HP FX900 256GB -- Budget PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD Review
The HP FX900 256 GB is the entry-level capacity in HP's mainstream PCIe 4.0 SSD line, built on the DRAM-less InnoGrit IG5220BAA controller for budget-conscious builds.
The standard FX900 (non-Pro) uses the InnoGrit IG5220BAA controller — a DRAM-less PCIe 4.0 design that relies on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) rather than onboard DRAM cache. The 256 GB variant is rated at 4,600 MB/s reads and 1,700 MB/s writes — well below the Pro variant's Gen4-ceiling speeds. Endurance is 100 TBW, backed by a five-year warranty. The capacity and throughput make this strictly an OS-and-essentials drive.
The FX900 256 GB targets budget desktop builds, light productivity, and entry-level gaming rigs where the priority is adequate boot storage at minimal cost. The HMB design keeps the price down but sacrifices sustained random I/O performance compared to DRAM-equipped drives. The single-sided PCB fits thin laptops.
✅ Storage Comparisons:
🚀 Performance and benchmarks
The 256 GB FX900 delivers 4,600/1,700 MB/s sequential reads and writes with up to 820,000/645,000 read/write IOPS. The HMB architecture provides adequate random I/O for light desktop use but transitions to native NAND speeds faster than DRAM-equipped drives under sustained writes. For OS boot and application launches, the experience is responsive.
HP FX 900 256 GB vs M.2 4.0 x 4 peers
Switch between sequential throughput and random IOPS to see how this drive stacks up against other M.2 4.0 x 4 SSDs in our database. The highlighted bar is the drive on this page — click any other bar to open that drive.
- PNY XLR8 CS3140 1 TB: 7,500 MB/s read, 5,650 MB/s write
- PNY XLR8 CS3140 2 TB: 7,500 MB/s read, 6,850 MB/s write
- Asgard AN4 512 GB: 7,500 MB/s read, 5,500 MB/s write
- Asgard AN4 1 TB: 7,500 MB/s read, 5,500 MB/s write
- HP FX 900 256 GB (this drive): 4,600 MB/s read, 1,700 MB/s write
🖥️ Endurance and warranty
HP covers the FX900 256 GB with a five-year warranty limited by 100 TBW, equivalent to roughly 55 GB/day over five years. The 512 GB model carries 200 TBW, 1 TB 400 TBW, and 2 TB reaches 800 TBW.
📊 Specs
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity [?] | 256 GB |
| Interface [?] | M.2 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller [?] | Innogrit IG5220BAA |
| Memory type [?] | MicronTLC |
| DRAM [?] | HMB |
| Read speed (MB/s) [?] | 4600 |
| Write speed (MB/s) [?] | 1700 |
| Read IOPS [?] | 820000 |
| Write IOPS [?] | 645000 |
| Endurance (TBW) [?] | 100 |
| MTBF (million hours) [?] | n/a |
| Warranty (years) [?] | 5 |
Conclusion
The 256 GB FX900 is a bare-bones budget PCIe 4.0 boot drive. Its 4,600/1,700 MB/s speeds are adequate for OS use but below what mid-range PCIe 4.0 drives deliver. The 100 TBW endurance is low — appropriate for light workloads only. At this capacity and price tier, the Kingston NV2 256 GB and WD Blue SN580 256 GB are direct competitors. Choose the FX900 if it is the cheapest option; otherwise, the WD Blue SN580 offers better sustained performance at similar pricing.
+ Pros
- 4,600 MB/s reads -- adequate for boot drive
- DRAM-less HMB design keeps price low
- Single-sided PCB -- thin-laptop compatible
- 5-year warranty
- Cons
- 1,700 MB/s writes -- well below mid-range
- 100 TBW endurance -- lowest in the lineup
- 256 GB tight for modern use
- No DRAM -- slower sustained random I/O
🛒 Buy this or similar SSD Storage:
✨ Video Review
SSD HP EX900 Pro 256GB 9XL75AA#ABB
