Silicon Power UD90 2TB NVMe Gen4 M.2 SSD: features, specs and who it suits

The Silicon Power UD90 is a 2TB internal solid-state drive in the M.2 format. It uses the NVMe protocol over a PCIe 4.0 connection, and it's aimed at desktops and laptops that need fast, high-capacity storage for games, projects or a full system install. This page explains what its listed features mean.

PCIe 4.0 and the speed figures

Silicon Power rates the UD90 at read speeds up to 5,000MB/s and write speeds up to 4,800MB/s, with the figures in the product listing varying slightly by wording. PCIe 4.0 offers nearly double the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0, which Silicon Power says means shorter transfer times and more files moved in the same amount of time.

Those are peak sequential numbers, measured on large continuous transfers under ideal conditions. Everyday use, such as launching programs or loading a game level, depends more on how the drive handles smaller random requests, and on the rest of your system.

SLC caching

SLC caching is a common technique in modern SSDs. Part of the drive's flash temporarily stores incoming data in a faster mode, then moves it to normal storage in the background. Silicon Power says the UD90 uses it to improve sequential and random performance. In general, a cache helps most with bursts of writes. During very long writes that exceed the cache, speeds typically drop to the drive's sustained rate.

Error correction and data protection

The UD90 supports low density parity check (LDPC) coding, a form of error correction that helps catch and fix bit errors when data is read from the flash. It also has end-to-end (E2E) data protection, which Silicon Power says supports the integrity of data as it moves through the drive.

The company also says the drive supports RAID. RAID is configured at the system or motherboard level, and a mirrored setup can keep a copy of your data if one drive fails. It isn't a replacement for backups, and your motherboard needs to support the mode you want.

Capacity and warranty

At 2TB, there's room for a large game library or big media projects on one drive. Silicon Power backs it with a 5-year limited warranty. Read the warranty terms for what's covered, since limited warranties often depend on a stated endurance limit or a time limit.

Who it suits

It suits desktop builders and upgraders with a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot, gamers with large libraries, and creators who handle sizeable video or photo files. It also works in a PCIe 3.0 slot in most cases, though at the slower speeds that slot allows.

What to check before you buy

• Slot support: confirm that your motherboard or laptop has an M.2 slot that accepts NVMe drives, and check whether it's PCIe 4.0.
• Length: the listing gives about 3.1 inches, which fits the standard 2280 size. Check your device's manual.
• Cooling: high-speed drives can warm up under load. Check whether your board has a heatsink or room for one.
• Backups: RAID and error correction don't replace separate backups.
• Setup: if this will be your boot drive, plan how you'll move or reinstall your operating system.

The short version

• A 2TB internal M.2 NVMe SSD for PCIe 4.0.
• Rated at up to 5,000MB/s reads and up to 4,800MB/s writes.
• SLC caching, LDPC error correction and E2E data protection.
• RAID support, subject to your system's setup.
• 5-year limited warranty.

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