The ADATA Legend 970 vs Seagate Firecuda 540 Gen5 SSD – Which Should You Buy?
It has taken some time, but Gen 5 m.2 NVMe SSDs are becoming more available, seeing a decrease in price, and are now being launched by major players in the SSD market. The slow rollout of Gen 5 in the solid-state drive world can be attributed in part to the 2020 pandemic and its subsequent impact on the production of Gen 5. The integration into motherboards and adoption by SSDs transitioning from Gen 4 to Gen 5 has also taken its time. Gen 5 promises enhanced performance capabilities and is accompanied by improved controllers from industry leaders. However, adoption at the motherboard and system levels has lagged slightly. While you can purchase a Gen 5 SSD now, the degree to which you can harness its peak performance consistently is still under discussion. Yet, if you’re buying a drive today for use over the next 5 years, it’s wise to be forward-thinking and future-proof your choice. As Gen 5 becomes more affordable and advanced, it’s poised to surpass and replace Gen 4. Thus, if you’re eyeing a high-performance SSD for future use, investing in a Gen 5 SSD now is a long-term strategy. Today, we’re evaluating two early Gen 5 SSD releases: the Seagate Firecuda 540 and ADATA Legend 970. These two SSDs may seem similar at first glance due to Gen 5’s nascent stage, but their priorities for a Gen 5 SSD differ. Let’s dive into a comparison of these drives.
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| Seagate Firecuda 540 NVMe SSD | ADATA Legend 970 NVMe SSD |
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Comparing Seagate Firecuda 540 and ADATA Legend 970 Hardware Specifications
In the realm of SSDs, understanding the specs and performance indicators of different models can be crucial for choosing the right storage solution. In this comparison, we’re putting the Seagate Firecuda 540 against the ADATA Legend 970, breaking down their specifications to help you make an informed decision. From a consumer standpoint, Gen 5 has been available for just under 2 years, or closer to 18 months when considering when one could actually make a purchase online. In contrast, at the data center and enterprise levels, Gen 5 has been on the scene for nearly 3 years. This timeline has allowed for ongoing research, development, and innovation. As expected in the SSD realm, Phison was among the first to unveil a Gen 5 controller with its E26 controller and followed this with a few alternatives targeting enterprise and efficiency, like the DRAMless E31. Companies like Integrate and Silicon Motion soon joined the fray. This progression led numerous SSD brands to decide early on their Gen 5 SSD direction (and that’s without discussing in-house component brands like Samsung and WD). Concurrently, there were strides in storage efficiency and flash technology, resulting in increased layer counts and the possibility of denser storage while still upholding the high Gen 5 performance standards and expectations of durability and endurance. Given that these two Gen 5 SSDs are among the first wave in the market, their performance profiles are quite comparable. However, subtle differences in I/O metrics and durability might make some distinctions more significant than others in their head-to-head comparison. Here’s how the Seagate Firecuda 540 and ADATA Legend 970 stack up at the hardware level:
Specifications Overview:
| Specification | Seagate Firecuda 540 | ADATA Legend 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Seagate | ADATA |
| Name/Series | Firecuda 540 | Legend 970 |
| Capacities | 1-2-4TB | 1-2TB |
| PCIe Gen | PCIe Gen 5×4 | PCIe Gen 5×4 |
| Controller | Phison E26 | Phison E26 |
| NVMe Rev. | NVMe 2.0 | NVMe 2.0 |
| NAND Type | 3D TLC Micron B58R | 3D TLC Micron B58R |
| NAND Layer | 232L | 232L |
| Inclusive Heatsink? | No (inc Heatshield) | Yes (Low Height Block) |
| Price Per TB (2TB) | $148/TB | TBC |
| DWPD | 0.55DWPD | TBC |
| MTBF | 2 Million Hours | 1.6 Million Hours |
| Warranty | 5yrs + 3yrs Data Rec | 5yrs |
1TB Model Specifications:
| Specification | Seagate Firecuda 540 | ADATA Legend 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Model ID | ZP1000GM3A004 | TBC |
| Price | $189 | TBC |
| Seq Read Speed | 9.5GB/s | 10GB/s |
| Seq Write Speed | 8.5GB/s | 10GB/s |
| 4K Random Read IOPS | 1.3 Million | 1.4 Million |
| 4K Random Write IOPS | 1.5 Million | 1.4 Million |
| TBW | 1000TBW | TBC |
2TB Model Specifications:
| Specification | Seagate Firecuda 540 | ADATA Legend 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Model ID | ZP2000GM3A004 | TBC |
| Price | $299 | TBC |
| Seq Read Speed | 10GB/s | 10GB/s |
| Seq Write Speed | 10GB/s | 10GB/s |
| 4K Random Read IOPS | 1.5 Million | 1.4 Million |
| 4K Random Write IOPS | 1.5 Million | 1.4 Million |
| TBW | 2000TBW | TBC |
The Seagate Firecuda 540 and ADATA Legend 970 are closely matched in the current SSD market, both boasting PCIe Gen 5×4 interfaces, identical controllers, NAND types, and layer counts. Their differences, however, are crucial depending on user needs:
- Cooling: The ADATA Legend 970 incorporates a low-height block heatsink for enhanced cooling, while the Firecuda 540 settles for a heatshield. This difference might impact thermal management and, potentially, longevity.
