XPG Mars 980 Blade 1TB PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe 2.0 M.2 2280 Internal SSD – Up to 14,000 MB/s Read, 10,000 MB/s Write, SM2508 Controller, 3D TLC NAND Flash

The XPG Mars 980 Blade 1TB NVMe Gen 5 SSD (SMAR-980B-1TCS) delivers next-generation performance in a compact M.2 2280 form factor. Designed for high-speed data access and demanding workloads, it takes advantage of the PCI Express 5.0 x4 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol to achieve sequential read speeds up to 14,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 10,000 MB/s—more than double the bandwidth of leading PCIe 4.0 drives.

At the core of the drive is the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller, built on an efficient 6 nm process node, paired with high-density 3D TLC NAND flash memory. This combination delivers low latency, consistent throughput, and high reliability under sustained workloads. The controller employs LDPC ECC (Error Correction Code), dynamic SLC caching, and a DRAM buffer to maintain data integrity and smooth performance during heavy file transfers or multitasking.

The Mars 980 Blade adheres to the NVMe 2.0 specification, which enhances command queuing, power management, and I/O operations over earlier NVMe versions. Users benefit from reduced latency and improved bandwidth utilization, especially when running multiple parallel tasks such as large project renders, 4K/8K video editing, or virtual machine operation.

For system integrators and gamers alike, installation is straightforward. The drive connects via the M.2 slot and requires no external power. Its bare PCB form ensures broad mechanical compatibility in laptops, ultrabooks, and compact desktop builds where thick heatsinks are impractical. Despite its minimal design, power efficiency and thermal balance are maintained through optimized firmware-level power states compliant with NVMe 2.0 standards.

The endurance rating for the 1TB variant is estimated at 700 TBW, with a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 2 million hours, providing the durability needed for professional use. Operating temperatures range from 0 °C to 70 °C, and storage conditions extend from –40 °C to 85 °C. The drive’s 3.3 V DC operation supports intelligent power modes that reduce idle consumption without sacrificing responsiveness.

The XPG Mars 980 Blade is ideal for high-performance applications: gaming rigs, creative workstations, and system boot drives requiring consistent, low-latency access. Its Gen 5 interface ensures compatibility with modern Intel and AMD chipsets, while backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 platforms guarantees flexibility for current systems.

In practical terms, users will experience faster OS boot times, near-instant application loading, and minimal transfer bottlenecks when dealing with large files or multitasking operations. Combined with its high endurance rating and 5-year manufacturer warranty, the Mars 980 Blade 1TB stands as a solid and forward-ready storage choice for professionals and enthusiasts who demand uncompromised performance.