External SSDs are starting to replace traditional hard drive storage systems. Much faster, they now offer impressive capacities, as shown by the astonishing 8TB Samsung T5 EVO.
The Samsung T5 EVO hides its game quite well. And for good reason: this object, barely larger than an ordinary USB key, is in reality an external SDD. In other words, an electronic memory storage device, Flash type, as we now find in all computers. And despite its tiny size which would make it pass for a gadget, it is a real monster since it offers a maximum capacity of 8 TB. A great technical feat which makes it a champion in the external storage category, all brands and technologies combined. .
This model is stamped EVO, a sign that this SSD is part of the family of “affordable” SSDs from Samsung. It thus differs from the T9 or T7 models with a lower cost per gigabyte. This T5 EVO is thus available in three versions of 2 TB (€180), 4 TB (€330) and therefore 8 TB billed at €600 or €0.07 per gigabyte. With this EVO range, the South Korean is focusing more on capacity than on speed, while still maintaining fairly honorable transfer rates. Certainly they do not rise at all to the height of the T9 or T7 of the brand and their respective transfer rates of 2 GB/s and 1 GB/s but it can very advantageously replace an external hard drive against which it obviously shows itself faster.
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Samsung SSD T5 EVO: a robust, compact and reassuring design
No more credit card format. For this SSD, Samsung has adopted the M2 format. As a result, we have a long case that remains relatively compact with its 40 x 17 x 96 mm and a weight of 102 g. It is therefore quickly forgotten in a bag or even in a pocket. To carry it around safely, Samsung has coated the metal casing with a rubber coating. A good way to effectively resist the various shocks it may encounter but also to avoid slipping fingers. The other side of the coin is that this coating easily picks up dust.
One end of the case consists of a metal hoop. It allows you to hang the SSD using a carabiner on a bag for example. The finishes are impeccable and the whole thing exudes solidity.
But even if it means offering an adventurer device, we would have appreciated the presence of a cap to protect the USB-C port placed at the other end of the case in order to really protect it from humidity.
Finally, to accompany this disc, Samsung delivers a USB-C/USB-C cable in the box, skipping the USB-A. Your PC or Mac must therefore have a suitable socket.
Samsung SSD T5 EVO: performance limited by USB
With this T5 EVO, capacity takes precedence over speed. This SSD is therefore not there to break speed records in both reading and writing. To display such storage capacity at this price, Samsung relies on QLC (Quad Level Cell) NAND memory, which is much more affordable than TLC, MLC and SLC memory, which is more reliable and durable over time but also significantly more expensive. For the connection, a SAT controller associated with a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface is used. For this test, we used an Asus ZenBook 14 UX3405 laptop PC adopting the new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chip.
As the benchmarks to which we submitted the T5 EVO show, performance remains quite low compared to what today’s internal SSDs can offer, which easily reach 6000 MB/s. With CrystalDiskMark, we noted ” only” 459 MB/s reading and 407 MB/s writing. Suffice to say that it takes time to fill the 8 TB of space available. However, it is appropriate to put this result into perspective. On the one hand, this remains much faster than an external hard drive, which is generally limited to around 100 MB/s in writing. Then, the T5 EVO chips are obviously limited by the USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which does not allow the very high speeds of internal SSDs to the PCIe standard. Nothing surprising then.
Finally, note that Samsung provides with its SSD its Magician utility for Windows, macOS and Android. This app allows you to take advantage of device firmware updates, perform speed tests, diagnostics, configure a secure zone, etc. A practical, simple and well-designed tool.
Samsung SSD T5 EVO: should you go for Samsung’s large capacity SSD?
With this enormous storage capacity just a click away, Samsung’s T5 EVO obviously beats what 2.5-inch external hard drives can offer – some 3.5-inch models reach 16 TB. In terms of speed, it is also clearly superior, with much higher flow rates. It will therefore perfectly replace an external hard drive to store a very large amount of data. Compared to the cost per gigabyte, the 8 TB model is more advantageous than the 2 TB and 4 TB versions. But at 600 euros in the catalog, the bill remains quite high. If you prioritize speed while remaining loyal to Samsung, opt for several T7 SSDs priced at 190 euros for 2 TB.