The battle for top-tier storage performance is intensifying as Kingston FURY throws its hat into the PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSD arena with the launch of their Renegade G5. Just days after SanDisk unveiled their WD_BLACK SN8100, a drive we highlighted in our article, “Gen5 SSD Wars Heat Up: SanDisk WD_BLACK SN8100 Promises 2x Speed Over Gen4“, Kingston FURY is staking its claim for the speed crown, targeting gamers and high-power users demanding the absolute maximum from their systems.
The Kingston FURY Renegade G5 arrives boasting equally impressive specifications, leveraging the latest PCIe Gen5 x4 controller and 3D TLC NAND to achieve blistering read/write speeds of up to 14,800/14,000MB/s and over 2 million IOPS. These numbers put it squarely in the same high-performance category as the recently announced SanDisk WD_BLACK SN8100, which quoted speeds up to 14,900 MB/s read. As we noted in our initial analysis of the SN8100, this new generation of SSDs promises to significantly reduce load times and eliminate storage bottlenecks, a crucial factor for immersive high-intensity gaming, seamless 8K video editing, and handling data-heavy workflows.
Kingston FURY emphasizes that the Renegade G5 is specifically optimized for performance PCs and workstations. This focus aligns with the core appeal of Gen5 SSDs – unlocking the full potential of high-end systems. As we discussed in our review of the first Gen5 contender we tested, the Corsair MP700 Pro, the raw speed of these drives is undeniable, but the overall ecosystem and software optimization will play a significant role in realizing their full potential.
Interestingly, Kingston FURY is also highlighting the engineering behind the Renegade G5’s smooth operation and efficiency. The drive utilizes the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller based on a 6nm lithography process and features a low-power DDR4 DRAM cache. These design choices aim to reduce heat generation and energy consumption, which are important considerations for high-performance NVMe drives operating at these extreme speeds. This echoes SanDisk’s claims of improved power efficiency with their SN8100.
“We’re eager to announce this addition to the Kingston FURY family of high-performance solutions,” said Kingston in their press release. “Between the power of Kingston FURY Renegade G5 SSD and Kingston FURY memory, high-power users and hardware enthusiasts can create their ultimate system.” This statement underscores the synergy Kingston aims to create within its high-performance product ecosystem.
The Kingston FURY Renegade G5 will be available in 1024GB, 2048GB, and 4096GB capacities, offering a range of options for different storage needs. It’s also backed by a limited five-year warranty and Kingston’s established reliability.
Key Features at a Glance:
- Extreme Gen5 Speeds: Up to 14,800/14,000MB/s read/write and up to 2.2 million IOPS.
- Advanced Thermal Design: Silicon Motion SM2508 controller (6nm), low-power DDR4 DRAM cache, independent Buck IC, and a 12-layer PCB for enhanced signal quality.
- Seamless Integration: Standard M.2 2280 form factor with backward compatibility for PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 systems (though performance will be limited).
- Maximized Capacity: Up to 4096GB to accommodate large game libraries and media.
- DirectStorage Support: Ready for the latest gaming advancements.
The arrival of the Kingston FURY Renegade G5 further solidifies the emergence of the Gen5 SSD era. With read and write speeds on par with the recently announced SanDisk WD_BLACK SN8100, the competition in this high-end storage segment is clearly heating up. As more Gen5 drives become available, the focus will likely shift to real-world performance, pricing, and the overall value proposition for consumers looking to embrace this next level of storage speed. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how these contenders stack up as we get the opportunity to test them.
