SSD stands for solid-state drive, which are data storage devices that use integrated circuit assemblies and flash memory to store data persistently. Unlike traditional hard disk drives that have spinning disks and movable read/write heads, SSDs are based on microchips and have no moving parts.
A 3500 Mbps SSD refers to a solid-state drive with a maximum sequential read and write speed of 3500 megabytes per second. This is an extremely fast SSD, as most average consumer SSDs have speeds between 200-550 Mbps. The 3500 Mbps speed specification means the SSD can read or write a 3.5 GB file in about 1 second.
Benefits of High Speed SSDs
High speed SSDs, defined as SSDs with sequential read and write speeds of over 3,000 MB/s, offer significant performance benefits over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and even slower SSDs. Some key advantages of high speed SSDs include:
Faster load times – With sequential read speeds up to 7x faster than HDDs, high speed SSDs dramatically reduce load and boot times. Games, apps, files, and operating systems load almost instantly.1
Faster boot times – High speed SSDs can boot computers in seconds rather than minutes thanks to quick access times and data transfer speeds.2
Faster file transfer speeds – High speed SSDs excel at sequential file transfers, easily handling very large files, 4K video, and more.
Overall system responsiveness – The combination of fast access times and high data throughput gives a snappy, responsive computing experience.
High speed SSDs over PCIe or the latest SATA interfaces take full advantage of all the inherent benefits of SSDs – durability, low power consumption, compact size, silent operation, etc. For demanding applications like video production, engineering simulations, creative workstations, and high performance gaming PCs, a cutting edge high speed NVMe SSD over PCIe 4.0 x4 or faster offers incredible real-world speed.
1 https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/pc-performance/benefits-of-ssd
2 https://www.crucial.com/articles/about-ssd/the-benefits-of-an-ssd
Common Use Cases
Super fast SSDs with read and write speeds over 3500 Mbps are best suited for applications that require fast access to large amounts of data. Here are some of the most common use cases where a high-speed NVMe SSD would make the most impact:
Gaming
Gamers can benefit greatly from the incredibly fast load times of a high performance SSD like this. Games nowadays require loading large texture files and assets, so being able to access them quickly from an SSD enhances the gaming experience and reduces wait times significantly (source).
Creative Work
For creative professionals working with large media files like high resolution photos, videos, 3D models, etc., a fast SSD improves workflow efficiency tremendously. Applications like video editing suites and 3D modelling software require moving around GBs of data, so the faster storage and access makes a big difference in productivity (source).
Data Transfer
A high speed SSD over 3500 Mbps is ideal for tasks involving large data transfers like moving big files between drives or making system backups. The fast sequential read/write speeds ensure the transfers complete quickly.
Cost Considerations
Faster NVMe SSDs generally cost more than slower SATA SSDs. For example, a 480GB SATA SSD may cost around $35 while a comparable 480GB NVMe SSD is around $55 (source). The premium for NVMe’s faster speeds is typically around $15-25 more for similar storage capacities.
However, the price difference between NVMe and SATA has been shrinking over time. In many cases, the small premium is worth it for the huge performance gains. NVMe SSDs provide 3-5x faster sequential read/write speeds and significantly higher IOPS.
For budget-focused builds, SATA SSDs remain a viable option. But for high-performance gaming rigs and workstations, NVMe is recommended if your motherboard has an M.2 slot. The speed boost is substantial and justifies the modest price premium in most cases.
Alternatives to Consider
While an SSD with transfer speeds of 3500 MB/s is quite fast, there are some viable alternatives depending on your needs and budget.
One alternative is to go with a slower SATA SSD. The maximum throughput of the SATA interface is around 550 MB/s, so SATA SSDs generally max out at 560 MB/s speeds. Some popular and affordable SATA SSD options include the Samsung 870 EVO and the Crucial MX500.
For many users, a SATA SSD still provides a big performance boost over a hard disk drive. The downside is slower peak transfer speeds compared to NVMe SSDs. But for more budget-focused builds, SATA SSDs offer plenty of speed at a lower cost.
Another alternative is to go with a slightly slower NVMe SSD. While top-of-the-line NVMe drives boast speeds over 7000 MB/s, more affordable NVMe SSDs still offer strong performance in the 3000-3500 MB/s range. The WD Black SN850 and Samsung 980 Pro are two well-reviewed NVMe drives with speeds around 3500 MB/s that can save a bit on cost versus the fastest SSDs.
Overall, slower SATA SSDs or moderately fast NVMe drives can still offer strong real-world performance. But for max transfer speeds, cutting edge SSDs with throughput over 3500 MB/s provide the peak performance for high-end PCs and workstations.
