# HP FX700 512GB: the entry capacity, and slower for it (2026)

The HP FX700 512GB is the entry capacity in HP's QLC PCIe 4.0 lineup, trading noticeably slower writes than its 1TB and larger siblings for a lower price and a genuine 5-year warranty.

Quick answer: The HP FX700 512GB suits budget builders who want a boot drive or light gaming setup and don't need the FX700 line's headline speed, since that 7,200/6,200 MB/s figure only applies to the 1TB and larger capacities. It's a weaker choice for anyone expecting the marketed flagship speed, or for buyers doing frequent large file transfers, where the 3,100 MB/s write ceiling and smaller SLC cache show up quickly. Buyers who specifically want the FX700's full rated performance should step up to the 1TB model instead. Overall, the 512GB FX700 is a reasonable budget pick backed by a strong 5-year warranty, provided expectations are set by its actual, capacity-specific numbers.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 512 GB |
| Interface | M.2 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Maxio MAP1602A-F3C 4 Channel |
| Memory type | YMTC 232-L QLC |
| DRAM cache | No |
| Sequential read | 6300 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 3100 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 567000 |
| Random write IOPS | 586000 |
| Endurance | 200 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

HP rates the FX700 512GB at up to 6,300 MB/s sequential reads and 3,100 MB/s sequential writes over PCIe 4.0 x4 - both notably lower than the 7,200/6,200 MB/s figures often quoted for the FX700 line, which apply only to the 1TB and larger capacities. Random IOPS remain strong for the segment at 567,000 reads and 586,000 writes per HP's datasheet, so everyday responsiveness holds up better than the sequential write number alone would suggest.

As a QLC, DRAM-less drive, the 512GB FX700 leans on an SLC write cache that's smaller in absolute terms than on the larger capacities, so it fills sooner during a sustained transfer and write speed drops toward the lower native ceiling more quickly. For a boot drive, light gaming, and general desktop use this is rarely noticeable, but buyers planning frequent large file transfers should budget for the 1TB model instead, where both the sequential and cache-exhaustion numbers are considerably better.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

HP rates the FX700 512GB at 200 TBW of total write endurance, backed by a 5-year limited warranty according to the official specification sheet. At a typical 20-50 GB of writes per day, that endurance budget lasts roughly 11 to 27 years before hitting the rated limit, comfortably beyond the drive's realistic service life even at half the larger capacities' rated TBW. The MTBF rating is 2,000,000 hours, a statistical reliability figure describing failure rates across a large population of drives rather than a promise for any individual unit.

The 5-year warranty term matches the rest of the FX700 line and is a genuine strength for a budget QLC drive at this capacity, regardless of the lower sequential write speed.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 6,300 MB/s sequential reads on PCIe 4.0
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
- Single-sided design with included graphene thermal pad
- Strong random IOPS relative to its sequential speed
**Cons:**

- Write speed drops to 3,100 MB/s, well below larger FX700 capacities
- QLC NAND has lower per-cell endurance than TLC
- DRAM-less design relies on Host Memory Buffer
- Smaller SLC cache exhausts sooner on large transfers


## Verdict

The HP FX700 512GB suits budget builders who want a boot drive or light gaming setup and don't need the FX700 line's headline speed, since that 7,200/6,200 MB/s figure only applies to the 1TB and larger capacities. It's a weaker choice for anyone expecting the marketed flagship speed, or for buyers doing frequent large file transfers, where the 3,100 MB/s write ceiling and smaller SLC cache show up quickly. Buyers who specifically want the FX700's full rated performance should step up to the 1TB model instead. Overall, the 512GB FX700 is a reasonable budget pick backed by a strong 5-year warranty, provided expectations are set by its actual, capacity-specific numbers.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the HP FX700 512GB good for gaming?

For a boot drive or a single-game focus, yes - its random IOPS remain strong and load times are noticeably faster than SATA. For a large, actively-updated game library the smaller capacity and lower 3,100 MB/s write speed compared to larger FX700 models make it a weaker fit than the 1TB version.

### Is the HP FX700 512GB compatible with the PS5?

Yes - its 6,300 MB/s rated sequential read still comfortably clears Sony's suggested 5,500 MB/s minimum for PS5 expansion storage, and its single-sided M.2 2280 form factor with an included thermal pad fits the console's internal slot without clearance issues. Buyers wanting more headroom for a large PS5 game library may prefer the 1TB or 2TB FX700 instead.

### Does the HP FX700 have a DRAM cache?

No, the FX700 is a DRAM-less design across all capacities, relying on an SLC write cache instead of a dedicated DRAM chip. At 512GB that cache is smaller in absolute terms than on the 1TB and larger models, so it empties sooner during a large sustained write than it would on a bigger FX700.

### What is the TBW endurance and warranty of the HP FX700 512GB?

HP rates the 512GB FX700 at 200 TBW (terabytes written) backed by a 5-year limited warranty, half the 400 TBW rating of the 1TB model but under the same warranty term. At a typical 20-50 GB of writes per day, that budget lasts roughly 11 to 27 years before reaching the rated limit.

### Does the HP FX700 512GB need a heatsink?

HP already includes a 0.5mm graphene thermal pad on the drive, which is enough for laptops, the PS5, and typical desktop use at this capacity's lower rated speeds. An additional motherboard M.2 heatsink is not necessary for normal day-to-day operation given the reduced thermal load at this write speed.

### How does the HP FX700 512GB compare to the 1TB FX700?

The 512GB model is meaningfully slower - 6,300/3,100 MB/s versus 7,200/6,200 MB/s on the 1TB - because HP's marketed flagship speed only applies from 1TB up. TBW endurance is also lower at 200 versus 400 TBW, though both share the same 5-year warranty. Buyers who care about the FX700's full rated performance should budget for the 1TB capacity.

### Is the HP FX700 512GB a good boot drive?

Yes - for a Windows boot drive or a single actively-used application, its strong random IOPS matter more than its lower sequential write speed, and 512GB is enough room for an OS plus a handful of applications. It's a less ideal choice as a combined boot-and-game drive given the reduced write speed compared to larger FX700 capacities.

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Last updated: 2026-08-17. Source: https://ssdrive.net/hp-fx700-512-gb