD is a high-capacity variant of HP’s budget-friendly Gen4 SSD lineup, offering faster-sustained performance and greater endurance than its 512GB sibling. Here’s an in-depth analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases:

Key Specifications

• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 (compatible with Gen3 systems at reduced speeds).
• Sequential Speeds: Up to 7,100 MB/s read, 6,200 MB/s write (theoretical).
• Capacity: 1TB (also available in 512GB and 2TB).
• NAND Type: 3D TLC NAND with dynamic SLC caching.
• Controller: Phison E21T (DRAM-less, leverages HMB for caching via system RAM).
• Endurance: 800 TBW (Terabytes Written) with a 5-year warranty.
• Form Factor: M.2 2280 (not including heatsink).

Performance Breakdown

1. Speed & Consistency

• Burst Performance: Matches advertised speeds for tasks like OS booting (<10 seconds), game loading (e.g., reducing load times in Cyberpunk 2077 by ~20% vs. SATA SSDs), and file transfers.
• Sustained Writes: Larger SLC cache (~300–400GB for 1TB model) delays performance drops during prolonged writes (e.g., 4K video editing, large dataset exports). Outperforms the 512GB model in heavy workloads.
• Random 4K Performance: ~650K IOPS read / ~800K IOPS write, suitable for multitasking and light database operations.

2. Thermal Management

• Heat Output: Gen4 speeds generate significant heat. Without a heatsink, throttling may occur during extended workloads (e.g., rendering 8K footage). Pair with a motherboard heatsink or third-party cooler (e.g., Sabrent M.2 heatsink) for stability.
• Idle Temps: ~40–45°C (ambient cooling), rising to ~75–80°C under sustained load.

3. Comparison to Competitors

• Samsung 980 Pro 1TB: Superior sustained writes (6,200 MB/s vs. fluctuating FX900 speeds) and Samsung Magician software, but costs ~40% more.
• WD Black SN770 1TB: Similar DRAM-less design but slightly slower writes (~5,150 MB/s); better brand support and software tools.
• Crucial P5 Plus 1TB: Has DRAM cache for better multitasking but slower peak speeds (~6,600 MB/s read).
• Teamgroup Z44L 1TB: Cheaper Gen4 alternative with similar speeds but lower endurance (600 TBW).

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Excellent value for PCIe Gen4 speeds (~$70–$90 for 1TB).
  • A larger SLC cache vs. 512GB model improves sustained performance.
  • Competitive endurance (800 TBW) for moderate professional use.
  • Compact M.2 design, easy to install in laptops/desktops.
• Cons:
  • DRAM-less design limits heavy multitasking (e.g., simultaneous VM/rendering workloads).
  • No included heatsink; thermal throttling risks under sustained loads.
  • HP’s SSD management software is basic compared to Samsung/WD.

Ideal Use Cases

1. Gaming PCs: Faster asset loading in AAA titles (e.g., Starfield, Horizon Forbidden West).
2. Content Creation: Smooth 4K/8K video editing and large photo library management.
3. Workstations: Paired with high-core-count CPUs (e.g., Ryzen 9/Threadripper) for multi-drive setups.
4. Mainstream Upgrades: Replacing older SATA SSDs/HDDs for snappier system responsiveness.

Who Should Buy It?

• Gamers want Gen4 speeds without overspending on flagship drives.
• Content creators on a budget need fast storage for medium workloads.
• PC builders with PCIe Gen4 motherboards (AMD B550/X570, Intel Z690/Z790) maximizing value.
• Users need high-capacity storage for games/media libraries.

Verdict

The HP FX900 Plus 1TB is a compelling mid-tier Gen4 SSD that balances speed, capacity, and affordability. While it can’t match flagship drives (e.g., Samsung 990 Pro) in heavy professional workloads, it outperforms most Gen3 SSDs and rivals like the WD SN770 in price-to-performance. For $70–$90, it’s ideal for:

• Gamers prioritize fast load times.
• Creators handling moderate 4K editing or 3D rendering.
• General users upgrading from SATA or older NVMe drives.

Recommendation: Pair it with a heatsink for sustained workloads, and opt for the 2TB model if you need more endurance. Avoid extreme multitasking or enterprise-tier workloads (e.g., constant 8K video rendering), whereas DRAM-equipped drives (e.g., Seagate FireCuda 530) are better suited.