AGI AI828 SSD Review | Multi-Purpose Afforadability

The AGI AI828 is a PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD for non-flagship people. Sequential read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6,700 MB/s are offered from higher-capacity models. It also includes a heatsink (optional) ideal for gaming PC, laptops, and even the PlayStation 5.

There are several capacities available for this SSD; you can opt for 512GB, and the maximum is 8TB, which seems sufficient depending on your needs. Additionally, the drive is DRAM-less with Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology to maintain affordability while still providing snappy day-to-day performance.

Let's see how the AGI AI828 stacks up in terms of design, performance, thermals, and power efficiency, as well as what it's like to live with daily, to determine if you should include one in your next PC upgrade.

Here are the main specs before we move on to further details.

• PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe 1.4 interface
• M.2 2280 form factor
• Up to 7,400 MB/s sequential read speed
• Up to 6,700 MB/s sequential write speed (2TB model)
• Available in 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB
• 3D NAND Flash
• DRAM-less design with Host Memory Buffer (HMB)
• Optional aluminum heatsink included
• Compatible with desktops, laptops, and PS5
• Up to 6,200 MB/s PS5 sequential read performance
• Endurance up to 6,000 TBW (8TB model)
• MTBF rated at 1.6 million hours
• Shock resistance up to 1,500G
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 70°C
• 5-year limited warranty
  
  

You already have the standard M.2 2280 form factor, so installation is fast and easy. And, with the SSD being single-sided, it should easily fit inside most gaming notebooks and mini desktop systems.

Its optional aluminum heatsink is among its highest points. It provides more effective cooling under heavy workloads and also makes the SSD suitable for PlayStation 5 upgrades. For users who find this in laptops, though, it provides a much easier method — take off the heatsink if the space is tight.

The design might be simple, but it definitely has a robust feel. The PCB is of a decent quality, and the heatsink attaches securely to the drive. So you have more freedom to keep the AI828 with the type of systems.

It is when we get into performance that the AI828 really starts to shine. With a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, the SSD can reach 7,400 MB/s sequential read speeds and up to 6,700 MB/s write speeds on the 2TB version. As a result, Windows boots quickly, apps start almost instantly, and large games load at far faster speeds than SATA SSDs.

In addition, the SSD is ideal for day-to-day computing, playing games, office work, and content creation. During that time, the SLC cache is available, and file transfers continue to be very fast.

However, there is one important limitation. As is the case with many budget DRAM-less SSDs, write performance takes a pretty hefty hit once the large SLC cache fills up. For sustained transfer rates, this can keep the write speed well below 200 MB/s during very large continuous transfers until the cache recovers. Fortunately, most users do not continue to write hundreds of gigabytes, so the problem will not affect normal work habits daily.

Gaming Workloads, well, fairly good. On the AI828, newer games load in an instant, textures stream seamlessly, and loading between levels remains responsive. And it also would be great for console gamers wanting to expand storage with PS5 compatibility.

The heatsink prevents overheating even when gaming all day. Premium SSDs may have somewhat lower latency, and in various workloads this does make a difference.  Still, gaming is mostly I/O-bound and really only gets a boost with the fastest (or the right kind) of storage devices… so latency here is less important to most gamers.

The AI828 has some positive notes as well in the areas of heat management. An aluminum heatsink is also onboard to further aid heat dissipation during extended gaming sessions or when transferring large files.

Thermal throttling is also hardly noticeable under moderate workloads. Performance will only start slowing down a little during very intensive writes because sustained writes would produce plenty of heat. Nevertheless, even then the temperature does not exceed a safe operating range.

Instead, the AGI AI828 takes advantage of a DRAM-less architecture with Host Memory Buffer technology to help trim manufacturing costs. However, independent tests show that it is not the most power-efficient competing PCIe Gen4 SSD on the market.

This is not a problem at all for desktop users. Those heavy workloads may lead to a slightly increased power draw for laptop users, although the effect in regular use will be minimal.

AGI provides solid endurance ratings across the board.

·         512GB: 350 TBW

·         1TB: 750 TBW

·         2TB: 1,500 TBW

·         4TB: 3,000 TBW

·         8TB: 6,000 TBW

Moreover, it features a 5-year limited warranty on the SSD for maintenance-free operation over an extended period. Such battery endurance is absolutely plenty for gaming, content creation, and more professional workloads.

Here is what it offers:

Pros

• Excellent sequential read speeds up to 7,400 MB/s
• Fast write speeds on larger capacities
• Available from 512GB up to 8TB
• Optional heatsink included
• PS5 compatible
• Single-sided design fits most laptops
• Strong endurance ratings
• 5-year warranty
• Good everyday responsiveness
  
  

Cons

• DRAM-less architecture
• Sustained write speeds drop sharply after cache exhaustion
• Power efficiency trails some competing Gen4 SSDs
• Premium-priced models face strong competition from faster alternatives
  
  

Today we are starting the review of another PCIe Gen4 storage solution in the form of AGI's latest and powerful yet price-competitive, high peak speed-focused AGI AI828 SSD with a nice wide range for capacity. The laptop is suitable for general use, from computing to gaming, as well as developing and content creation. Also, its value is enhanced by the included PS5 compatibility and heatsink.

At least, if users are used to moving hundreds of gigabytes of data regularly, it should be kept in mind that sustained write performance falls very far once the cache is filled as well. Similarly, power efficiency is also not its forte.

Conclusively, if you are after a fast Gen4 SSD for gaming, general-purpose use, or additional PS5 storage, then the AGI AI828 works. Not the fastest thing ever at this price, but you do get really good everyday performance and more than enough speed for 95% of users.