ADATA 1TB XPG MARS 980 BLADE Gen5 M.2 NVMe Laptop-Ready SSD

Q: What is the XPG MARS 980 BLADE 1TB?

A PCIe Gen5 x4, NVMe 2.0 M.2 2280 SSD designed for laptops/compact builds, marketed as PS5 compatible and aimed at ultra-fast gaming and creator workloads.

Q: What speeds can I expect from the 1TB model?

Rated up to 14,000 MB/s sequential read and 10,000 MB/s sequential write for the 1TB model on a compatible PCIe 5.0 platform.

Q: Do I need a PCIe 5.0 motherboard to get 14,000 MB/s?

Yes. A PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slot is required for near-maximum Gen5 speeds. In Gen4 slots it will typically run at Gen4-limited speeds.

Q: Is it compatible with PS5?

Yes, it is marketed as PS5 compatible. For PS5 installs you must use an appropriate heatsink/thermal solution and ensure it fits PS5 M.2 bay clearance.

Q: Does it include a heatsink, and will it fit in a laptop?

Reviews note a thin optional stick-on heatsink rather than a bulky heatsink, aimed at laptop/compact builds.

Q: How thin is it (laptop-ready thickness)?

Listings commonly describe ~3.2mm thickness without heatsink and ~4.5mm overall thickness in spec tables (model dependent). Always check your laptop’s M.2 clearance.

Q: Does it have DRAM cache and SLC caching?

Yes. Spec sheets list a DRAM cache buffer and dynamic SLC caching to help responsiveness and sustained performance.

Q: What endurance (TBW) and warranty does the 1TB version have?

Common listings state a 5-year limited warranty and endurance up to 740 TBW for the 1TB model (whichever limit is reached first).

Q: How fast is it for random IOPS?

Reviews cite up to about 1,600,000 read IOPS for the 1TB model, with the range rated up to around 1,650,000 write IOPS (varies by capacity and test).

Q: Will it run hot or throttle in a small PC or laptop?

Gen5 SSDs can run warmer under heavy writes. For best sustained speeds, use a heatsink/thermal pads and ensure good airflow; temperatures vary by system cooling.

Description

Description

ADATA XPG MARS 980 BLADE 1TB Gen5 NVMe SSD – M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 x4 (NVMe 2.0), Laptop-Ready, Up to 14,000MB/s Read, PS5 Compatible

Summary: The XPG MARS 980 BLADE 1TB is a next-gen PCIe Gen5 x4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD built for high-performance gaming and creator laptops, compact PCs, and modern desktop platforms. It supports NVMe 2.0, uses SLC caching + DRAM cache buffer for snappy loading and responsive multitasking, and is designed for better efficiency thanks to a 6nm controller—helping reduce heat versus many bulky Gen5 drives.

With up to 14,000MB/s sequential read (and up to 10,000MB/s write listed for this 1TB model), the MARS 980 BLADE is ideal for fast Windows boot, large game installs, instant level loads, and heavy file transfers. It’s also backward compatible with PCIe Gen4/Gen3 systems, and can be installed in a PlayStation 5 as an expansion SSD (performance can vary by title, per Sony notes).

Why buyers choose the MARS 980 BLADE

Gen5 speed in a slim “blade” design: built for laptops and tight cases
SMI SM2508 controller (6nm): strong performance-to-power efficiency
DRAM cache + SLC caching: smoother OS/game loading and file caching
PS5 compatible: fits the PS5 M.2 expansion bay
5-year limited warranty: long-term peace of mind

Key specifications

Capacity: 1TB
Form factor: M.2 2280
Interface: PCIe Gen5 x4
NVMe: NVMe 2.0
Controller: SMI SM2508 (6nm)
NAND: 3D NAND (XPG notes carefully selected high-layer 3D NAND on the series)
Sequential performance: up to 14,000MB/s read; up to 10,000MB/s write (1TB listing)
Random 4K (listed): up to 1,600K read / 1,650K write IOPS
Shock resistance: 1500G / 0.5ms
Warranty: 5-year limited

Compatibility notes

Best performance requires PCIe 5.0 support on your motherboard/laptop; it still works on PCIe 4.0/3.0 at platform speeds.
PS5 installation: check PS5 requirements and ensure adequate cooling/clearance for the M.2 bay.
Real-world speeds vary by hardware, thermals, firmware, and workload.

