Kioxia XG8 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD Review

Kioxia XG8 2TB Performance Testing

We test using both the default smaller test size as well as larger test sets on our benchmarks. This allows us to see the difference between lighter and heavier workloads.

CrystalDiskMark x64

CrystalDiskMark is used as a basic starting point for benchmarks as it is something commonly run by end-users as a sanity check.

The Kioxia XG8 2TB gets pretty close to its rated speeds, only falling short by a small amount on the sequential write performance. In relative terms, the XG8 falls slightly behind the top-end SSDs like the Rocket 4 Plus and FireCuda 530, but only by a small amount. One thing to keep in mind is that most of our testing sample set is using 1TB drives and the XG8 is 2TB, conferring it a small advantage. I do have a full set of benchmarks on a Rocket 4 Plus 2TB and FX900 Pro 2TB, so those will provide the best direct comparison points.

Performance improves on the larger CrystalDiskMark test. The XG8 is now matching its rated write sequential write speed, and the read speed continues to slightly outperform its own ratings. Relative standings have not changed versus the smaller CDM test; the XG8 is just a small step behind our fastest drives.

ATTO Disk Benchmark

The ATTO Disk Benchmark has been a staple of drive sequential performance testing for years. ATTO was tested at both 256MB and 8GB file sizes.

Most drive perform slightly slower in ATTO than in CrystalDiskMark, and the XG8 is no different. In terms of relative performance, the XG8 continues to clock in slightly behind the leaders of the performance pack.

Much like CrystalDiskMark, the larger ATTO favors the XG8 with performance results improving slightly.

Anvil’s Storage Utilities

Anvil’s Storage Utilities is a comprehensive benchmark that gives us a very in-depth look at the performance of drives tested. This benchmark was run with both a 1GB and 8GB test size.

In Anvil, the Kioxia XG8 2TB puts on a show and snags the top of the chart for read score. Write score is also good, though once again behind the pack leaders.

Kioxia XG8 2TB Anvil 8GB

In the larger Anvil test, the XG8 stumbles a bit relative to some of the other drives on this chart. Read score falls from chart-topping to sixth position, though write score holds relatively steady.

AS SSD Benchmark

AS SSD Benchmark is another good benchmark for testing SSDs. We run all three tests for our series. Like other utilities, it was run with both the default 1GB as well as a larger 10GB test set.

AS SSD finds the XG8 occupying a now-familiar 5th position spot on my chart. Read score is very nearly in line with the best drives I have tested, though write score lags behind more significantly in AS SSD than in other tests.

Unfortunately, the XG8 takes a good-sized hit in AS SSD’s larger test. Read score takes a small hit and is still mostly fine, but the write score falls even further behind compared to the other drives in my set.

SPECworkstation, thermals, and our conclusion are up next.