The TeamGroup T-Power GA Professional SSD is a PCIe Gen5 x4 NVMe drive aimed toward customers seeking to entry next-generation storage speeds at a comparatively lower cost level. Rated for sequential learn speeds of as much as 10,000MB/s and write speeds as much as 8,500MB/s, it makes use of the InnoGrit IG5666 controller, features a DRAM cache, and options 4K LDPC error correction to help efficiency and information integrity. The drive is provided with a graphene-based warmth spreader, which offers passive thermal administration with out the necessity for a built-in heatsink.
Within the US, the T-Power GA Professional is priced at round $89 for the 1TB variant (PHP 5,012 in Philippine forex), positioning it among the many extra reasonably priced PCIe Gen5 SSDs at present obtainable. This makes it an interesting choice for players, content material creators, and PC customers in search of increased switch speeds with out entering into premium territory.
As with many Gen5 SSDs, thermal efficiency throughout sustained workloads stays some extent of consideration. The drive includes a graphene-based warmth spreader, however whether or not that’s ample for constant high-speed operation is dependent upon real-world utilization. To guage this, we put the T-Power GA Professional 1TB by means of a variety of benchmarks and sensible exams to evaluate how nicely it delivers on its efficiency claims and total worth.
Packaging
The entrance of the packaging showcases a clear and fashionable design typical of TeamGroup’s T-Power branding. With its use of daring pink accents and angular graphics, the structure highlights key product options equivalent to PCIe Gen5 help, NVMe 2.0 compatibility, and the 1TB capability. A product picture of the SSD can also be featured, together with its rated 10,000MB/s sequential learn pace.
The again of the field gives further technical data and product specs. It consists of multilingual descriptions that spotlight the SSD’s help for NVMe 2.0, its high-speed efficiency capabilities, and a 5-year restricted guarantee.
The T-Power GA Professional SSD
The entrance view of the T-Power GA Professional 1TB reveals a minimalist and useful design. A matte black graphene warmth spreader covers a lot of the PCB, with the T-FORCE and GA PRO logos printed in metallic gold for visible distinction.
From the facet profile, the T-Power GA Professional maintains a slim and normal M.2 2280 kind issue, making it appropriate with most motherboards, together with these with built-in warmth shields or compact clearances. The graphene layer used for passive cooling is notably skinny, and there’s no pre-installed heatsink.
On the again of the SSD, an ordinary product label shows important technical data. This consists of the TeamGroup brand, serial and mannequin numbers, PCIe and NVMe certification icons, and a transparent indication of the 1TB capability together with a 5-year guarantee discover. Though this facet is often hidden as soon as the drive is put in, the labeling is clear and well-organized, identical design peg with different Teamgroup’s SSD.
The {Hardware}
Underneath the graphene heatspreader, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB exposes a neatly organized PCB structure, that includes a mixture of performance-oriented parts and cost-conscious design decisions aimed toward delivering Gen5-level speeds with out extreme manufacturing overhead.
On the core of the T-Power GA Professional is the InnoGrit IG5666FAA controller, a PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe answer constructed on InnoGrit’s Tacoma structure. Fabricated utilizing a 16nm course of, this controller helps NVMe 2.0, gives low energy operation, and is rated for theoretical speeds of as much as 14 GB/s learn and 11 GB/s write beneath superb circumstances. It additionally accommodates as much as 16TB of NAND flash and helps high-speed NAND interfaces as much as 2400 MT/s. Whereas the GA Professional doesn’t totally make the most of the controller’s most capabilities, the IG5666FAA gives a strong platform for dependable Gen5-level efficiency and long-term scalability.
Paired with the controller is a SK Hynix H5AN8G6NOJ DDR4 SDRAM chip, functioning because the drive’s devoted DRAM cache. This 8Gb (1GB) module runs at 1.2V and helps an information charge of 3200 MT/s, helping in sooner FTL (Flash Translation Layer) mapping and serving to to maintain efficiency throughout write-heavy or multitasking situations. The inclusion of a discrete DRAM cache enhances total responsiveness and consistency, providing a notable benefit over DRAM-less Gen5 SSDs when it comes to stability beneath load.
For NAND storage, the GA Professional is provided with TeamGroup’s proprietary FQBH02T 3D TLC NAND flash. Whereas detailed specs are usually not publicly obtainable, chip markings and configuration counsel a 512GB per package deal design, with the 1TB variant using two modules. This NAND is paired with 4K LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Test) error correction. In accordance with TeamGroup’s specs, the 1TB mannequin is rated for 600TBW (terabytes written), aligning with typical endurance figures on this class.