Specification

Series: ADATA XPG MARS 980 BLADE

Capacity: 1 TB

Form Factor: M.2 2280

Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4

Controller: SMI SM2508

Read:

Up to 14,000 Mb/s
PS5: Up to 6,100 Mb/s

Write:

Up to 10,000 Mb/s

Max Random 4K R/W: 1,600K / 1,650K IOPS

Weight/Dimensions:

12g (with heatsink)
8g (without heatsink)
(LxWxH) 80 x 22 x 4.5 mm (with heatsink)
(LxWxH) 80 x 22 x 3.2 mm (without heatsink)

Operating Temperatures: 0°C - 70°C

Storage Temperatures: -40°C - 85°C

Shock Resistance: 1500G/0.5ms

MTBF: 1,600,000 hours

Total Bytes Written (TBW): 740TB

Additional Features:

NAND Flash: 3D NAND
SLC Caching
DRAM Cache Buffer
NVMe 2.0 Support
Compact Design - ideal for laptops and compact systems
Built with TSMCs advanced 6nm process
Can be installed in PS5 as an expansion drive

Package Type: Retail

Package Weight: 0.0120 kg

Warranty: 5 Years or if the drive exceeds Total Bytes Written (see above)

Returns

30 Days Return

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

ADATA XPG MARS 980 BLADE 1TB (PCIe Gen5) — FAQ

What is the XPG MARS 980 BLADE 1TB?

The XPG MARS 980 BLADE is a PCIe Gen5 x4, NVMe 2.0 M.2 2280 SSD designed to deliver ultra-fast load times for gaming/creation, with a slim “laptop-ready” design and PS5 compatibility.

What speeds can I expect from the 1TB model?

Rated up to 14,000 MB/s read and 10,000 MB/s write on the 1TB version (Gen5 platform required for best results).

Do I need a PCIe 5.0 motherboard to get 14,000 MB/s?

Yes — to reach near-maximum Gen5 performance you’ll need a PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slot on a compatible platform. If installed in a Gen4 slot, it will still work but will typically run at Gen4 speeds (slot limited).

Is it compatible with PS5?

Yes, it’s marketed as PS5 compatible. For PS5 installations, you must use a suitable heatsink/thermal solution and confirm the SSD fits within PS5’s M.2 bay clearance.

Does it include a heatsink, and will it fit in a laptop?

Reviews note the drive comes with a thin optional stick-on heatsink (not a bulky tower heatsink). That slim approach is aimed at laptop/compact builds where space is tight.

How thin is it? (laptop-ready thickness)

Some UK listings describe it as ~3.2mm thick without heatsink and around 4.5mm overall thickness in spec tables (model dependent). Always compare with your laptop’s M.2 clearance before buying.

Does it have DRAM cache and SLC caching?

Yes — reseller spec sheets list a DRAM cache buffer and dynamic SLC caching to help responsiveness and sustained performance.

What endurance (TBW) and warranty does the 1TB version have?

Listings commonly state 5-year limited warranty and endurance up to 740 TBW for the 1TB model (whichever limit is reached first).

How fast is it for random IOPS (real “snappiness”)?

For the 1TB model, reviews cite up to about 1,600,000 read IOPS, and the range is rated up to ~1,650,000 write IOPS (varies by capacity and test).

Will it run hot or throttle in a small PC or laptop?

Gen5 SSDs can run warmer under heavy writes. Reviews highlight the BLADE’s slim thermal approach and note temperatures observed under benchmarking (results vary by airflow/heatsink). For best sustained speeds, use a heatsink and ensure good case airflow.

Is it good for gaming and PS5 expansion?

Yes — it’s built for fast game loads and large installs. On PS5, you’ll mainly feel benefits in load times and storage headroom; on PC, Gen5 shines most during heavy transfers, content creation, and high-speed workflows.

Does it work in a PCIe Gen3 slot?

In most systems, PCIe is backward-compatible, so it should operate at the slot’s maximum supported generation/speed. However, performance will be significantly lower than Gen5. Always check your motherboard/laptop M.2 support list.

Any install tips to avoid issues (PS5/PC)?

• Update your motherboard BIOS/chipset drivers for best Gen5 stability.
• Use a heatsink/thermal pad and avoid trapping the SSD under a GPU with no airflow.
• On PS5, ensure the heatsink height fits the bay and tighten the mounting screw properly.
• If you see speed drops during long writes, it’s usually normal SLC cache behavior or thermal throttling—improve cooling.

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ADATA 1TB XPG MARS 980 BLADE Gen5 M.2 NVMe Laptop-Ready SSD, M.2 2280, PCIe 5.0, 3D NAND, R/W 14K/10K MB/s, PS5 Compatible

Description