In an era where M.2 and PCIe SSDs dominate PC build with their blazing speeds, SATA SSDs still hold a valuable place for budget-conscious users and older systems. Enter TeamGroup’s Vulcan Z SATA SSD, a blend of performance and affordability.
The TeamGroup Vulcan Z SATA SSD, a 2.5″ SSD uses the 3D NAND technology known for good storage density and reliability, an intelligent SLC caching algorithm for fast read and write speeds, and S.M.A.R.T. technology for real-time drive health monitoring. With promised read speeds of up to 550 MB/s and write speeds up to 500 MB/s, this SATA-based SSD is marketed as a significant performance boost over traditional hard drives.
Available in six capacities ranging from 240 GB to 2 TB, the 1TB variant costs around PHP 3,695, the 512GB model is priced at PHP 1,995, and the 256GB model costs PHP 1,295.
Technical Specifications
Here are the detailed technical specifications of the TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD:
| Features | Specification |
| Model | T-FORCE Vulcan Z |
| Capacity | Up to 2 TB (240 GB, 480 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB) |
| TBW (Total Bytes Written) | Up to 1,600 TB (200TBW, 200TBW, 400TBW, 800TBW, and 1600TBW) |
| Interface | SATA Rev. 3.0 (6Gb/s) |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2258XT |
| NAND Flash | 3D NAND |
| Max Read Speed | 550 MB/s |
| Max Write Speed | 500 MB/s |
| DRAM Cache | None |
| Voltage | DC +5V |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C – 70°C |
| Vibration Resistance | 20 G (non-operating) |
| Dimensions | 100 x 69.9 x 7 mm |
| Weight | 45 g |
| MTBF | 1 million hours |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Packaging
The TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD comes in a sleek black and red package. The front showcases the SSD with key specifications.
While the back provides detailed information in multiple languages.
Inside, the SSD is securely placed in a clear plastic tray.
TeamGroup Vulcan Z SATA SSD
The TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD has a sleek and modern appearance, making it a visually appealing addition to any system. The front of the SSD features a stylish black design with subtle patterns and the T-FORCE logo prominently displayed in the center.
The back of the TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD is straightforward and functional. It features a large white label with essential information such as the model number, capacity, interface type, and regulatory certifications. The label also includes a QR code and barcodes for easy tracking and verification. The “3 YEARS WARRANTY” text is prominently displayed, assuring users of the product’s reliability. The connectors for the SATA interface are positioned on the left side, ensuring compatibility with standard SATA power and data cables. The overall design is simple yet practical, providing all necessary details while maintaining a clean appearance.
It has two mounting positions, the standard mounting screw for the back and the side as well.
Here is more a closer look of the other side.
Performance
To evaluate the performance of the TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD, we conducted a series of benchmark tests using a high-end gaming PC setup. Here are the system specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12-Core Processor (Stock Cooler)
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670 GAMING X AX Motherboard
- RAM: ADATA XPG Lancer RGB DDR5-6000MT/s 32GB (2x16GB)
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 3070 Founders Edition
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
We used several benchmark programs to test the SSD’s performance in various scenarios.
CrystalDiskMark Benchmark
The CrystalDiskMark benchmark measures the SSD’s read and write performance.
- Sequential Read: 553.98 MB/s
- Sequential Write: 522.64 MB/s
- Random Read (Q32T16): 331.71 MB/s
- Random Write (Q32T16): 384.47 MB/s
- Random Read (Q1T1): 39.49 MB/s
- Random Write (Q1T1): 117.28 MB/s
These results show strong sequential read and write speeds for a SATA SSD, almost topping the maximum speed of a SATA SSD, meeting the promised speed it offers.
AS SSD Benchmark
The AS SSD benchmark provides further insights into the SSD’s performance.
- Sequential Read: 506.20 MB/s
- Sequential Write: 472.40 MB/s
- 4K Random Read: 50.52 MB/s
- 4K Random Write: 103.57 MB/s
- 4K-64 Thread Read: 302.22 MB/s
- 4K-64 Thread Write: 161.07 MB/s
- Read Latency: 0.068 ms
- Write Latency: 0.116 ms
The SSD performs well in both sequential and random operations, with low access times contributing to a responsive system.
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test Results
The Blackmagic Disk Speed Test evaluates the SSD’s performance in video editing and multimedia tasks.
- Write Speed: 354.9 MB/s
- Read Speed: 488.0 MB/s
These speeds are sufficient for handling most video editing tasks, including working with high-definition video formats up to 12K resolution at 24fps.
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark
The PCMark 10 benchmark assesses overall performance in real-world scenarios.
- Storage Full Score: 638.0
- Overall Bandwidth: 107.80 MB/s
- Overall Access Time: 277.0 µs
PCMark 10 Data Drive Benchmark
The PCMark 10 Data Drive Benchmark measures the performance of the TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD in data-intensive tasks, simulating scenarios such as file transfers, data access, and multimedia handling.
- PCMark 10 Storage Data Score: 959.0
- Overall Bandwidth: 151.0 MB/s
- Overall Access Time: 172.0 µs
PCMark 10 Quick System Drive Benchmark Results
The PCMark 10 Quick System Drive Benchmark evaluates the performance of the TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD in common tasks, simulating a quick test of everyday activities.
- PCMark 10 Storage Quick Score: 827.0
- Overall Bandwidth: 105.90 MB/s
- Overall Access Time: 162.0 µs
Conclusion
The TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD is a standout choice for budget-conscious users, offering a blend of performance and affordability. With robust speeds, reliability, and a three-year warranty, it’s an excellent upgrade for older systems and those needing high-capacity storage without the cost of NVMe SSDs.
The Blackmagic Disk Speed Test confirmed its suitability for multimedia tasks, providing reliable performance for video editing and other creative applications up to 12K video at 24fps. The PCMark 10 benchmarks reinforced the SSD’s capability in real-world usage, data-heavy tasks and responsiveness in everyday activities.
Overall, the Vulcan Z is a solid investment for a wide range of applications. It offers a cost-effective price per gigabyte at PHP 3.69 and is backed by a three-year warranty, making it a versatile and reliable storage solution for enhancing any computing setup.