The AMD Ryzen platform was used to test performance, with the Ryzen 5 7600 CPU, ASUS Strix B650E-I Gaming WiFi motherboard, G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 64GB DDR5-6000 CL30 memory kit overclocked to DDR5-6400 CL30 and ASUS Strix RTX3070 graphics card. Results were confirmed on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor with the ASUS Crosshair X670E GENE motherboard. Both setups used the GM7 SSD, with one as the OS drive and the other as a second drive. The tests were performed in a Windows 11 Pro x64 environment with the latest updates, and results were similar to those on Windows 10 Pro x64. The ATTO Disk Benchmark was used as the first benchmark.
The ATTO benchmark shows excellent results, with a maximum read speed of 6.93GB/s and a maximum write speed of 5.40GB/s, comparable to the best-performing NVMe SSDs on the market, including the GM7000 SSD.
The CrystalDiskMark results are also impressive, with a maximum sequential bandwidth of approximately 7.44GB/s, which is outstanding for a PCIe 4.0 SSD with a DRAM-less design.
However, the random bandwidth and IOPS are about 15% lower than those of the GM7000 SSD, which is currently one of the fastest options available. Nonetheless, the high results achieved by the GM7 SSD are impressive.
The UL benchmarks reveal outstanding results, although we would prefer slightly higher bandwidth in the Data Drive Benchmark, as top-tier models like the GM7000 can reach up to 800MB/s. However, this difference is not significant in gaming, where the GM7 SSD is designed to excel.
The GM7 SSD scored only 100 marks lower than the GM7000 SSD in the 3DMark Storage Benchmark, which is impressive, especially when considering the HMB and potential delays that are not apparent in these tests. The exceptional average access time displayed in the 3DMark is also worth noting.
Although Anvil’s Storage Utilities is an older benchmark, it remains popular, making it a viable option. While the results obtained through this benchmark are impressive, they are not as high as those indicated in the SSD specification. This is not an issue, as different benchmarks use varying test patterns and files.
For the final assessment, we will be using the demanding AIDA64 test, with a focus on read performance, which is crucial for gaming.
The GM7 SSD performs well in both sequential and random read tests, with the sequential test yielding impressive results of up to 6.46GB/s. However, the random test indicates that there are faster SSDs available for more professional tasks, with the GM7000 achieving over twice the bandwidth in this benchmark. Nevertheless, the GM7 is a more affordable option that is specifically designed for gaming and does not require handling large databases.
The GM7 surpassed our expectations with its exceptional performance in all benchmarks, making it an ideal choice even for the most discerning users. Moreover, its affordability is expected to boost its popularity significantly.