SIX 26 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280

The SIX X7400 hits 7350 MB/s reads, comes with a heatsink and installation kit, and carries a 5-year warranty. At EUR 175 from the cheapest vendor, it's a strong value for gamers and PS5 owners. The trade-offs are no onboard DRAM and unproven long-term reliability. For most people, it's a smart buy.

The headline number is 7350 MB/s sequential read, and that's legitimately fast. It puts this drive in the top tier of PCIe 4.0 drives we track, right up there with drives that cost significantly more. For real-world use, that means game loads, large file transfers, and boot times all feel snappy. The 6700 MB/s write speed mentioned in the specs is also solid, though we don't have independent write benchmarks to verify it. Still, the read speed alone tells you this thing can move data.

The drive uses HMB (Host Memory Buffer) instead of onboard DRAM, which is a cost-saving measure. In practice, that means it borrows a slice of your system RAM for caching. For most people, the difference is invisible. But if you're hammering the drive with sustained writes or running it in a system with limited RAM, you might notice slightly less consistent performance compared to a DRAM-equipped drive like the Samsung 990 PRO. The 12nm controller and Xtacking 3.0 NAND help keep things efficient, and the heatsink does its job for thermal management. Just don't expect it to beat a flagship drive in every scenario.

The Samsung 990 PRO is the obvious benchmark here. It's faster in sustained workloads, has onboard DRAM, and carries Samsung's reputation for reliability. But it also costs more, and for gaming or console use, the difference is hard to notice. The Crucial T500 is another strong alternative, with similar speeds and a better feature set. If you're doing heavy content creation or running a workstation, those drives are worth the premium.

The Lexar NM1090 PRO and Team Group MP44 are closer competitors in the value space. Lexar has a longer track record in storage, which matters if you're nervous about a newer brand. The Team Group MP44 often undercuts everyone on price, but its endurance and thermal performance can be hit or miss. The X7400 sits comfortably in this group, offering a good balance of speed, included accessories, and warranty coverage without the brand tax.

Here's where things get interesting. The EUR pricing spans from 175 to 222 depending on where you look. That's a 47 EUR spread, which is significant for a 1TB drive. If you're in Germany, Spain, France, or Italy, you'll want to check which store has the 175 EUR listing before you click buy. The US price sits at 180 USD, which is competitive but not the screaming deal it could be.

Compared to the Samsung 990 PRO or Crucial T500, you're saving a meaningful chunk of change while getting similar read speeds. The trade-off is that those drives have DRAM, better endurance ratings, and more mature firmware. But for a gaming drive or a PS5 expansion, the X7400 delivers most of the performance for less money. That's a trade plenty of people will happily make.

The SIX X7400 is one of those drives that makes you do a double take. It promises 7350 MB/s reads, comes with a heatsink in the box, and includes the little extras like screws and a screwdriver. That's the kind of stuff you usually only see from brands that have been around for a decade. SIX is clearly trying to punch above its weight class, and for the most part, it lands the hit.

Who's this for? Budget-conscious builders who want PCIe 4.0 speed without paying Samsung or Crucial money. It's also a solid pick for PS5 owners who need more storage and don't want to fuss with buying a separate heatsink. The included thermal solution means you can drop it into a console and forget about it. On paper, it checks a lot of boxes.

The interesting part is the gap between specs and reputation. The drive sits at the 83rd percentile for speed in our database, which is genuinely strong. But its feature score is only 33rd percentile, and endurance is middle of the pack at 57th. So you're getting a fast drive with a decent warranty, but it's not loaded with extras like hardware encryption or fancy management software. That's fine, as long as you know what you're buying.

If you're a content creator doing daily 4K video renders, running databases, or constantly moving large files, this probably isn't your drive. The lack of onboard DRAM and the 57th percentile endurance rating mean sustained write performance will dip more than a DRAM-equipped drive. You'd be better off with a Samsung 990 PRO or Crucial T500, even if it means spending more.

Also skip this if you're building a system where storage reliability is mission-critical. The brand is newer, and while early reviews are positive, there's no long-term track record to lean on. For a NAS, a workstation that can't afford downtime, or anything where data loss would be catastrophic, stick with established brands that have proven endurance and support. The X7400 is a great gaming drive, but it's not built for enterprise duty.

If you're a gamer looking to expand your PS5 storage or add a fast boot drive to your PC, the X7400 is an easy recommendation. The included heatsink means no extra purchases, the 7350 MB/s read speed keeps load times short, and the 5-year warranty gives you some peace of mind. At the 175 EUR price point, it's genuinely hard to beat.

For content creators or anyone doing sustained heavy writes, I'd think twice. The lack of onboard DRAM and the middle-of-the-pack endurance rating mean this drive isn't built for constant hammering. You'd be better served by a Samsung 990 PRO or Crucial T500, even if it costs more upfront. But for the average user who wants fast storage without overthinking it, the X7400 delivers where it counts.