Today, we’re taking a look at the ADATA LEGEND 860, a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD offering capacities of up to 2 TB. The version being reviewed is the 1 TB model, featuring speeds of up to 6,000 MB/s read and 4,000 MB/s write.
Disclosure: ADATA supplied the LEGEND 860 for this review without imposing any specific feedback. However, they did request us to include the product link to their official store on Shopee, featuring the 1 TB model priced at ₱3,515 PHP.
Table of Contents:
Technical Specifications
With a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, the LEGEND 860 delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 6,000 MB/s and 5,000 MB/s, respectively. It’s fully compliant with the NVMe 1.4 standard, ensuring optimal performance and low latency. To maintain these high speeds during intensive tasks, the drive utilizes SLC Caching for a burst of performance and supports Host Memory Buffer (HMB), which uses your system’s own DRAM.
| Storage | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 TB (also available in 512 GB and 2 TB) |
| Flash Controller | N/A |
| Flash Memory | 3D NAND |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe Gen 4 x4 |
| Sequential Read | 6,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 4,000 MB/s |
| Random Read | N/A |
| Random Write | N/A |
| Endurance | |
| MTBF | 2,000,000 Hours |
| TBW | 320 TB |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 80 mm |
| Width | 22 mm |
| Height | 3.13 mm (w/ heatsink) |
| Weight | 9.5 grams (w/ heatsink) |
Packaging and Accessories
The LEGEND 860 comes in a simple carton packaging.
Scope of delivery are as follows:
- ADATA LEGEND 860 1 TB SSD
- Heatsink
- Documentation (written inside the box itself)
Design, Build and Connectivity
The ADATA LEGEND 860 features the standard M.2 2280 form factor. The 1 TB version includes two 512 GB NAND chips, along with its controller.
The back of the LEGEND 860 features its warranty and information sticker. This drive comes with ADATA’s 5-year warranty.
With the heatsink installed, the LEGEND 860 gains an added protection from the elements. It should also help the SSD run a bit cooler, which is its main goal in the first place.
For long-term stability and data integrity, the LEGEND 860 is equipped with Advanced hardware LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) Error Correcting Code Technology. This feature automatically detects and fixes data errors, ensuring your files remain safe and extending the lifespan of the SSD.
Throughput
The LEGEND 860 exceeded ADATA’s rated read and write speeds in the CrystalDiskMark sequential speed benchmark.
IOPS
Input/output operations per second (IOPS) performance wasn’t mentioned in ADATA’s datasheet for the LEGEND 860. That said, 460K read and 640K write seem fairly decent for a PCIe 4.0 drive.
Access Time
The access time performance of the LEGEND 860 is good and fitting for its class. In the RND4KQ1T1 test, the SSD achieved a read speed of 73.11 μs and an impressive write speed of 16.43 μs.
File Copy
The LEGEND 860 is a sufficient enough to handle tasks you’d typically encounter in real-world scenarios.
Compression
The compression performance of the LEGEND 860 seems inconsistent, with benchmarks showing a drop during reads and erratic behavior during writes.
Cache
The LEGEND 860’s cache performance is a notable drawback, falling from 2,000 MB/s to 1,400 MB/s after just 30 GB of data written. This is typical for DRAM-less storage solutions like this SSD.
Temperature
The thermal performance of the LEGEND 860 is quite decent even without a heatsink installed, reaching a maximum of 60.01 °C, and 58.02 °C with one installed.
Final Thoughts
The ADATA LEGEND 860 carves out a respectable space for itself in the crowded PCIe 4.0 SSD market by offering a compelling blend of speed, features, and value. It successfully delivers on its core promise, even exceeding its advertised sequential speeds in our testing. With solid thermal performance, PS5 compatibility, and the peace of mind that comes with a 5-year warranty, it presents a very attractive package for its price point.
However, the drive is not without its compromises. The most notable weakness is its SLC cache performance, which sees a significant drop in speed during large, sustained write tasks. While its compression performance was also inconsistent, this is less likely to impact the average user.
Ultimately, the LEGEND 860 a good upgrade option for creators who frequently work with large files for video editing, 3D rendering, or graphic design. Additionally, this SSD is fully compatible and works with the PS5, making it an excellent choice for expanding your console’s storage and slashing game load times.
ADATA LEGEND 860 (1 TB) SSD $60
Product Name: LEGEND 860
Product Description: The ADATA LEGEND 860 is a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 2280 SSD designed for gamers, content creators, and PC enthusiasts. It delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 6,000 MB/s and 5,000 MB/s, respectively, offering a significant performance boost over older PCIe Gen3 and SATA SSDs.
Brand: ADATA
Summary
The ADATA LEGEND 860 is a fantastic choice for gamers, mainstream users, and content creators looking for a significant performance upgrade on a budget. If your workflow doesn’t regularly involve transferring hundreds of gigabytes of data in a single go, its performance and affordability make it an easy recommendation.
Pros
- Excellent sequential read/write performance, exceeding rated speeds
- Very competitive pricing for a PCIe 4.0 drive
- Good thermal management, running cool with or without the heatsink
- Fully compatible with the PlayStation 5 for storage expansion
- Generous 5-year warranty
- Decent IOPS performance and access times for its class
Cons
- Cache performance is a weak point, with speeds dropping significantly on sustained writes
- Inconsistent compression performance during benchmark testing