Benchmark
To guage the real-world efficiency of the T-Power GA Professional 1TB, we ran a sequence of artificial and real-world benchmarks beneath a typical mid-range gaming and productiveness setup:
Take a look at System Specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900
Motherboard: Gigabyte X670 Gaming X AX (PCIe 5.0 succesful)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
RAM: 16GB ADATA XPG Lancer RGB DDR5-6000MT/s
OS Drive: Teamgroup T-Power GA Professional 1TB (Home windows 11 Professional)
Cooling: Graphene Heatsink and T-Power Darkish Airflow 1 SSD Cooler
Earlier than beginning any efficiency exams, we checked the drive’s standing by way of CrystalDiskInfo, which confirmed the SSD was in wholesome situation (100%). When relying solely on the included graphene heatspreader, idle temperatures shortly climbed to 67°C and shoots as much as 79°C after working benchmark, a typical trait amongst Gen5 SSDs. These drives are likely to generate vital warmth, notably in circumstances with out devoted airflow or lively cooling.
Some customers have reported thermal-related efficiency drops in related setups, and we had been capable of replicate these circumstances throughout our early exams. Nonetheless, after reinstalling the motherboard’s built-in M.2 heatsink on high of the graphene layer and making certain correct case air flow, the drive operated inside extra acceptable thermal ranges beneath load. It’s vital to notice that the graphene layer capabilities primarily as a warmth switch floor, it helps unfold the warmth however requires exterior heatsinks and satisfactory airflow to successfully dissipate it.
With the cooling correctly configured, we proceeded to run a full suite of benchmarks to guage how nicely the GA Professional performs beneath each typical and intensive workloads. Right here’s now the SSD temperature:
CrystalDiskMark Benchmark
In CrystalDiskMark 9.0.1, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB delivered spectacular Gen5-level efficiency that intently aligns with its marketed specs.
Sequential learn speeds peaked at 10,472 MB/s, whereas write speeds reached 8,989 MB/s, showcasing the drive’s skill to deal with high-bandwidth duties like recreation loading, giant file transfers, and content material creation workflows with ease. Random efficiency was equally strong, with 4K Q32T16 learn speeds at 4,622 MB/s and write speeds hitting 2,861 MB/s—glorious outcomes for multitasking and small file operations. Even single-threaded 4K efficiency got here in respectably at 62.54 MB/s learn and 327.99 MB/s write.
AS SSD Benchmark
Within the AS SSD Benchmark, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB continued to show strong real-world efficiency throughout the board.
In AS SSD, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB achieved 8,180 MB/s learn and eight,247 MB/s write in sequential exams, barely decrease than CrystalDiskMark however nonetheless robust for a Gen5 drive. 4K random efficiency reached 54.17 MB/s learn and 268.71 MB/s write, with high-threaded 4K-64 exams scaling as much as 2,456 MB/s learn and 4,142 MB/s write. Entry instances remained low at 0.016 ms learn and 0.014 ms write, and the drive earned an total rating of 10,260. Whereas extra conservative, these outcomes mirror the drive’s strong sustained efficiency beneath lifelike circumstances.
HD Tune Professional Benchmark
We additionally examined the T-Power GA Professional 1TB utilizing HD Tune Professional 5.75 to look at efficiency over a protracted steady learn workload throughout your complete 1TB capability. The drive delivered a mean switch charge of two,721.6 MB/s, with peaks reaching 2,890.2 MB/s and a minimal dip to 917.0 MB/s. Regardless of some preliminary fluctuation, the efficiency shortly stabilized and remained constant all through the remainder of the take a look at. Entry time was measured at 0.025 ms, and burst charge hit 1,569.4 MB/s, with minimal CPU utilization at simply 1.3%.
This take a look at confirms that whereas the drive is able to sustained throughput, and based mostly from the graph, there aren’t any drops in pace.
3DMark Storage Benchmark
Within the 3DMark Storage Benchmark, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB scored 3,214 factors, considerably above the typical of two,261. This take a look at simulates frequent gaming storage duties like recreation loading, set up, and saving.
The drive achieved a mean bandwidth of 551.67 MB/s and a mean entry time of 56 microseconds. Particular outcomes embrace:
Load Battlefield V: 1041.04 MB/s
Load Name of Obligation: Black Ops 4: 776.96 MB/s
Load Overwatch: 386.79 MB/s
Transfer recreation: 3804.18 MB/s
Set up recreation: 252.67 MB/s
Save recreation: 244.32 MB/s
Actual-World File Switch Pace
To check real-world efficiency, we carried out a big file switch utilizing the Home windows file explorer. Through the copy course of, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB achieved a sustained switch pace of two.32 GB/s whereas copying a 20GB file.
