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Acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop - Intel Core i9-13900H - 16GB RAM - 512GB SSD - Windows 11 Home (NX.JSDAA.001)
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    XPG BLADE M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 5.0 x4 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with DRAM Cache, Speed up to 14000mb/s SMAR-980B-2TCS

    • 1TB
    • 2TB
    • 4TB
    • 8TB
    • M.2 2280
    • 2TB
    • PCI-Express 5.0 x4
    • Speed up to 14000mb/s
    🔥Don't forget your OS, we have Windows 11 OEM, Download and USB versions available
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    Overview
    Specs
    Reviews (7)
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    Warranty & Returns

    Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information

    Warranty

    • Limited Warranty period (parts): 5 years
    • Limited Warranty period (labor): 5 years
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    The XPG BLADE 2TB is a PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD with 2GB of DRAM, sequential speeds up to 14,000MB/s read and 13,000MB/s write, and up to 2,000,000/1,650,000 random read/write IOPS, making it suitable for high-performance gaming PCs and demanding workloads on compatible systems.

    Recommended For

    • PC builders choosing a PCIe 5.0 main drive for Windows and frequently used applications; reviews highlight the MARS 980 BLADE’s strong random-read/write performance and low latency, which suit everyday system responsiveness.
    • Laptop owners with a compatible M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 slot who want a high-capacity internal SSD; XPG positions the Blade as laptop-ready, but fit and performance depend on the laptop’s slot and clearance.
    • PS5 owners adding 2TB of internal game storage who want a drive that XPG lists as PS5-compatible; the included low-profile heat spreader is useful for installations without a built-in M.2 heatsink.
    • Users who regularly handle large transfers but do not need top advertised write speed indefinitely; one 2TB review found about 380GB of full-speed writes before speeds settled around 1.5–1.7GB/s after the SLC cache filled.

    Real-World Use Scenarios

    • Using it as the main Windows drive for booting and launching everyday apps: review testing found especially strong small-file performance, which suits the frequent short reads and writes involved in normal system use.
    • Adding a game library to a compatible PCIe 5.0 desktop: it provides responsive storage for loading, installing, moving, and recording games, though benchmark results don’t mean every game will load dramatically faster than it would on a good existing SSD.
    • Copying large video, photo, or project folders between fast drives: the MARS 980 BLADE handles large transfers at high speed, but review tests found real-world transfer performance broadly competitive rather than consistently ahead of other flagship SSDs.
    • Expanding a PS5’s internal game storage: ADATA lists the 2TB drive as PS5-compatible, so it can add room for installed games; check the console’s fit and installation requirements, and expect the PS5—not the drive’s PC-rated Gen5 speed—to determine performance.

    Spec Summary

    AttributeValue
    Best ForConsumer storage for gaming and content creation, including compatible Sony PlayStation 5 systems
    Capacity2TB
    Interface And Form FactorInternal M.2 2280 SSD with PCIe 5.0 x4 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol
    Read And Write PerformanceSequential speeds up to 14,000 MB/s read and 13,000 MB/s write; random 4KB performance up to 2,000,000 IOPS read and 1,650,000 IOPS write
    Memory And Cache3D NAND with a 2GB DRAM cache and SLC caching
    Controller And Data IntegritySMI SM2508 controller with Pyrite encryption support and LDPC ECC
    Endurance And Operating ConditionsRated for 1,480TB written; operating temperature 0°C to 70°C, storage temperature -40°C to 85°C, and shock resistance up to 1,500G
    Cooling And Physical DetailsIncludes a heatsink; listed weight is 12g
    Model IdentifiersXPG BLADE series, model SMAR-980B-2TCS

    Reference Q&A

    Q: Should I get the XPG MARS 980 BLADE or Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB?

