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SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB specifications and in-depth review

SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB

Manufacturer: SK Hynix

The SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB is a high-performance NVMe SSD designed for users seeking fast storage solutions. With a capacity of 500GB, this M.2 drive offers impressive speed, featuring a sequential read speed of 5100 MB/s and a sequential write speed of up to 4600 MB/s, making it suitable for demanding applications and gaming setups.

This SSD utilizes the Phison PS5021-E21T controller and supports the NVMe 1.4 protocol. It also features a Host Memory Buffer (HMB) for enhanced performance, along with a PCIe 5 interface for fast data transfer. Rated with a TBW of 300, the SK Hynix Gold P42 is backed by a 5-year warranty, offering reliable performance for long-term use.

Pros
  • Sequential read speed of 5100 MB/s provides fast data access for large files and demanding applications.
  • Random read speed of 780,000 IOPS ensures quick response times for tasks that involve multiple small file accesses.
  • Utilizes HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology to enhance performance, improving overall responsiveness.
  • Supports NVMe 1.4 and PCIe 5.0, offering advanced data transfer capabilities for high-speed tasks.
  • Backed by a 5-year warranty, providing reliability and long-term assurance for users.
Cons
  • Does not feature an integrated heatsink, which may limit thermal management during extended high-performance usage.
  • Lacks RGB lighting, which may be a drawback for users seeking customizable aesthetics in their system build.
Who is this for?

The SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB is ideal for users seeking high-speed storage in tasks such as gaming, content creation, or heavy multitasking. With a sequential read speed of 5100 MB/s and random read speed of 780,000 IOPS, it provides fast and responsive access to large files and quick file transfers, making it well-suited for demanding applications. The drive's support for PCIe 5.0 and NVMe 1.4 also ensures that it meets the needs of those working with high-performance systems or future-proof setups.

Who is this NOT for?

This SSD may not be the best choice for users who require advanced thermal management in high-performance environments, as it lacks an integrated heatsink. Additionally, those seeking customizable aesthetics with RGB lighting will find the absence of this feature limiting. It also may not be ideal for very large storage needs, as it offers a total capacity of 500GB, which could be insufficient for users with extensive data storage requirements.

Read speed:

sequential read speed 5100 MB/s
random read speed 780000 IOPS

The SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB offers impressive read performance with a sequential read speed of 5100 MB/s, ensuring fast data transfer for demanding tasks. Additionally, its random read speed of 780,000 IOPS enhances responsiveness, making it well-suited for applications that require quick access to data across a wide range of file sizes.

Write speed:

sequential write speed 4600 MB/s
random write speed 920000 IOPS

The SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB delivers solid write performance with a sequential write speed of 4600 MB/s, providing fast data writing for intensive tasks. Additionally, the drive features an impressive random write speed of 920,000 IOPS, ensuring quick write access across varied file sizes and enhancing overall responsiveness during multitasking.

Benchmarks:

General info:

type M2
SSD cache HMB (Host Memory Buffer)
Is an NVMe SSD ✓
NVMe version 1.4
internal storage 500GB
release date May 2025
controller Phison PS5021-E21T
SSD storage type TLC
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
Controller channels 4
Terabytes Written (TBW) 300
warranty period 5 years
Has an integrated heatsink ✕
has RGB lighting ✕

The SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB is an M.2 NVMe SSD offering a total internal storage of 500GB. It features HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology for improved performance and uses a Phison PS5021-E21T controller for efficient data handling. With PCIe 5.0 support and NVMe version 1.4, this drive ensures fast data transfer speeds. Additionally, it has a TBW of 300, ensuring durability, and is backed by a 5-year warranty for long-term reliability.

Final Verdict

The SK Hynix Gold P42 500GB is a solid NVMe SSD offering fast sequential read speeds of 5100 MB/s and excellent random read performance, making it well-suited for high-demand applications such as gaming and content creation. With its support for PCIe 5.0 and NVMe 1.4, it delivers excellent speed and responsiveness. While it lacks an integrated heatsink and RGB lighting, these minor limitations do not overshadow its strong performance and reliability. Overall, the SK Hynix Gold P42 is a dependable choice for users seeking high-speed storage in a compact M.2 form factor.