Goodram IRDM Ultimate 480GB — Highest Capacity IRDM NVMe SSD
The Goodram IRDM Ultimate 480GB is the top-capacity model in Goodram's IRDM Ultimate PCIe 3.0 NVMe lineup, combining the Phison E7 controller with Toshiba MLC NAND and a 5-year warranty for users who need reliable, high-endurance NVMe storage.
The Goodram IRDM Ultimate 480GB uses the Phison PS5007-E7 controller with Toshiba MLC (2-bit per cell) NAND and Nanya DDR3L DRAM. It is a PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe drive in the M.2 2280 form factor. At 480GB, it is the largest capacity in the IRDM Ultimate lineup, offering enough space for a full Windows installation, applications, and a moderate game library.
The IRDM Ultimate is available in 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB capacities. The 480GB model is the most practical for standalone use, eliminating the need for a separate data drive in many builds. The Phison E7 controller provides a proven feature set: end-to-end data path protection with CRC/ECC, SmartECC for reconstructing faulty pages, SmartFlush for power-loss data protection, AES-256 hardware encryption, and L1.2 low-power mode for laptop efficiency.
Toshiba MLC NAND is the key differentiator versus modern TLC budget drives. MLC stores 2 bits per cell versus TLC's 3, resulting in faster program times, lower write amplification, and higher endurance. The trade-off is lower density, which is why the 480GB model is double-sided. The Nanya DDR3L DRAM cache ensures consistent random I/O performance.
Goodram backs the IRDM Ultimate with a 5-year warranty — matching the best in the industry and significantly better than the 3-year warranty on Goodram's own PX500 lineup. The drive is rated for 2 million hours MTBF. No TBW endurance rating is published.
Key rivals include the Samsung 960 EVO 500GB (similar era, TLC, 3-year warranty, 200 TBW), the WD Black SN750 500GB (newer, faster, 5-year warranty), and the MyDigitalSSD BPX 480GB (nearly identical E7+MLC platform, 5-year warranty, 1,400 TBW). The IRDM Ultimate's 5-year warranty and MLC NAND make it a strong endurance contender.
✅ Storage Comparisons:
🚀 Performance and benchmarks
Goodram rates the IRDM Ultimate 480GB at up to 2,900 MB/s sequential reads and 2,200 MB/s sequential writes, with random performance up to 235,000 read IOPS and 270,000 write IOPS. These ratings are consistent across all IRDM Ultimate capacities, as the controller and NAND configuration are the same.
Goodram IRDM Ultimate 480 GB vs PCIe 3.0 x 4 peers
Switch between sequential throughput and random IOPS to see how this drive stacks up against other PCIe 3.0 x 4 SSDs in our database. The highlighted bar is the drive on this page — click any other bar to open that drive.
- Asura Genesis Xtreme 256 GB: 3,400 MB/s read, 3,000 MB/s write
- Asura Genesis Xtreme 512 GB: 3,400 MB/s read, 3,000 MB/s write
- Asura Genesis Xtreme 1 TB: 3,400 MB/s read, 3,000 MB/s write
- Asura Genesis Xtreme 2 TB: 3,400 MB/s read, 3,000 MB/s write
- Goodram IRDM Ultimate 480 GB (this drive): 2,900 MB/s read, 2,200 MB/s write
The Phison E7 controller's dynamic SLC cache absorbs burst writes effectively. With MLC NAND, the sustained-write performance after cache exhaustion is more consistent than TLC alternatives, as MLC cells program faster and with less voltage stress. The DRAM cache ensures low-latency random reads, making the drive feel responsive for OS boot, application launches, and game loading.
At 480GB, the drive has enough SLC cache headroom to handle typical consumer and light prosumer workloads without exhausting the cache during normal use. The E7 controller supports L1.2 low-power mode drawing under 5 mW, making it viable for laptop use despite the double-sided PCB.
🖥️ Endurance and warranty
Goodram backs the IRDM Ultimate 480GB with a 5-year limited warranty. The drive is rated for 2 million hours MTBF. The 5-year warranty is a key strength, matching the industry best and providing significantly longer coverage than the 3-year warranty on Goodram's PX500 lineup. No TBW endurance rating is published, but the MLC NAND provides inherently higher endurance than TLC-based alternatives — the nearly identical MyDigitalSSD BPX 480GB is rated at 1,400 TBW.
📊 Specs
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity [?] | 480 GB |
| Interface [?] | PCIe 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller [?] | Phison PS5007-E7 |
| Memory type [?] | Toshiba MLC |
| DRAM [?] | Nanya 256 - 512 DDR3L |
| Read speed (MB/s) [?] | 2900 |
| Write speed (MB/s) [?] | 2200 |
| Read IOPS [?] | 235000 |
| Write IOPS [?] | 270000 |
| Endurance (TBW) [?] | n/a |
| MTBF (million hours) [?] | 2 |
| Warranty (years) [?] | 5 |
Conclusion
The Goodram IRDM Ultimate 480GB is the best all-around variant in the IRDM Ultimate lineup, offering the most practical capacity with MLC NAND durability and a 5-year warranty. It is a good fit for users who want a reliable, long-lasting NVMe drive and are willing to accept PCIe 3.0 speeds. For users who need faster sequential performance, the WD Black SN750 500GB or Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB are better options. For users who value endurance and warranty length, the IRDM Ultimate 480GB is a strong choice.
+ Pros
- Toshiba MLC NAND — higher endurance than TLC
- 5-year warranty
- Phison E7 controller with DRAM cache
- 480GB practical standalone capacity
- AES-256 encryption and end-to-end data protection
- L1.2 low-power mode
- Cons
- PCIe 3.0 — slower than PCIe 4.0 alternatives
- No published TBW endurance rating
- Double-sided PCB — may not fit ultrabooks
- Limited regional availability
- Older Phison E7 platform
🛒 Buy this or similar SSD Storage:
✨ Video Review
Goodram PCIe 4 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB IRDM Ultimate X
