Teamgroup T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB SSD Review

A leading force in performance memory and storage since 1997, TEAMGROUP delivers innovative solutions for gamers and creative professionals. Their T-FORCE and T-CREATE lines boast high-performance RAM, storage drives, and a range of PC components trusted by enthusiasts worldwide.

The Teamgroup T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB SSD positions itself as a budget-friendly contender in the high-speed PCIe Gen4 storage arena. Lets take a closer look at this drive as we delve deeper into its technical aspects, performance, and value proposition.

Specifications:

• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Capacity: 1TB
• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe 1.4
• Controller: Phison E18
• NAND: 3D TLC NAND
• DRAM Cache: Yes (amount unspecified)
• Sequential Read: Up to 7,400 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 6,200 MB/s
• Random Read IOPS: Up to 800,000
• Random Write IOPS: Up to 1,000,000
• Endurance (TBW): 600TBW
• Warranty: 5 years

Closer look at the T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB

TEAMGROUP’s A440 Lite prioritizes environmental responsibility by utilizing recyclable packaging materials. This commitment to sustainability doesn’t compromise on essential product details. The packaging clearly communicates warranty information and compatibility specifications for an informed purchasing decision.

Controller and NAND:

The A440 Lite utilizes a PHISON PS5027-E27T control chip, a proven performer in the mid-range PCIe Gen4 segment. This controller efficiently manages data transfer between its 3D TLC NAND flash memory and the PCIe interface. The T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB uses SLC Cache to boost the drive’s performance. They reserve a small portion of the TLC NAND and use it like SLC NAND. Data gets written to this cache first at high speeds. Later, the SSD controller moves the data to the regular TLC storage in the background which ultimately results in better performance. While it’s not as fast at SLC NAND it’s a compromise to make the drive more affordable.

The drive employs 3D TLC NAND, a type of flash memory that offers a good balance between performance, endurance, and cost. 3D TLC stores data on vertically stacked layers, maximizing capacity within a compact form factor. However, compared to more expensive QLC or SLC NAND, 3D TLC has a lower endurance rating, meaning it can withstand a finite number of write cycles before wearing out. This is something to consider if you plan on constantly writing large amounts of data to the T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB.

Endurance and TBW:

TEAMGROUP clearly communicates the A440 Lite’s endurance rating in Terabytes Written (TBW), offering a lifespan estimate based on typical usage patterns. This 600TBW rating translates to a potential 5-10 years of service, though heavy write workloads like video editing can shorten that timeframe. Users prioritizing maximum write endurance may find QLC or SLC NAND drives with higher TBW ratings more suitable.

Form Factor and Design:

The A440 Lite adheres to the M.2 2280 form factor, making it universally compatible with modern motherboards that support PCIe Gen4 x4 storage slots. The drive is only  3.7 mm in thikness making it a very compact design allowing for easy integration into desktops and laptops.

One unique aspect of the A440 Lite is its graphene heat sink. Graphene, a revolutionary material known for its exceptional thermal conductivity, efficiently draws heat away from the controller and NAND flash, ensuring optimal performance even under heavy workloads. This is a significant advantage, especially in compact cases where airflow might be limited and cause thermal throttling limiting the drive’s performance.

If you’re limited on space this Graphene heatsink would provide the best solution as it hardly takes up any space.

Performance:

The T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB boasts impressive read/write speeds, exceeding the 7,000 MB/s barrier for reads and reaching a respectable 6,200 MB/s for writes. These translate to lightning-fast boot times, near-instantaneous application loading, and significantly smoother performance in games that rely heavily on asset streaming.

We performed multiple tests on our test bed that includes a Asus ROG STRIX Z790-H GAMING WIFI running on an Intel Core i7 13700K @ 5.4GHz. We tested the drive using industry-standard benchmark tools like CrystalDiskMark and ATTO Disk benchmark.

Benchmarks indicate the Teamgroup T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB SSD delivers strong performance that closely matches its advertised specifications.

Conclusion:

The Teamgroup T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB SSD is a tempting choice for users looking to buy a PCIe Gen4 SSD storage device without breaking the bank. While it might not be the absolute fastest drive on the market, it offers a solid mix of speed, storage capacity, and affordability.

This drive caters perfectly to everyday users and gamers alike. Powered by a PHISON PS5027-E27T controller and 3D TLC NAND helps to provide noticeably fast performance across various applications. The innovative graphene heat sink helps to keep the drive cool even under heavy use, and its compact size ensures compatibility with most PC cases.

The T-Force A440 Lite sits at a very attractive price point compared to other Gen4 SSDs. At around AU$147 (at the time of writing), it’s clearly one of the most affordable PCIe Gen4 SSDs in the market.

It’s important to note that users with demanding workloads like video editing or frequent large file transfers might benefit from a higher endurance drive. These drives, often found in pricier options with QLC or SLC NAND, offer more write cycles. Additionally, users who value software features like performance optimization or hardware encryption might find the A440 Lite lacking in that department.

For gamers, casual content creators, and everyday PC users, the Cardea A440 Lite 1TB SSD is a compelling option. It strikes a good balance between speed, capacity, and price. If you prioritize performance without blowing your budget, the Teamgroup T-Force Cardea A440 Lite 1TB SSD is a solid choice.