    A: Both are PCIe 5.0 x4, 2TB M.2 2280 SSDs. The Samsung 9100 PRO has slightly higher rated sequential speeds—up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s read/write versus 14,000/13,000 MB/s for the MARS 980 BLADE. Choose the Samsung if those peak sequential figures are your priority; consider the XPG when its price is lower or its low-profile heatsink design better suits your build. A review found the XPG particularly strong in random-write testing, while noting it was slightly behind competitors in some real-world transfers.

    Q: Is the MARS 980 BLADE worth choosing over the MARS 970 PLUS?

    A: Choose the MARS 980 BLADE when you want the higher rated performance: ADATA lists up to 14,000/13,000 MB/s sequential read/write for the BLADE, compared with up to 11,000/10,000 MB/s for the MARS 970 PLUS. The 970 PLUS may suit a build where its lower published speed tier is sufficient and it costs less; compare current prices and confirm the capacity-specific specifications before buying.

    Q: Should I buy the MARS 980 BLADE or a PCIe 4.0 SSD like the Samsung 990 PRO?

    A: Pick the MARS 980 BLADE if your system supports PCIe 5.0 and you regularly move large files or run storage-heavy workloads where higher sequential throughput can help. A PCIe 4.0 drive such as the Samsung 990 PRO can be a practical choice for general gaming and everyday use, especially if it costs less or your system has no PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The BLADE’s higher interface speed does not by itself guarantee faster-feeling game loads.

    Q: Is the MARS 980 BLADE a better fit than a bulky Gen5 SSD for a laptop or PS5?

    A: The MARS 980 BLADE is positioned for laptops and has a low-profile heatsink, making it a candidate when clearance is limited. It is also physically compatible with the PS5 according to ADATA’s compatibility material. Before buying, check the laptop’s M.2 requirements or the console’s clearance and installation guidance; physical fit and cooling depend on the device.

    Q: Will this SSD work with my motherboard or laptop?

    A: It is an M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 5.0 x4 drive. Your device needs a compatible M.2 NVMe slot, and the slot and available clearance must support the drive. Check your system’s specifications before buying.

    Q: Do I need a PCIe 5.0 slot to get the advertised speeds?

    A: Yes. The listed maximums—up to 14,000 MB/s read and 13,000 MB/s write—are product specifications, not guaranteed everyday speeds. To approach them, the system must support PCIe 5.0 x4; actual performance also depends on the host system and workload.

    Q: Will the included heatsink fit in my laptop?

    A: The product listing identifies this drive as having a heatsink, but it does not provide the heatsink’s dimensions. Laptop clearance varies, so confirm the laptop’s M.2 drive-height limit and the SSD’s exact dimensions before purchasing.

    Q: Can I use this SSD to expand PS5 storage?

    A: The product listing describes the 2TB model as suitable for PS5 expansion, but confirm the complete drive-and-heatsink dimensions meet the console’s limits before installing. The listing does not provide those dimensions; Best Buy’s PS5 guide specifies a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 drive and a cooling structure within the console’s size limits.

    Q: Is the XPG MARS 980 BLADE worth choosing over a Gen4 SSD?

    A: Consider it if your system supports PCIe 5.0 and your work benefits from high storage throughput. For everyday use or workloads that do not make use of Gen5 speeds, Reddit commenters suggest a less expensive Gen4 drive may be a better value.

    Q: Does this drive make sense for video editing or AI model workloads?

    A: It may suit users who regularly move large files or load models and whose system supports PCIe 5.0. Reddit discussion specifically mentions video-editing preview and model-loading workloads as reasons to consider the MARS 980 BLADE; the benefit depends on the workload and platform.

    Q: Do I need a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to get the advertised speed?

    A: Yes. The listed maximum speeds are for PCIe 5.0 x4; your M.2 slot and available PCIe lanes need to support that interface to reach those speeds. Reddit users also recommend checking motherboard support before choosing a Gen5 SSD.

    Q: Will it need extra cooling?

    A: The supplied product information lists a heatsink, so the drive is not described as bare. Reddit discussion raises heat and cooling as considerations for Gen5 SSDs; check that the included heatsink fits your device and does not conflict with its own M.2 cover.