- Performance: For the 1TB model, the ADATA Legend 970 slightly edges out the Firecuda in terms of sequential read/write speeds and IOPS, hinting at slightly better performance. However, in real-world scenarios, the difference might be minimal for the average user but could be a deciding factor for power users or those involved in tasks demanding high-speed data transfers.
- Warranty and Additional Services: Seagate offers a unique proposition with 3 years of data recovery services in addition to the standard 5-year warranty. This could be a valuable addition for users who prioritize data security and recovery.
For those unfamiliar with SSD jargon, like DWPD, IOPS, and TBW, please refer to the video below. It will acquaint you with prevalent solid-state drive terms, aiding in grasping the nuanced differences between these two drives.
The Seagate Firecuda 540 and the ADATA Legend 970 both stand as prominent figures in the SSD market, each bearing their own strengths and unique features:
- Cooling and Thermal Management: Thermal efficiency plays a pivotal role in maintaining an SSD’s health and performance. While both SSDs offer robust solutions, their approaches differ. The ADATA Legend 970 takes the lead with its low-height block heatsink, which could potentially offer superior thermal dissipation. In contrast, the Firecuda 540 employs a heatshield, which might not offer the same level of thermal management as a dedicated heatsink. For those operating in warmer environments or engaging in prolonged high-intensity tasks, this distinction might influence the decision-making process.
- Performance Nuances: At a glance, both SSDs seem to offer parallel performance metrics, especially in the 2TB variant. However, on closer inspection of the 1TB models, the ADATA Legend 970 marginally outpaces the Firecuda 540, boasting slightly superior sequential read speeds and IOPS. While such differences might seem trivial on paper, they could translate to noticeable advantages in demanding tasks, especially in workloads requiring rapid data access like video editing or gaming.
- Warranty and Value-Added Services: Warranty durations are typically a testament to a manufacturer’s confidence in product longevity. Both brands offer a robust 5-year warranty, indicating their belief in product durability. However, Seagate goes a step further by providing 3 years of data recovery services. For users who have experienced data loss traumas in the past or those managing crucial data, this added safety net might sway the decision heavily in Seagate’s favor.
- Cost Implications: Although specific prices for some variants of the ADATA Legend 970 remain to be confirmed (TBC), cost-per-terabyte (based on available data) is identical for the 2TB models. Future pricing updates, promotional deals, or bundled software might further influence purchasing decisions for potential buyers.
In wrapping up, the choice between the Seagate Firecuda 540 and the ADATA Legend 970 isn’t straightforward and largely hinges on individual preferences and use-case scenarios. Both SSDs undeniably cater to high-end requirements, delivering rapid speeds and reliability. Yet, when the nuances—like cooling solutions, marginal performance gains, and value-added services—are taken into account, users are equipped to make a more informed, tailored decision.
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| Seagate Firecuda 540 NVMe SSD | ADATA Legend 970 NVMe SSD |
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