Seagate Launches BarraCuda 510 and FireCuda 510 M.2 NVMe SSD

Seagate at CES 2019: BarraCuda 510 and FireCuda 510 M.2 NVMe

You know, Seagate just recently returned to the consumer SSD market with its BarraCuda SSD. However, it didn’t make much of a splash. But Seagate took the first step and started a brand new technique as a vendor of Phison-based consumer SSDs.

And now it is using the new E12 NVMe controller of Phison to enter the high-end market with a series of M.2 NVMe SSDs: BarraCuda 510 and FireCuda 510 SSD. Now, let’s go to see some specifications on them.

Disk Capacity

Seagate BarraCuda 510 M.Z NVMe SSD has two capacities, such as 256GB and 512GB, while Seagate FireCuda 510 SSD also debuts in just two models initially including 1TB and 2TB.

At first glance, it may seem to be silly for Seagate to use two completely different names to refer to two parts of the same product line. However, as to the current state of high-end consumer NVMe SSDS, only the largest models can reach the spectacular speeds that attain the bounds of a PCIe 3 x4 link.

Smaller models are hampered by the lack of NAND flash memory dies for SSD controllers to access in parallel. To some extent, this has always been the case. But now, each 3D TLC die provides either 256GB or 512GB, and the performance penalty for small drives tends to affect the mainstream disk capacity.

Due to this, it makes sense for Seagate to reserve its gaming and enthusiast-focused FireCuda branding for the 1TB and 2TB models, whereas its more mainstream BarraCuda branding is for 256GB and 512GB models.

Form Factor

Both of them are in the M.2-2280 form factor, but the Seagate BarraCuda 510 M.2 NVMe SSD is single-sides, which is conducive to plugging it into a thinner laptop and the FireCuda NVMe 510 SSD is double sided.

Besides, Seagate BarraCuda 510 SSD will also be available in versions with or without TCG Opal encryption support, and the FireCuda SSD will only ship in non-encrypting form.

Performance

As to the BarraCuda 510, its maximum sequential read speed can reach 3400MB/s and maximum sequential write can reach 2100MB/s. The random read and write perform can respectively reach 340k IOPS and 500k IOPS.

As for the FireCuda 510, it has a slightly faster sequential read and write speeds that are respectively 3450MB/s and 3200MB/s. Its random read and write perform can respectively reach 620k IOPS and 600k IOPS.

Endurance Rating

In endurance rating, there is a difference between these two SSDs. For the BarraCuda 510, it is 0.3 drive writes per day. For the FireCuda, it is 0.5 drive writes per day. And both figures are typical of mainstream consumer SSDS, but not high-end models.

Other Specifications

Seagate BarraCuda 510 M.2 NVMe SSD and Seagate FireCuda 510 SSD are utilizing the PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and VNMe 1.3 protocol. And they both use 64-layer 3D TLC NAND flash from Toshiba and Phison PS5012-E12 controller. Besides, both offer a 5-year warranty.

Final Words

Now, you know much information about Seagate FireCuda 510 NVMe SSD and BarraCuda 510 SSD. Currently, Seagate hasn’t announced pricing for the two new models that will ship in March 2019. If you are interested in them, please pay attention to the Seagate website.

Once it is available in the market, you can get one and use MiniTool software to migrate your Windows system to one SSD without reinstallation to enjoy its good performance.