fanxiang S500 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD: features, specs and who it suits

The fanxiang S500 Pro is a 2TB internal solid state drive in the M.2 2280 format, using the NVMe protocol over a PCIe Gen3 x4 connection. It is designed for laptops and desktop PCs that have an M.2 slot, as an upgrade or additional storage. This page explains what its listed specifications mean.

M.2 2280, NVMe and PCIe Gen3 x4

M.2 is the small gumstick-shaped card format. The "2280" means it is 22 mm wide and 80 mm long, the size most laptops and motherboards accept. NVMe is the protocol used to talk to the drive, and PCIe Gen3 x4 describes the lane count and generation of the link. Gen3 x4 has a theoretical ceiling of around 3.9GB/s, so fanxiang's quoted figure of up to 3500MB/s reads and 3000MB/s writes sits within what the interface allows. Many newer machines support faster Gen4 or Gen5 drives, and this drive will work in such slots at its own Gen3 speed.

Speed in everyday use

fanxiang says the speed helps with boot time, opening programs, loading games and saving and moving files. Rated speeds are peak sequential figures. Small random reads and writes, which dominate everyday use, are typically slower, and the figures also depend on your system.

The drive uses an intelligent SLC cache, a technique where part of the flash temporarily acts as faster single-level storage to absorb writes. Sustained large writes can eventually exceed the cache and slow down, which is normal for TLC drives.

3D NAND TLC and endurance

The drive uses 3D NAND with TLC (triple-level cell) memory. TLC stores three bits per cell, a common balance between capacity and endurance. fanxiang lists an endurance of up to 1280TBW (terabytes written), which is the total volume of data the drive is rated to take over its life. For most home use, this is far more than typical daily writing. As solid-state storage, it has no moving parts, so it is resistant to knocks compared with a hard disk.

Cooling

The brand says it adds graphene heat dissipation stickers to help control temperature, which it ties to performance and lifespan. Fast drives can slow down when they overheat (thermal throttling). Some laptops and motherboards include their own heatsink, so check what yours provides.

Compatibility

fanxiang lists Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, and macOS 10.9 and later, in laptops, desktops and all-in-one computers, provided the motherboard has an M.2 interface. Not every M.2 slot supports NVMe; some are SATA-only, so check your device's manual. A few systems also limit the physical length or height. Mounting screws and a screwdriver are included in the packaging.

Assurance

The brand offers a 3-year quality assurance service. Read its terms.

Who it suits

It fits anyone upgrading an older laptop or desktop, adding a second drive for files, or building a PC around a Gen3 NVMe slot.

What to check before you buy

• Slot type: confirm that your M.2 slot supports NVMe and 2280-length drives.
• PCIe generation: know that the drive will run at Gen3 speeds.
• Heat: check whether your device has a heatsink or space for one.
• Cloning or reinstalling: decide how you will move your system; the listing does not mention migration software.
• Backups: back up your data before swapping drives, whichever drive you choose.

The short version

• A 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD on PCIe Gen3 x4.
• Up to 3500MB/s reads and 3000MB/s writes, with an SLC cache.
• 3D TLC NAND, rated up to 1280TBW.
• Works with Windows and macOS systems that have an M.2 slot.
• 3-year quality assurance from fanxiang.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.