HP FX700 SSD: Latest Features and Performance

As of 2023, the idea of accessible, large-capacity SSDs has come true, and the HP FX700 SSD advances this ambition even farther. The price should drop even more by using QLC NAND instead of TLC NAND, but how about performance? This platform has always been power-efficient, making it ideal for PS5 and laptop users who prefer single-sided disks in particular. Is there any way QLC could help there as well?

The drive operates quite cold thanks to HP’s graphene heat pad and QLC’s high efficiency. That is to say, one should not expect miracles and this QLC is not otherworldly. But if you’re searching for a slightly faster option without any additional cons if you’re wanting to replace the Crucial P3 Plus or Corsair MP600 Core XT. It’s also likely an excellent substitute for the well-liked Team group MP34 with its TLC coating and the PCIe 3.0 Crucial P3.

With any luck, you can save a little cash compared to the NM790 or A93, and it can be a better choice for basic secondary storage than more established models like the Silicon Power XS70. As we delve into more depth about this new hardware, continue reading to see if the FX700 strikes the appropriate notes for you.

HP FX700 SSD Specifications

There are four different capacities for the HP FX700 SSD: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. Depending on the capacity, the HP FX700 SSD can achieve sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,200 / 6,200 MB/s and random read and write throughput of up to 1050K / 920K. Because of its dreadfully low die count, the 512GB SKU is probably best left unnoticed.

A five-year guarantee covering 400TB of writes per TB is offered for the drive. This provides 0.22 drive writes per day (DWPD), which is up to twice as much as what QLC used to provide but roughly 33% less than regular TLC. For the 4TB SKU, Biwin’s website incorrectly states 800TBW, while a review of the datasheet reveals the anticipated 1600TBW. This is enough write endurance, anyway.

HP FX700 2TB: Programs and add-ons

With the exception of the M.2 screw that comes with it, the HP FX700 SSD appears to be ordinary. With its drives, HP has been doing this at least since the EX920. The hardware required to install an M.2 SSD should be included with your motherboard, but occasionally things go wrong and the screw disappears. This is not an issue in this case. It’s also important to note that HP sells the FX700 drive exclusively for the PlayStation 5, which increases its compatibility with more systems and laptops.

The drive’s power efficiency for laptop use is highlighted in HP’s datasheet. The host controller has an integrated power management unit (PMU) equipped with a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). This is an intriguing remark because SMI recently disclosed that the intelligent PMIC in their PCIe 5.0 SM2508 SSD controller allows for better power management without taxing the primary ARM processor. Designing for increased power efficiency makes sense, especially in light of the impressive outcomes that Phison’s PCIe 5.0 E26 controller has produced thus far.

HP cools the FX700 with the use of a graphene heatspreader. In  evaluation of the Gigabyte Aorus Gen5 12000, we talked about cooling solutions based on graphene and nanocarbon. While HP’s solution is better than nothing, Gigabyte’s heatsink is a lot more complex than this heatspreader. The drive is powered by the Maxio MAP1602A, which functions rather well in most cases.

But because it is made of a less conductive substance with a smaller surface area than the Phison E25 found in the T500, the controller package itself is known to become rather hot. This creates an opportunity for the usage of a heatspreader, and using graphene in a thicker pad will greatly reduce the problem. There’s no need to be concerned about the NAND flash’s excess heat.