Supported Connections
NVMe SSDs like the 3500 Mbps drive connect via the m.2 or PCIe interface, offering much faster speeds than traditional SATA SSDs. The m.2 form factor allows NVMe drives to connect directly to the PCIe bus through a slot on the motherboard, bypassing the SATA bus bottleneck. As this source explains, the PCIe 3.0 x4 interface provides up to 4GB/s bandwidth, while SATA 3.0 maxes out around 500-600MB/s. NVMe was designed specifically for non-volatile memory like SSDs, so it takes full advantage of the low latency and parallelism of PCIe. The m.2 connector type used will depend on the keying – B Key for SATA or M Key for PCIe x2/x4 NVMe SSDs.
Compatibility Factors
High speed SSDs with read speeds up to 3500 Mbps require certain compatibility factors to achieve peak performance. Two key components to consider are the motherboard and CPU.
To fully utilize NVMe SSDs with speeds over 3000 Mbps, your motherboard needs an M.2 slot that supports PCIe 3.0 x4 or higher. Older motherboards may have M.2 slots but are limited to PCIe 2.0 or lower bandwidth, which can bottleneck maximum read/write speeds.
For example, one 3500 Mbps NVMe SSD states PCIe 3.0 x4 interface compatibility in its specifications. So you’ll want to ensure your motherboard has M.2 slots rated for at least PCIe 3.0 x4 transfer rates.
Your CPU also plays a role. NVMe SSD bandwidth can be limited if your processor only supports up to PCIe 3.0. Newer CPUs support PCIe 4.0 which removes this bottleneck. So pairing a high speed NVMe SSD with a compatible PCIe 4.0 CPU allows maximum rated transfer speeds.
In summary, high performance SSDs require verifying motherboard slot and CPU PCIe version compatibility to avoid limiting speeds. Consulting your motherboard manual or specifications is recommended when matching high bandwidth SSDs.
Performance Benchmarks
When evaluating the performance of an SSD like a 3500 Mbps model, sequential read and write speeds in standardized benchmarks are important metrics to consider. According to tests from SSD-Tester, PCIe 3.0 x4 SSDs can achieve speeds of around 3,500 MB/s. In comparison, the latest PCIe 4.0 models with higher interface bandwidth can reach over 7,000 MB/s. Popular benchmarking tools like CrystalDiskMark help quantify maximum sequential read/write performance.
For example, in CrystalDiskMark testing, Samsung’s 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 SSD scored sequential read speeds of 6,985 MB/s and write speeds of 5,075 MB/s. WD’s Black SN850X achieved 7,025 MB/s sequential reads and 5,465 MB/s writes. While a 3500 Mbps SSD may not reach the pinnacle of performance possible today, it can still offer strong real-world throughput compared to SATA models.
It’s important to note that benchmarks focus on peak sequential transfers, while random performance matters more for real-world usage. Still, sequential speeds provide a standardized way to compare SSDs. For many users, a 3500 Mbps PCIe 3.0 SSD hits a sweet spot of affordable high performance.
Latest Industry Trends
The SSD industry is rapidly evolving, with new and faster drives being released each year. Some of the latest trends include:
Faster SSD releases: Manufacturers are continually pushing the speed limits of SSDs. In 2021, drives started being introduced with read/write speeds up to 7,000/5,000 MB/s, whereas mainstream SSDs in 2020 topped out at 3,500/3,000 MB/s. This acceleration is being fueled by new interfaces like PCIe 4.0 and emerging NAND flash memory technologies.
PCIE 4.0 adoption: PCIe 4.0 offers twice the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0, doubling theoretical transfer speeds up to 16,000 MB/s. In 2021, both AMD and Intel released CPUs and chipsets supporting PCIe 4.0. As the interface becomes more common, faster 4.0 SSDs are steadily displacing their PCIe 3.0 predecessors.
Conclusion
In summary, SSDs with speeds of 3500 Mbps and higher offer ultra-fast performance that can significantly improve computing tasks and workflows. The key benefits are faster boot times, quicker file transfers, improved gaming experiences, and enhanced multitasking capabilities.
While these SSDs come at a premium cost, the investment pays off for power users, gamers, creative professionals, and tech enthusiasts who want next-level speeds. For budget-focused consumers, more affordable SATA SSD options around 500-550 Mbps may suffice.
For those seeking a middle ground, NVMe Gen3 SSDs in the 2000-3000 Mbps range provide excellent speeds at reasonable prices. When opting for cutting-edge Gen4 speeds like 3500 Mbps, be sure to verify hardware and software compatibility to fully utilize the SSD’s capabilities.
Overall, high-end SSDs like those with 3500 Mbps speeds deliver exceptional real-world performance gains that advanced users will appreciate. But for typical consumer needs, more affordable SATA and NVMe Gen3 options still offer significant improvements over hard disk drives.