Acer FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB, PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280 Review: Massive Storage, High-Speed Performance and Affordability

Acer FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB, PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280 Review: Review

The Acer FA200 4TB NVMe Gen4 SSD presents a compelling option when paired with a high-quality Thunderbolt or USB 4.0 external enclosure. That’s where mine lives, as none of my hardware allows for an SSD upgrade, as much as I would love this 4TB drive to replace the diminutive on-board, non-replaceable drives that usually arrive with a new laptop. This drive’s fast read speeds—up to 7200 MB/s—push the limits of what external storage can offer, especially in workflows like 4K/8K video editing, large dataset manipulation, and high-volume backup operations.

The FA200 excels as a blazing-fast scratch disk or primary media library for creatives who need speed without cracking open their laptops. Its single-sided design ensures broad compatibility with most compact enclosures, keeping thermal management efficient even during extended sessions..

For transparency, this drive was developed by BiWin, and provided by them for review.

What we like

Pros

• High sequential read speeds up to 7200 MB/s and write speeds up to 6200 MB/s.
• Affordable pricing for a 4TB PCIe Gen4 SSD.
• Single-sided M.2 2280 design ensures broad compatibility, including PS5.
• Utilizes Host Memory Buffer (HMB) and SLC cache for enhanced performance.
• Low operating temperatures with no thermal throttling observed.
• 5-year limited warranty and high endurance ratings (2000TBW for 4TB model).
• Includes a graphene thermal pad for efficient heat dissipation

The Acer FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB’s impressive sequential read and write speeds, reaching up to 7200 MB/s and 6200 MB/s respectively, make it a standout in its class. This performance is particularly beneficial for tasks like large file transfers and game loading times. Priced competitively around $229.99, it offers excellent value for a high-capacity PCIe Gen4 SSD. 

Its single-sided M.2 2280 form factor ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, including desktops, laptops, and the PlayStation 5. The inclusion of Host Memory Buffer (HMB) and SLC cache technologies enhances performance by accelerating data access and reducing latency. Additionally, the drive operates at low temperatures, thanks in part to the integrated graphene thermal pad, which aids in heat dissipation and prevents thermal throttling. 

The Acer FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB comes with a 5-year limited warranty and boasts a high endurance rating of 2000 TBW for the 4TB model, indicating its reliability for long-term use. 

The Acer drive is available in sizes from 256GB to 4TB.

What could be improved

Cons

• DRAM-less design may impact performance in certain workloads.
• Performance drops when SLC cache is exhausted.
• Availability issues in some regions.

The DRAM-less design, while cost-effective, may lead to slower performance in certain workloads that rely heavily on random read/write operations. Users with such demands might experience less optimal performance compared to DRAM-equipped SSDs.

Performance can decline once the SLC cache is exhausted, which may affect tasks involving sustained large file transfers. This is a common limitation among QLC-based SSDs and should be considered based on the user’s specific use case. 

Some users have reported availability issues in certain regions, making it challenging to purchase the FA200. This could be due to supply chain constraints or regional distribution limitations.

Acer FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB, PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280 Review:: The bottom line

The Acer FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB delivers exceptional performance and value, making it an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals seeking high-speed storage solutions. Its impressive read/write speeds, combined with a competitive price point and broad device compatibility, position it as a top contender in the high-capacity SSD market. However, potential buyers should be aware of its DRAM-less design and the associated performance considerations, as well as possible availability issues depending on their location

BiWin provided the FA200 NVMe Gen4 SSD 4TB, PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280 Review: for review. Images courtesy of Acer/BiWin unless otherwise noted.

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