ADATA XPG Gen 5 Project Neonstorm and Legend 970 SSD Revealed

Computex 2023 Reveals: The ADATA Project Neonstorm and Legend 970 Gen 5 SSDs

As the Computex 2023 unfolds in Taipei, Taiwan, ADATA has certainly made an eye-catching impression with the reveal of their unique ADATA XPG Project Neonstorm Prototype Gen 5 SSD. An SSD that not only steps up the game in terms of technical prowess but also challenges the traditional conventions of SSD design.

The ADATA Project Neonstorm Gen 5 SSD

The Neonstorm truly lived up to its name at Computex, making the biggest splash in the world of SSDs. This drive is unique in two key aspects: it is one of the very few water-cooled M.2 NVMe SSDs available in the market, and it is currently the only Gen 5 SSD to feature a preattached, fan-assisted and water-cooled heatsink. This combination of cooling solutions gives the Neonstorm an unmistakable visual appeal that echoes the distinct style of the XPG series.

Even more notably, the Neonstorm is using the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller, which is a rarity among Gen 5 SSDs that have predominantly used the Phison E26 controller. The SM2508 boasts impressive performance figures, potentially reaching a whopping 14,000MB/s Sequential Read and 12,000MB/s Sequential Write – exceeding the peak speeds of the Phison E26. It also supports a maximum IOPS of 2 million in both read and write, which ADATA claims the Neonstorm can achieve.

Brand	ADATA XPG
Model ID	Project Neonstorm
PCIe Gen	PCIe Gen 5 x 4
Capacities	Upto 8TB
NAND	3D TLC
Controller	Silicon Motion SM2508
Memory	TBC
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W)	14GB/s / 12GB/s
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W)	2 Million / 2 Million
Durability	TBC
Includes Heatsink?	Yes. Features Watercooling, Aluminimum Casing and top/bottom fans
Notes	The first drive to be revealed with the Silicon Motion SM2508 Controller and out performing currrently Phison E26 (which is currently peaking at 12GB/11GB)

While durability specifications are not yet available, the Neonstorm is set to be available in capacities up to an impressive 8TB at launch, making this one of the most intriguing SSDs revealed at Computex.

The ADATA Legend 970 Gen 5 SSD

ADATA also unveiled another addition to their Gen 5 lineup at Computex 2023, the Legend 970. This drive, compared to its flashy sibling, adopts a more traditional approach, including a more typical M.2 heatsink and performance figures that are more in line with the initial Gen 5 SSD prototypes from 2022.

The Legend 970 features the widely-used Phison E26 Gen 5 controller, contributing to its relatively mainstream performance metrics. However, this doesn’t mean it lacks in power – it still delivers strong performance and offers a more affordable and practical alternative to the still-in-development Neonstorm.

Brand	ADATA XPG
Model ID	Legend 970
PCIe Gen	PCIe Gen 5 x 4
Capacities	1-2TB
NAND	3D TLC NAND
Controller	Phison E26
Memory	TBC
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W)	10GB / 10GB
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W)	1.4 Million / 1.4 Million
Durability	TBC
Includes Heatsink?	Yes, Fanless, Compact surface area
Notes

Benefits of Water Cooling vs Fans and Heatsinks on Gen 5 SSDs

The advent of water-cooled SSDs like the Neonstorm brings an interesting discussion to the table – the advantages of water cooling over traditional fans and heatsinks in SSDs. Water cooling can provide superior thermal management, which is increasingly important as SSDs continue to ramp up in speed and performance, especially with the Gen 5 SSDs.

The advantages of water cooling include more efficient heat dissipation, potential for higher performance due to better thermal regulation, and less noise compared to fan-based solutions. This can be particularly beneficial in Gen 5 SSDs like the Neonstorm, which push the performance envelope and generate more heat. However, such advanced cooling solutions may come at a higher cost and might pose challenges in terms of installation and maintenance compared to simpler fan and heatsink designs.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, ADATA has truly raised the bar at Computex 2023 with the Neonstorm and the Legend 970, each catering to different segments of the Gen 5 SSD market. The Neonstorm’s distinct water-cooling solution and impressive performance figures make it a fascinating evolution in the SSD landscape, while the Legend 970 serves as a reliable, high-performing drive for more conventional use-cases. It’s interesting to see how different brands are innovating and introducing their unique takes on Gen 5 SSDs, such as Patriot with their own SSD offerings as reported in our previous blog post. With the release of these new drives, it’s clear that the SSD market is rapidly evolving, providing consumers with a broad spectrum of options to cater to their specific needs and preferences. We eagerly look forward to what the future holds for SSD technology.

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