SPECworkstation 3.0.2 Storage Benchmark
SPECworkstation benchmark is an excellent benchmark to test systems using workstation-type workloads. In this test, we only ran the Storage component, which is fifteen separate tests.
I am always amused at how different SPECworkstation results can be from drive to drive, and the UD90 2230 1TB does not turn in a single result where it is actually tied with the Lexar PLAY 1TB, despite being near identical drives. With that said, the conclusion for this drive is the same as it was for that one; middle of the pack performance, which is just fine in a drive like this.
Sustained Write Performance
This is not necessarily a benchmark so much as trying to catch the post-cache write speed of the drive. While I am filling the drive with data to the 85% mark with ten simultaneous write threads, I monitor the drive for the write performance to dip to the lowest steady point and grab a screenshot.
In another similarity to the Lexar PLAY, this drive exhibits the same ping-ponging performance between two different write speeds. In general, things were a little bit lower on the UD90, with stabilizing points around 200 MB/s and 790 MB/s, but the overall behavior was exceptionally similar. I have a second screenshot for you to demonstrate the higher speed that would be hit:
I once again picked a number between the two terminal write speeds, and I picked one just a hair lower than the PLAY to reflect the slightly slower settling points. Given the target audience of this drive, Steam Deck users and such, this result is more than acceptable even if the drive bottomed out at 200 MB/s and held there.
Temperatures
We monitored the idle and maximum temperature during testing with HWMonitor to get some idea of the thermal performance and requirements of the drive.
The UD90 2230 1TB can get pretty hot; mine reached 81C. Given that this drive is a 2230-sized drive, I also had to “MacGyver” a cooling solution, but I was able to get it working in one of my heatsinks. All benchmarks were performed with the heatsink mounted to keep temperatures under control. In an average gaming scenario, this drive is unlikely to hit such high temperatures, as it took a significant, sustained load to peak this high.
Final Words
The Silicon Power UD90 1TB is $77 at the time of this review. That price point represents a pretty significant discount versus some other 2230-sized drives out there. For example, the Lexar PLAY is $90, and the WD SN770M is $99, among others. Silicon Power drives tend to be inexpensive, and in this case, they are hitting a price point below their direct competitors while turning in similar performance. That is good news for buyers of drives like this.
Silicon Power has a pretty compelling product on its hands. The 2230 market is not particularly large, but they have one of the least expensive entries, and the performance is on point. Users who read my previous Silicon Power review may remember that I had difficulties getting ahold of SP’s warranty department; I did not try again for this drive, but sometimes, a tougher warranty process is part of the price you would pay for a more budget-oriented drive.
With all of that said, if you need a 2230-sized drive and want to spend as few dollars as possible, the Silicon Power UD90 2230 seems to fit that bill exactly. It is cheap and performant, and that is plenty for me.
