Computers
XPG Mars 980 Blade review: High-speed storage that finally makes sense
Fast, reliable, and no longer offensively expensive
A few years ago, adding high-speed storage to your PS5 or gaming rig meant coughing up a small fortune — sometimes nearly half the price of the console itself. Back then, PCIe Gen4 NVMe drives were bleeding-edge tech, and prices reflected that. But now that the dust has settled, more affordable options are emerging without compromising performance. One of those options is the XPG Mars 980 Blade, and it’s a drive that gets the job done without the unnecessary frills.
We tested the 980 Blade primarily as a PS5 storage expansion, and the experience was so seamless, it was almost forgettable — in the best way. Games launched quickly, performance remained stable, and the system treated it as if it were native storage. That’s a high compliment for any aftermarket SSD.
But beyond raw performance, what makes the Mars 980 Blade stand out is how reasonably priced it is. The 1TB model goes for $135 USD, while the 2TB version has an SRP of $205 USD. That’s a far cry from the $400+ Gen4 SSD we purchased just a year into the PS5’s life cycle. In many ways, this is the drive we wished we had back then.
Designed to disappear (in a good way)
The Mars 980 Blade isn’t flashy, and that’s part of its appeal. There’s no RGB, no oversized heat pipes, and no branding overload. Instead, you get a low-profile aluminum heatsink that makes it compatible with the PS5’s expansion slot — no modification required. It slid in easily and was recognized by the system almost instantly. The included heatsink keeps things cool enough without getting in the way, which also makes it a strong contender for slim laptops or handhelds.
There’s something refreshing about a component that’s meant to be installed once and forgotten. The Mars 980 Blade leans into that philosophy — performance where it matters, no extra distractions.
Real-World PS5 Use
The real test was daily usage. I moved a few of my heavier titles — including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Spider-Man 2 — from the PS5’s internal SSD onto the Mars 980 Blade. The result? No noticeable difference in performance. Boot times, in-game loading, and texture streaming all felt identical.
This is what makes the Mars 980 Blade a smart buy. You don’t have to sacrifice performance for price. And if you’ve been juggling which games to keep installed, this SSD becomes an easy way to expand your library without babysitting your storage every week.
It also helps that the Mars 980 Blade supports sequential read speeds of up to 7400 MB/s — more than enough to meet Sony’s requirements for PS5-compatible drives. And for those who care about durability, XPG uses TLC NAND, which typically offers better endurance and sustained speed than cheaper QLC-based alternatives.
What about Gaming Laptops and Handhelds?
While we focused our testing on the PS5, it’s not hard to project how this SSD will perform on modern gaming laptops and handhelds like the Legion Go 7 Gen9. With its PCIe Gen4 x4 interface and slim thermal profile, the Mars 980 Blade should integrate seamlessly into most M.2 slots — even in space-constrained builds.
Games installed on internal NVMe drives typically launch faster, stream assets more smoothly, and reduce system hiccups, especially in open-world or live-service titles. That’s exactly where the Mars 980 Blade fits in. Whether you’re booting into Windows or loading up a massive game like Starfield or Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll benefit from the fast sequential speeds and consistent write performance.
Plus, unlike relying on microSD cards or external drives, having a fast internal Gen4 SSD means you’re getting the full performance potential of your hardware. For power users who multitask with game capture, editing, or large file transfers, the Mars 980 Blade should hold its own.
Price vs Performance: A turning point
Let’s talk value — because that’s where this drive really shines. When the PS5 launched, the earliest compatible SSDs often sold for well over $300 to $400 USD, especially if you wanted 2TB with a heatsink. Now, we’re finally seeing drives like the Mars 980 Blade deliver that same tier of performance at nearly half the cost.
At $205 USD for 2TB, this drive undercuts many premium-branded options while offering the same Gen4 speed, excellent thermal control, and broad compatibility. You’re not paying for flashy marketing — just solid performance. For comparison, popular alternatives like the WD_BLACK SN850X or Samsung 980 Pro may come with slightly faster random read/write speeds or longer warranties, but for everyday gaming use, the difference is marginal at best.
The Mars 980 Blade hits a practical sweet spot for gamers who just want more room to play — whether they’re on a console, laptop, or handheld.
Is the XPG Mars 980 Blade your storage expansion Match?
The XPG Mars 980 Blade isn’t trying to reinvent storage. Instead, it focuses on what matters: delivering fast, stable performance at a price that makes sense in 2025. Whether you’re upgrading your PS5 or adding more muscle to a handheld gaming PC, this drive holds its own.
It may not come with flashy extras or aggressive marketing claims, but it doesn’t need to. It performs exactly how you want it to — and at a price that doesn’t feel like a punch to the gut.
The XPG Mars 980 Blade is one of the best-value Gen4 SSDs for console and PC gamers who just want to play more — and worry less.
Buy the XPG Mars 980 Blade here.
In the annual BLACK FRIDAY SALE, we’ve compiled and rounded-up our best picks with the best value you can get right now!
🧹 Get 50% off Dreame X50 Ultra on Amazon or click here on their website | Use code SAKITECH15 (5% off ’til Dec 1)
💧 Stay hydrated and get up to 30% off on the LARQ PureVis 2 here.
💡 Level up with Govee TV Backlight T2 or Govee Sync Box AI Kit 2.
> Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch
Computers
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 SSD adds 8TB storage capacity option
Largest capacity option yet for high-power uses
Kingston FURY has added an 8192GB full capacity option for the Kingston FURY Renegade G5 line. This is ideal for high-power uses, such as video editing, 3D rendering, gaming, and more.
