Writes faster than it can read. | Even though HP laptops don't ship with HP SSDs, the OEM still offers its own high-end solution for gamers and content creators through the EX series.
The HP EX950 series replaces the 2018 EX920 series by offering significantly faster write rates than before and a new higher capacity 2 TB option. The 1 TB EX920, for example, promises sequential write rates of up to 1800 MB/s compared to 2900 MB/s on the 1 TB EX950. HP is targeting audio/video editors, gamers, and other performance users with its PCIe x4 EX series of NVMe SSDs similar to the Western Digital Black series or the Asura Genesis Xtreme.
The 2 TB test unit was provided by BIWIN Storage who is an authorized partner of HP. Newegg currently has the 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB options in stock for $90, $155, and $270 USD, respectively, each with 5-year warranty as standard.
Capacity
512 GB (5MS22AA#ABC)
1 TB (5MS23AA#ABC)
2 TB (5MS24AA#ABC)
Max Sequential Read
3500 MB/s
3500 MB/s
3500 MB/s
Max Sequential Write
2250 MB/s
2900 MB/s
2900 MB/s
4 KB Random Read
390,000 IOPS
410,000 IOPS
410,000 IOPS
4 KB Random Write
370,000 IOPS
370,000 IOPS
380,000 IOPS
Test System
The host laptop for benchmarking the HP EX950 will be the 17.3-inch Walmart EVOO 17 gaming laptop which is able to house two PCIe x4 NVMe SSDs and even a 2.5-inch SATA III drive. It shares the same chassis as the Schenker Neo 17 since both laptops are derived from the same Tongfang barebones chassis.
See our full review on the Walmart EVOO 17 here to learn more about the system.
AS SSD & CrystalDiskMark
We're able to come close to the claimed sequential write rate of 2900 MB/s when running CrystalDiskMark with a queue depth of 32 on a single thread. Sequential read rates, however, max out at about 2300 MB/s only.
ATTO
Unlike CDM or AS SSD, ATTO tests transfer rates across increasingly large block sizes from 512 B all the way up to 64 MB. Write rates outpace read rates whereas the opposite is true for most other SSDs. The Asura Genesis Xtreme is able to offer 2x the write rates albeit with slower read rates overall.
Temperature
Temperature idles at 25 C with a peak of 41 C after a single benchmark run of CrystalDiskMark 7.
Verdict
In review: 2 TB HP EX950 5MS24AA#ABC. Test unit provided by Biwin Storage
The HP EX950 is notable for its fast write rates relative to other SSDs including the all-popular Samsung PM981 found on many high-end machines. However, this seemingly comes at the cost of read rates which are slightly slower than some budget-midrange NVMe SSDs like the Patriot P300. If you can exploit the fast write speeds during your daily workloads, then the HP EX950 may be worth considering. Otherwise, alternatives like the new WD SN550 can be found for cheaper.
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