Whereas that is considerably decrease than artificial benchmark outcomes, it’s typical for real-use situations the place components like caching, thermal circumstances, and file kind come into play. Nonetheless, it’s a robust outcome that displays dependable day-to-day efficiency when dealing with giant recordsdata.
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark
Within the PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB scored 2,716 factors, reflecting strong real-world system efficiency for on a regular basis computing duties. The take a look at measured an total bandwidth of 429.3 MB/s and a mean entry time of 61 microseconds, each of that are aggressive for a Gen5 SSD in a consumer-grade setup.
This benchmark simulates full-system drive utilization, together with app launches, file operations, and background duties—offering a sensible view of how the SSD performs in each day use situations past simply peak switch speeds.
Mac Mini M4 Benchmark (Exterior SSD)
We additionally examined the T-Power GA Professional 1TB utilizing a PCIe Gen4 exterior SSD adapter related to the brand new Mac Mini M4, to see the way it performs as a transportable high-speed storage answer on macOS.
AmorphousDiskMark
Within the benchmark, the GA Professional reached as much as 1,866 MB/s learn and 1,858 MB/s write, which is a strong outcome contemplating the bandwidth limitations of most exterior enclosures. Efficiency stayed constantly above 1,600 MB/s throughout a number of exams, with decrease speeds showing in random or smaller file operations—as anticipated from any SSD used over USB or Thunderbolt interfaces.
For comparability, the built-in Macintosh HD on the Mac Mini M4 delivered considerably sooner outcomes, scoring 3,513.78 MB/s learn and three,589.65 MB/s write, because of Apple’s tightly built-in storage structure and full PCIe Gen4 x4 bandwidth internally. Whereas the GA Professional can’t match the inner SSD’s efficiency on Mac, it nonetheless offers a robust exterior storage choice for big file transfers, backups, or increasing storage with out utilizing the system as essential storage.
BlackMagic Disk Pace Take a look at
Within the Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at, the T-Power GA Professional 1TB, related by way of a PCIe Gen4 exterior SSD adapter, reached write speeds of 1,774.5 MB/s and skim speeds of 1,712.0 MB/s when used with the Mac Mini M4. Whereas that is strong efficiency for an exterior SSD—ample for 4K and a few 8K workflows
For comparability, it nonetheless falls brief in comparison with the built-in Macintosh HD, which delivered 3,423.9 MB/s write and a couple of,991.8 MB/s learn. The numerous pace benefit of the inner SSD is anticipated, because it leverages Apple’s high-speed storage controller and tightly built-in structure. Nonetheless, the GA Professional stays a reliable and sensible exterior choice for creators needing quick and dependable storage on the go.
Conclusion
The T-Power GA Professional 1TB delivers strong PCIe Gen5 efficiency at a worth level that’s arduous to disregard. Priced round $89, it gives sequential speeds that match its marketed specs, topping 10,000 MB/s learn and eight,900 MB/s write in CrystalDiskMark, and scoring over 10,000 factors in AS SSD. Even beneath prolonged workloads, equivalent to our full-capacity HD Tune Professional take a look at, the drive maintained constant efficiency with solely minor fluctuations, confirming its skill to deal with sustained operations reliably.
Thermally, the drive does run heat. We recorded idle or light-use temperatures round 67°C when utilizing solely the included graphene warmth spreader. Whereas this didn’t end in thermal throttling throughout our exams, it’s clear that lively airflow or pairing the graphene with the motherboard’s heatsink is really useful for optimum efficiency in extended use. As soon as correctly cooled, the GA Professional confirmed no indicators of instability or efficiency loss.
For customers constructing a next-gen system or upgrading to Gen5 with out overspending, the T-Power GA Professional strikes a compelling stability between worth, efficiency, and reliability. Simply make sure your system has the cooling to match its pace.
Execs
Wonderful Sequential Efficiency: Reaches as much as 10,472 MB/s learn and eight,900 MB/s write speeds (CrystalDiskMark).
Inexpensive Gen5 Choice: Aggressive pricing at round $89 for 1TB.
DRAM Cache Included: Improves responsiveness and sustained write efficiency over DRAM-less fashions.
Secure Underneath Load: Performs constantly even throughout lengthy, full-capacity operations.
NVMe 2.0 & Gen5 Prepared: Presents future-proof compatibility with fashionable platforms.
Cons
Runs Sizzling: Idle temps reached 67°C with solely the graphene heatspreader.
Requires Correct Cooling: Finest paired with a motherboard heatsink and good case airflow to keep away from thermal buildup.
No Pre-installed Heatsink: Customers should depend on present motherboard options or buy an aftermarket cooler.
Efficiency Drops With out Ample Air flow: Some throttling danger beneath sustained heavy use if airflow is poor.
