ADATA LEGEND 960 2TB NVMe SSD: PCIe Gen4 speeds, heatsink and PS5 fit

The ADATA LEGEND 960 is an internal M.2 NVMe solid-state drive that uses the PCIe Gen4 interface. This 2TB model, ALEG-960-2TC, comes with a heatsink and is listed as compatible with the PlayStation 5, as well as with desktop PCs that have a matching M.2 slot.

Speeds in context

ADATA specifies the drive at sequential reads of up to 7,400MB/s and sequential writes of up to 6,800MB/s. Those are the brand's maximums for large files, and results vary with the system. For comparison, a SATA SSD typically tops out around 550MB/s, so a Gen4 NVMe drive is many times faster on paper. In daily use, the difference is most obvious in large file copies, game installs, and video work, and less so when opening everyday apps.

Interface and form factor

The drive follows the M.2 2280 standard, meaning a gumstick-shaped card 22mm wide and 80mm long, and uses the NVMe protocol over PCIe Gen 4.0. ADATA says it is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0, though it will run at that slot's slower speed. Check that your motherboard's M.2 slot supports NVMe, and not only SATA.

Capacity and protection

This version has 2TB, and ADATA says the range goes up to 4TB. The company says the drive uses 3D-stacked flash memory with various protection and correction technologies. As with all drives, a little of the stated capacity is taken up by formatting, so usable space is slightly lower.

PS5 use

ADATA lists the LEGEND 960 as compatible with the PS5, and the heatsink is relevant there because the console's M.2 expansion slot has strict space limits. Sony's requirements cover the size, speed and cooling of any SSD, so check the console maker's current guidance and the heatsink's height before installing.

SSD ToolBox software

ADATA offers a free utility called SSD ToolBox. It reads S.M.A.R.T. attributes (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) to show the drive's health and remaining life. It also shows the temperature, capacity and used space, and helps you keep firmware up to date.

Warranty

The drive is backed by a 5-year limited manufacturer warranty. Read the terms for conditions that may apply.

Who it suits

It suits PC builders and upgraders with a Gen4-capable slot, console owners adding storage, and creators who keep large photo and video libraries. The listing gives a weight of about 0.1 lb and dimensions of roughly 3.1 x 0.9 x 0.2 inches.

What to check before you buy

• Slot type: make sure your device has an M.2 2280 slot that supports NVMe.
• Generation: a Gen3 slot works but is slower than the drive's listed speeds.
• Heatsink clearance: check that the heatsink fits in your PC or console bay.
• Console rules: for a PS5, check the current official requirements.
• Capacity: decide whether 2TB meets your needs.
• Installation: follow your device's manual and power it off first.

The short version

• A 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD with a heatsink, from ADATA.
• Specified at up to 7,400MB/s reads and 6,800MB/s writes.
• Backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 and listed as PS5 compatible.
• SSD ToolBox software for health, temperature and firmware.
• 5-year limited warranty.

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