Optimized for heavy workflows and gaming needs, the PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen5 x 4 controller and 3D TLC NAND.
It can reach speeds of up to 14,800/14,000MB/s (read/write) and over 2M IOPS. This way, it can provide extreme performance and endurance.
And with an 8TB option, users can now store more of their favorite games and media without losing system responsiveness. Other scenarios include 4K/8K video editing.
The Kingston FURY Renegade G5 lineup has capacities available from 1TB to 8TB. All options come with a limited five-year warranty, plus free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability.
Like the Renegade G5’s other storage capacities, the 8TB SSD is compatible with many popular motherboards.
Enthusiasts looking at custom builds can rely on the lineup. And by now, popular PC brands already have motherboards with PCIe 5.0 support.
Kingston’s future-ready storage and RAM offerings were displayed previously at COMPUTEX 2025.
These AI-ready solutions support robots, AI PCs, and AI servers, delivering benefits in public safety, data security, and production line efficiency.
Apple has introduced the upgraded Apple Vision Pro, now powered by the M5 chipand equipped with the Dual Knit Band for improved comfort.
This latest version delivers faster performance, sharper display rendering, longer battery life, and new experiences through visionOS 26, which introduces widgets, updated Personas, and new Apple Intelligence features with expanded language support.
M5 chip brings faster AI and sharper visuals
The M5 chip, built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology, introduces a 10-core CPU and GPU that boost performance across the system. Apps launch faster, web browsing feels more responsive, and visuals appear sharper with 10% more pixels rendered on Vision Pro’s micro-OLED displays.
The new GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. It brings lifelike lighting and reflections to games like Control. Vision Pro now supports refresh rates up to 120Hz. It reduces motion blur and delivering smoother experiences for Mac Virtual Display users.
The high-performance battery extends use to 2.5 hours of general activity or 3 hours of video playback on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI-powered tasks up to 2x faster than before. Developers can now use Apple’s Foundation Models framework to create smarter on-device AI experiences.
Dual Knit Band offers improved comfort
Apple introduces a redesigned Dual Knit Band, crafted from 3D-knitted fabric for a more cushioned and balanced fit. It uses flexible ribs embedded with tungsten inserts for counterweight and stability, while the dual-function Fit Dial enables fine-tuned adjustments.
The Dual Knit Band is available in three sizes (S, M, L), sold separately, and compatible with previous Vision Pro models. Users can find their best fit through the Apple Store app for iPhone.
visionOS 26 expands spatial experiences
With visionOS 26, Vision Pro adds immersive new ways to work and play. Widgets can now stay anchored in your space, Personas look more natural in FaceTime, and spatial photos use AI to add realistic depth.
Vision Pro also supports 180° and 360° video playback from Canon, Insta360, and GoPro. This lets creators and users relive footage the way it was captured. Later this year, the Vision Pro app for iPad will launch. It will give users another way to browse and manage spatial content.
Expanding apps, games, and immersive content
Vision Pro users can explore over 1 million apps, with 3,000+ made specifically for visionOS. Lifestyle and design apps like HomeByMe, Balenciaga, and Christie’s Select join entertainment titles like Epic Earth and Space Vision.
Apple Immersive continues to push storytelling boundaries with new titles from Audi F1 Project, BBC, HYBE, and Red Bull. There are also 3D movie hits like Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked on the Apple TV app.
Gaming also levels up with support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. It unlocks tactile gameplay with six degrees of freedom and haptic feedback.
Built for creators and professionals
Pro users can use Vision Pro for advanced workflows — from 3D design and photography to film production and live collaboration. The new Logitech Muse stylus offers pixel-level precision in apps like Crayon and Sketch Pro. Enterprises such as CAE, Porsche, and UC San Diego Health are already adopting Vision Pro to power simulation, visualization, and healthcare innovation.
Pricing and availability
The upgraded Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band starts at SGD 4,999, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.
Pre-orders in Singapore begin October 17, with availability in Apple Stores starting October 22.
The Dual Knit Band can be purchased separately for SGD 149, the Vision Pro Travel Case for SGD 299, and ZEISS Optical Inserts for SGD 149 (Readers) or SGD 219 (Prescription). The Logitech Muse stylus is priced at SGD 179 and will be available alongside the new Vision Pro.
Customers can book demos online, featuring the new Vision Pro and its latest features, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, and new Apple Immersive experiences like Tour De Force and MotoGP.
Antigravity A1 review: A new way to fly
Effortless cinematic flight made simple
Razer Raiju V3 Pro review
Competitive controller that knows exactly who it’s built for
Shokz OpenFit 2+ review: A love letter to an ultramarathoner
What open-ear freedom feels like when you are chasing a comeback
Screen-free wearable band Polar Loop launches
Maya Savings, Personal Goals, more: How to make your bonus work for you
OPPO Find X9 now available through Smart Postpaid, Infinity
Google Year in Search 2025: NBA Finals, Halalan, Dionela, Alex Eala, more
Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines
-
Reviews2 weeks agoPOCO F8 Pro review: Lightweight, heavy hitter
-
News2 weeks agoPOCO F8 Series: Price, availability in PH
-
Reviews2 weeks agovivo X300 review: The point-and-shoot I’ll always carry
-
Reviews1 week agovivo X300 Pro review: Going the X-tra Mile
-
Reviews2 weeks agoPOCO Pad X1 review: A tablet that keeps up with your day
-
Drones2 weeks agoDJI Neo 2 review: Fly without fear
-
Reviews2 weeks agoPOCO F8 Ultra review: An Achievable aspirational all-rounder
-
News1 week agoHUAWEI nova 14 Series, MatePad 12 X (2026) now in PH