CONCLUSION

   When KIOXIA send the BG5 sample over I hadn’t even checked its specifications sheet (nor did I check the sticker) so when my first results came out, I really thought this was a PCIe 3.0 Gen3 M.2 NVMe SSD. Client-grade storage devices are primarily aimed towards system builders/integrators (for example Lenovo) so most of them are not really on the high-end when it comes to performance. Still, I didn’t expect that a somewhat recent PCIe 4.0 Gen4 drive (the BG5 series was unveiled in late 2021) would deliver Gen3 performance numbers. The good news is that not many current drives (especially SED ones) are available in the M.2 2230 form factor and my guess is that KIOXIA wanted to cover a wider market audience (desktop systems, laptops, mini PC’s, NAS servers and embedded devices in general). Unfortunately, since KIOXIA doesn’t report endurance numbers (TBW) I can’t really comment on that but with an MTTF of 1.5 million hours this should be a mid-endurance drive.

   The KIOXIA BG5 (KBG50ZNV1T02) PCIe 4.0 Gen4 Client-Grade M.2 NVMe SSD currently retails for around 160Euros inside the EU, a price tag which at least for an M.2 2280 form factor model is way too much (limited current availability also hurts prices). Still, these are client oriented models so regular consumers are clearly not KIOXIA's target audience (system builders and integrators will obviously get them in bulk for much less). Bottom line the BG5 line by KIOXIA clearly has its sights on a whole different segment of the market/industry (for which it may do wonders depending on final cost and even support) and so it’s obviously not something consumers out in the market looking for a brand new PCIe 4.0 Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD would ever set their eyes on.

PROS

- Form Factors (M.2 2280 & M.2 2230)
- BiCS5 3D TLC NAND Flash (Mid Endurance / 1.5 Million Hours MTTF)
- Low Power Consumption
- SED Models Available
- 3 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Performance Levels (For A Gen4 Model)
- Price (For Some)
- Market Availability