Is TeamGroup's Latest SSD Worth the Hype?

TeamGroup is swiftly establishing itself as a powerhouse in the mid-tier SSD market, churning out impressive models like the G50, G70, and A440. Their latest installment, the T-Force GA Pro, promises a fantastic price-to-performance balance, boasting blistering speeds. With advertised read speeds of 10,000 MB/s and write speeds of 8,500 MB/s, we couldn't resist putting it to the test!

Under the Hood: Tech Specs That Impress

What makes the T-Force GA Pro tick? At its core lies the InnoGrit IG5666 multi-core controller, the same used in their high-end GE Pro and GC Pro models. Built on a sleek 12nm TSMC process with 8 ARM Cortex R5 cores, this drive features 8 NAND flash channels capable of reaching a theoretical maximum of 14 GB/s read and 12 GB/s write. With options ranging from 1TB to a whopping 8TB, there's a size for every need.

Heat Management: A Cool Operator!

Upon unboxing, the GA Pro surprises with a graphene heat dissipation strip. While we didn't encounter thermal throttling under heavy use, this addition is helpful without adding bulk. Whether you're slotting it in a standard system or utilizing a top PCIe 5.0 slot, thermal management is key.

Benchmarking Brilliance: Real-World Speed Tests

After installing the drive, we ran it through a rigorous battery of benchmarks, starting with CrystalDiskmark and ATTO. To our delight, the GA Pro outperformed expectations, hitting 10.5 GB/s for reads and 9.77 GB/s for writes. Impressive, right?

Gaming Performance: Nearly Instant Load Times!

We also tested its gaming prowess using Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. The results were astonishing—near-instant loading times that often outpaced synthetic benchmarks. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, loading the game took only two seconds! This drive excels under real-world conditions, proving it's not just numbers on paper.

Keeping It Cool: A Step Beyond!

While the GA Pro includes a graphene strip, pairing it with an active cooling solution made a significant difference. During stress tests, the maximum temperature reached only 74°C, far better than previous models that hovered around 90-95°C. It’s clear that effective cooling is essential for maintaining performance.

Price Point: A Steal for High-Performance!

When it comes to the price and warranty, the GA Pro shines. We’ve seen consistently reliable performance from TeamGroup drives, and this one comes with a solid 5-year warranty. The 2TB model we reviewed is priced at $169.99, while the 1TB, 4TB, and 8TB options are available at equally attractive prices. For those seeking performance without breaking the bank, this SSD is undeniably a steal.

The Verdict: T-Force GA Pro Is a Game Changer!

TeamGroup has swiftly transitioned from an unknown to a leading contender in the SSD market. The T-Force GA Pro competes fiercely in the PCIe 5.0 arena, offering outstanding performance that demands attention. For potential buyers, consider adding an active cooling solution to ensure those speeds remain sky-high!