Introduction
PHIXERO, centered around three key words: “Exploration, Expansion, Data”, is built up in the beginning of 2020. It traces its beginnings back to the seeds of a simple idea: Intelligent Storage, Infinite Space. As the name implies, the golden ratio φ and the “0” and “1” construct computer data as the core elements. The individuals behind the PHIXERO story remain true to the company’s roots, driven by a simple passion to bring both recognized and experimental names to a successive global customer base. Our team is energetic, open-minded, and appreciates how fashion can form part of a modern lifestyle. Our dynamism and focus have propelled PHIXERO into a major brand in China, Hong Kong, and new markets beyond.
Price & Availability:
Packaging and accessories
The PHIXERO P500 1TB is delivered in a standard cardboard made box. The design of this packaging is simple, with a bright green and white color combination. The front side of the box has as photo of the SSD alongside its main features listed on the lower part.
The back of the packaging offers the technical specifications of the SSD.
The protection offered by the internal packaging is average at best. The SSD is inside a classic clam shell tray that is made from thin plastic.
Specifications
Series: P500
Model: P500 1TB
Capacity: 1TB
Form Factor: SATA 2.5″
Interface: SATA 6.0Gb/s
Controller: Realtek RayMX RM1135
Flash Chips: Intel 144-layer QLC (PF29F04T2ANCQK1)
DRAM: N/A
Sequential Read: 550 MB/s
Sequential Write: 480 MB/s
Write Endurance: 300 TBW (total bytes written)
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 70°C
Warranty: 5 years
Visual inspection
The PHIXERO P500 1TB is a simple SATA SSD and thus its design is simple as well. In truth, there isn’t much you can do with a SATA SSD in terms of the design. Unless we are talking about adding RGB LEDs to the casing and some fancy graphics, all SSDs are the same.
What’s interesting to see here is that some cost cutting has been made with the case of this SSD. While many SATA SSDs have cases made from metal, the PHIXERO P500 1TB has a case made from plastic. It’s good quality plastic and it does work just fine as a case but it’s plastic and not metal.
The back side of the SSD has a simple paper label that has all the required information. The model number and part number of the SSD, and a QR code.
The P500 1TB uses the standard SATA 6.0Gb/s interface. With two connectors on the back of the casing, one for power and one for data transfer. This SATA interface makes the SSD backwards compatible with all devices that have the same connector set.
The disassembly of the SSD is simple as the casing is made from soft plastic. What you have to do is to pry open the back part of the casing and the entre SSD comes apart with ease.
The PCB of the P500 1TB is small as is the case for all modern SATA SSDs. The reason for keeping the case bigger than the PCB of the SSD is simple. The SSD must have the standard 2.5” form factor to fit inside notebooks and desktop systems.
The highlight of this SSD is the Realtek RayMX RM1135 controller. An unusual controller that is not often seen in the wild, especially on a SATA SSD.
The memory chips used are made by Intel and have the model number: PF29F04T2ANCQK1. These chips are 3D NAND as advertised and use the QLC technology.
Unfortunately, while many SATA SSDs will have a DRAM chip for the cache system and to increase performance, the P500 1TB does not have such a chip.
Testing
The following system was used to test the SSD and all competing SSDs:
– Processor: Intel i7 13700K @ 5.4GHz
– Motherboard: Biostar Z790 Valkyrie
– RAM: Neo Forza MDK5 DDR5 96GB 6000MHz
– Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Suprim X
– SSD: NeoForza NFP075 2TB
– HDD: N/A
– PSU: Seasonic Prime TX-1000
– CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240
– Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 White
– OS: Windows 10 64-Bit (After April Update)
To test the SSD, the following software was used:
– ATTO Disk Benchmark,
– CrystalDiskMark 8,
– Shadow of the Tomb Raider;
– Windows File Copy.
In order to obtain a precise result each test was performed three times.
CrystalDiskMark 8 – Read
CrystalDiskMark 8 – Write
ATTO Disk Benchmark Read
ATTO Disk Benchmark Write
Shadow of the Tomb Raider – Level Loading
File Copy Test 100GB
File Copy Test 50GB
Temperature
Final thoughts
The PHIXERO P500 1TB is a simple SSD that is affordable and offers a good performance for what it is, a SATA SSD. Comparing this type of SSD with M.2 SSDs or worse, PCIe 4.0 SSDs is wrong as these are part of an older technology.
With an average price of 55 USD, at least at the time of this review, the PHIXERO P500 1TB is good value for money, especially the 1TB and 2TB models. However, it is not cheap enough to be justified over more popular models, such as the Crucial MX500 and BX500.
An interesting thing with the PHIXERO P500 1TB is the usage of a Realtek RayMX RM1135 controller. Something which we rarely see, especially on SATA SSDs, yet here it is inside PHIXERO P500. While the controller does not inspire a lot of confidence, especially in terms of performance, the used QLC memory chips do. Made by Intel, these memory chips have been widely used even in M.2 SSDs with a good rate of success.
In terms of the performance, the SSD does deliver on its promise, you will get a stable 500mb/s when copying files on the drive and in most benchmarks. However, the lack of a DRAM cache chip is felt, and once the cache is filled, the speed will drop to around 200mb/s. These speeds are enough for general usage and even gaming but do not expect this SSD to compete with M.2 SSDs.
When we talk about the build quality, it’s all good on the outside and especially on the inside. The PCB of the SSD is good with adequate soldering across the board. The choice of components could have been better, especially since we are in no shortage of more reliable and affordable controllers, but the Realtek RayMX RM1135 seems to work just fine.
If there is a disadvantage with this drive, it has to be the low availability of all storage variants, especially the 1TB model we have in this review. If adequate stocks are kept, this SSD should be a good choice for an office system or a budget friendly gaming desktop or notebook.
In conclusion, the PHIXERO P500 1TB is an affordable SSD that offers a good performance for a SATA SSD. The 500mb/s reading and writing speeds make it ideal for a basic office system or a notebook. While not competing with an M.2 SSD, it does offer a decent performance for an honest price.
