# ADATA Falcon 1TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD Review (2026)

The ADATA Falcon 1TB is a budget NVMe SSD with a Realtek controller and Host Memory Buffer design, offering 3,100 MB/s reads at the largest commonly available capacity for the Falcon line.

Quick answer: The ADATA Falcon 1TB is a budget NVMe SSD that makes sense only at a meaningfully lower price than faster alternatives. The Samsung 980 1TB offers double the write speed (3,000 vs 1,500 MB/s) and higher reads (3,500 vs 3,100 MB/s) at a similar cost. The ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB adds DRAM and matches the 980's writes. Unless the Falcon is priced well below these alternatives, it is hard to recommend over them.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Realtek RTS5762D |
| Memory type | 3D TLC |
| DRAM cache | SLC Caching Host Memory Buffer |
| Sequential read | 3100 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 1500 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 180000 |
| Random write IOPS | 180000 |
| Endurance | 600 TBW |
| MTBF | 1.8 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

The Falcon 1TB is rated for 3,100 MB/s sequential reads and 1,500 MB/s sequential writes, with 180,000 random read and write IOPS. The 1 TB capacity provides a larger SLC write cache than the smaller models, which helps in sustained burst writes, but the underlying TLC write speed remains modest.

For read-heavy workloads like gaming, the 3,100 MB/s reads are adequate though below the PCIe 3.0 ceiling of 3,500 MB/s. Write-heavy tasks like game installations, large file transfers, and video encoding are where the 1,500 MB/s write limitation becomes noticeable. Independent reviewers found the Falcon competitive only on price, trailing most competitors in raw performance metrics.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

ADATA covers the Falcon with a five-year limited warranty. The drive's endurance rating varies by capacity. ADATA's SSD Toolbox software provides health monitoring and firmware updates. Warranty claims are processed through ADATA's support portal or the original retailer.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 3,100 MB/s sequential reads at budget pricing
- 1 TB capacity for OS, games, and applications
- Five-year warranty from ADATA
- Low power draw suits laptops
**Cons:**

- Only 1,500 MB/s sequential writes, well below average
- DRAM-less with HMB dependency
- Trails Samsung 980 and SX8200 Pro in every metric
- Realtek RTS5762D is a budget controller


## Verdict

The ADATA Falcon 1TB is a budget NVMe SSD that makes sense only at a meaningfully lower price than faster alternatives. The Samsung 980 1TB offers double the write speed (3,000 vs 1,500 MB/s) and higher reads (3,500 vs 3,100 MB/s) at a similar cost. The ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB adds DRAM and matches the 980's writes. Unless the Falcon is priced well below these alternatives, it is hard to recommend over them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the ADATA Falcon 1TB good for gaming?

The Falcon 1TB handles gaming reads at 3,100 MB/s, which is adequate for game load times on PCIe 3.0 systems. The 1,500 MB/s write speed is below average for NVMe, meaning game installations and large patches take longer than on faster drives like the Samsung 980. The 1 TB capacity holds the OS and a decent game library.

### Is the ADATA Falcon 1TB compatible with the PS5?

No, the PS5 requires a PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. The Falcon is a PCIe 3.0 drive and does not meet Sony's requirements for the expansion slot.

### How does the ADATA Falcon compare to the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro?

The SX8200 Pro uses a Silicon Motion SM2262EN controller with dedicated DRAM, while the Falcon uses a Realtek RTS5762D with HMB. The SX8200 Pro reads at 3,500 MB/s and writes at 3,000 MB/s, outperforming the Falcon's 3,100/1,500 MB/s in every metric. The SX8200 Pro costs more but offers substantially better performance and consistency.

### What is the TBW endurance of the ADATA Falcon 1TB?

ADATA provides a five-year warranty on the Falcon but the exact TBW per capacity should be confirmed on ADATA's product page, as endurance varies by capacity. The 1 TB model typically carries a rating consistent with other budget TLC drives at this capacity tier.

### Does the ADATA Falcon 1TB need a heatsink?

No heatsink is required. The Falcon uses a standard M.2 2280 form factor and the Realtek controller runs cool enough for motherboard M.2 shields to provide sufficient cooling. The PCIe 3.0 interface keeps power draw modest compared to PCIe 4.0 drives.

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Last updated: 2026-05-17. Source: https://ssdrive.net/adata-falcon-1-tb