Uneven trio with SM2508: Adata introduces a new, faster PCIE-5.0 SSD fleet 13 comments
Image: Adata
Adata isn’t bursting at the seams, but rather bursting at the seams, introducing three new SSDs with a fast PCIe 5.0 interface today. However, the same base with an efficient SM2508 controller is behind the Mars 980 Storm, Mars 980 Blade, and Mars 980 Pro. There are differences in cooling, some of which are implemented with air and water.
Essentially, these are the new Adata SSDs announced at CES 2025. However, these are no longer on the market as the “970” series, but as the 980 series, which is certainly to be welcomed. After all, this is a different and newer platform than the ADATA Legend 970 controller with IG5666.
For the 980 SSDs, ADATA relies on the new SM2508 controller, which has just arrived in this country and is also used in the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 or the Lexar NM1090 Pro. This chip promises at least comparable performance to the Phison E26, but is much more economical thanks to its 6nm design and therefore more efficient.
The performance is the same for all.
At least at the maximum throughput, as is possible in the short-term Crystaldiskmark, the performance of the three newcomers is also identical. Adata announces a maximum of 14,000 MB/s for reading and 13,000 MB/s. This almost corresponds to the maximum throughput rates of a Samsung 9100 Pro (test). However, the true performance of an SSD can only be found in detailed tests far from synthetic benchmarks.
Mars 980 Storm Mars 980 Pro Mars 980 SHAPE BLADE M.2-2280 Storage capacities 1TB, 2TB, 4TB Controller SM2508 NAND-FLASH 3D TLC Interface PCIe 5.0 X4 SEQ. Read/Write 14,000/13,000MB/s 4k Random Read/Write 2,000k/1,650k IOPS Cooling Air (Active) / Air (Active) Dimensions (Passive) (with cooler) 80.5 × 24.45 mm 80.5 × 11.2 mm 80 × 22 × 4.5 mm Weight (with cooler) 72 g 12 g Total. (4-TB Model)
As a comparison of the key data reveals, the differences are only in the cooling, which is described in more detail below for each model.
Adata Mars 980 Storm
The Mars 980 Storm is equipped with a supposedly particularly powerful “dual system cooling.” The cooler is a hybrid solution consisting of a liquid cooler and an air cooler. Combined with copper heat sinks and two external 20 mm fans, the patented design is said to cool approximately 20% better than a conventional fanless (or water) cooler, the manufacturer claims in its own tests.
The power supply for the mini-fans is directly via the M.2 slot. This eliminates the need to connect additional cables, as is the case with some actively cooled SSDs. Adata Mars 980 Storm
Adata Mars 980 Pro
The Mars 980 Pro uses a simpler, liquid-free cooler with a single fan. The design is basically similar to the Legend 970 Pro, but apparently now features a radial fan, which ensures airflow through the side vents. At 11.2 mm tall, this SSD is considerably flatter than the Storm variant, which is over 30 mm tall. It simply fits into the PlayStation 5, which has a maximum height of 11.25 mm.
Adata Mars 980 Pro
Adata Mars 980 Blade
There will likely never be any space issues with the Mars 980 Blade, as according to the manufacturer, its cooling plate is only 0.8 mm thick. No major cooling service can be expected, but it is also possible to use it in thin notebooks.
Adata Mars 980 Blade
Price and Availability
All models mentioned should be available with 1 TB, 2 TB, or 4 TB of storage. However, Adata has not yet provided any information on pricing or delivery dates. At least for the Mars 980 Slim Blade, there are the lower prices: the alternative dealer currently charges around 142 euros* (1 TB), 204 euros* (2 TB), and 336 euros* (4 TB). The price of the larger model is surprisingly low. A comparable Lexar NM1090 Pro ultimately costs almost 500 euros. A pricing error cannot be completely ruled out.
The coming weeks will show whether a price war will develop between innovations with SM2508 controllers and whether this platform is also a real alternative to the Phison E26.
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