# Goodram IRDM Pro 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2026)

The Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB is a Polish-engineered PCIe 4.0 flagship that pairs the Phison E18 controller with 3D TLC NAND, hitting 7000 MB/s sequential reads with 3000 TBW endurance backed by a 5-year warranty.

Quick answer: Buy the Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB if you want flagship PCIe 4.0 performance with a premium heatsink included and do not want to pay Samsung or WD tax. The 3000 TBW endurance and Phison E18 internals make it a solid choice for PS5 expansion, game libraries, and creative workloads that require sustained write performance. Skip it if you need DRAM-less value or your laptop cannot fit the thick heatsink—consider the WD Black SN770 or Kingston NV2 instead. The IRDM Pro 4 TB earns its place as a capable alternative to established brands, especially for buyers who value bundled cooling and do not mind trading some brand recognition for savings. At its current positioning, the drive offers competitive specifications that match or exceed many tier-one flagships.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 4 TB |
| Interface | M.2 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Phison PS5018-E18 |
| Memory type | 3D TLC |
| DRAM cache | DRAM Buffer |
| Sequential read | 7000 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 6850 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 650000 |
| Random write IOPS | 700000 |
| Endurance | 3000 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

Rated at 7000 MB/s sequential reads and 6850 MB/s writes, the IRDM Pro 4 TB saturates the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface ceiling. Random 4K operations are specified at up to 650,000 IOPS read and 700,000 IOPS write, delivering snappy OS responsiveness and quick game load times. In real-world use, this translates to Windows boot times under 10 seconds and near-instant application launches compared to SATA SSDs.

The Phison E18 controller employs SLC caching to accelerate burst writes. Independent reviews show the IRDM Pro sustaining high write speeds for several dozen gigabytes before dropping to steady-state TLC write speeds—more than sufficient for typical gaming and productivity workloads. For large file transfers like 4K video exports or game installs, you will see the drive hit its advertised speeds consistently.

Compared to PCIe 3.0 drives like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus, the IRDM Pro 4 TB offers up to twice the sequential throughput. Gaming load times improve by 10–20% over SATA, though the real-world gains depend on whether the title is optimized for DirectStorage. For PS5 use, the drive meets Sony 5,500 MB/s+ read recommendation and fits within the console 110 × 25 × 11.25 mm heatsink envelope.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Goodram backs the IRDM Pro 4 TB with a 5-year warranty limited by the 3000 TBW endurance rating. TBW measures the total terabytes you can write before the warranty expires—at 3000 TBW, this drive handles over 8 TB of writes daily for five years. For typical users writing 50 GB per day, that translates to roughly 164 years of use, far exceeding the warranty period.

Endurance scales with capacity: the 1 TB model is rated 700 TBW, while 2 TB offers 1400 TBW. If you exceed the TBW threshold within five years, Goodram reserves the right to deny warranty claims. The drive lacks an official MTBF rating in public specifications, but the Phison E18 controller and 3D TLC NAND combination has proven reliability across multiple product lines. Warranty claims go through Goodram Polish support, so keep your proof of purchase if buying internationally.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- Phison E18 controller with 2 GB DDR4 DRAM buffer
- 7000 MB/s reads and 6850 MB/s writes
- 3000 TBW endurance on the 4 TB model
- 5-year warranty included
- Premium heatsink bundled at no extra cost
**Cons:**

- Thick heatsink may not fit all laptops or PS5 slim covers
- Write speeds scale down on 1 TB capacity (5500 MB/s)
- Less established brand recognition vs Samsung or WD


## Verdict

Buy the Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB if you want flagship PCIe 4.0 performance with a premium heatsink included and do not want to pay Samsung or WD tax. The 3000 TBW endurance and Phison E18 internals make it a solid choice for PS5 expansion, game libraries, and creative workloads that require sustained write performance. Skip it if you need DRAM-less value or your laptop cannot fit the thick heatsink—consider the WD Black SN770 or Kingston NV2 instead. The IRDM Pro 4 TB earns its place as a capable alternative to established brands, especially for buyers who value bundled cooling and do not mind trading some brand recognition for savings. At its current positioning, the drive offers competitive specifications that match or exceed many tier-one flagships.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB good for gaming?

Yes, the IRDM Pro 4 TB is excellent for gaming. The Phison E18 controller delivers 7000 MB/s sequential reads and strong random 4K performance, which reduces game load times and minimizes texture streaming stutter. Paired with a 3000 TBW endurance rating, this drive easily handles years of daily gaming sessions and large game installs.

### Is the Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB compatible with the PS5?

The IRDM Pro 4 TB meets Sony PS5 requirements: PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe interface and 7000 MB/s read speed exceeds the 5,500 MB/s recommendation. The included heatsink fits within the PS5 110 × 25 × 11.25 mm dimensions, though you should verify clearance if using a third-party slim cover. Sony does not officially list this model on their compatibility page, but it meets all published specs.

### Does the Goodram IRDM Pro have a DRAM cache?

Yes, the IRDM Pro 4 TB includes a DRAM buffer up to 2 GB DDR4. This DRAM cache stores the flash translation layer mapping tables, accelerating random access and maintaining consistent performance over time. DRAM-equipped drives like the IRDM Pro generally outperform DRAM-less HMB drives in sustained workloads and heavy multitasking.

### What is the TBW endurance of the Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB?

The 4 TB variant is rated for 3000 TBW terabytes written. Goodram specifies TBW values that scale with capacity: 1 TB at 700 TBW, 2 TB at 1400 TBW, and 4 TB at 3000 TBW. This endurance rating means you can write approximately 8.2 TB daily for five years before the warranty expires, which far exceeds typical consumer usage patterns.

### Does the Goodram IRDM Pro 4 TB need a heatsink?

The IRDM Pro 4 TB ships with an integrated heatsink, so you do not need to buy one separately. Phison E18 drives can run warm under sustained load, and the bundled cooler maintains thermal performance within safe limits. If your motherboard already has a built-in M.2 shield or you plan to use this in a laptop with tight height restrictions, the included heatsink may need to be removed—verify fitment before purchase.

### Is the 4 TB version faster than the 2 TB or 1 TB models?

Sequential read speeds are consistent across all capacities at 7000 MB/s, but write speeds scale with size. The 1 TB model writes at 5500 MB/s, while 2 TB and 4 TB variants both reach 6850 MB/s. Random 4K IOPS also differ: 1 TB offers 350,000 read IOPS, whereas 2 TB and 4 TB provide 650,000 read IOPS. Write IOPS are consistent at 700,000 across all capacities.

### How does the Goodram IRDM Pro compare to the Samsung 980 Pro?

Both drives use the Phison E18 controller platform and deliver nearly identical sequential performance: 7000 MB/s reads and 6850 MB/s writes. The IRDM Pro 4 TB matches the Samsung 980 Pro 4 TB on TBW at 3000, though Samsung offers separate heatsink and non-heatsink variants. The key differences are brand recognition and pricing—Goodram positions the IRDM Pro as a value alternative with comparable internals.

### Is the Goodram IRDM Pro good for video editing?

The IRDM Pro 4 TB is well-suited for video editing workflows. The 6850 MB/s write speed and 700,000 IOPS random write performance handle 4K footage scrubbing and export rendering efficiently. 4 TB capacity provides ample workspace for active projects, and the 3000 TBW endurance ensures the drive withstands heavy daily write cycles common in editing environments.

---

Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/goodram-irdm-pro-4-tb