The Fanxiang 4TB SATA III SSD (S101Q) is an affordable, high-capacity solid-state drive designed for laptops and desktops. Featuring a SATA 6Gb/s interface, read speeds of up to 550MB/s, and a massive 4TB storage capacity, this SSD serves as a strong alternative to traditional hard drives (HDDs). For users looking for fast, reliable, and budget-friendly storage, the Fanxiang S101Q offers an attractive solution.
However, how does it compare to premium SATA SSDs? Is SATA III a performance bottleneck compared to NVMe SSDs? And is it a good long-term investment?
In this detailed review, we’ll explore:
✅ Key Specifications
✅ Performance vs. Other SATA & NVMe SSDs
✅ Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Lifespan & Durability Analysis
✅ Best Use Cases & Maintenance Tips
✅ Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying?
📊 Fanxiang 4TB SSD (S101Q) – Key Specifications
Feature | Specification
🔌 Interface | SATA III (6Gb/s)
💾 Capacity | 4TB
📖 Read Speed | Up to 550MB/s
📝 Write Speed | Up to 450MB/s
🧠 NAND Type | 3D NAND TLC
⚡ Cache | SLC Cache (No DRAM Cache)
💻 Compatibility | Laptops, Desktops, External Use (with SATA enclosure), NAS
⏳ Average Lifespan | 1.5M hours MTBF
🚀 Performance: Is SATA III a Bottleneck?
The Fanxiang 4TB S101Q SSD utilizes the SATA III interface, which has a theoretical speed limit of 600MB/s. While the SSD achieves up to 550MB/s read speeds, it is significantly slower than NVMe SSDs, which can reach 3,500MB/s or more.
🔹 Why SATA SSDs Are Still Useful?
✔ Much faster than HDDs (~100MB/s vs. 550MB/s)
✔ Compatible with older PCs & laptops that lack NVMe slots
✔ More affordable compared to NVMe SSDs
✔ Great for high-capacity storage without excessive costs
💡 When Should You Choose NVMe Instead?
If you need high-speed gaming, video editing, or professional workloads, an NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0 or 5.0) is a much better option due to its superior speed and lower latency.
⚖️ Strengths & Weaknesses of the Fanxiang 4TB SATA SSD
✅ Strengths
✔ High Capacity (4TB) – Ideal for large file storage, games, and backups.
✔ Good Read Speeds (550MB/s) – A significant upgrade over HDDs.
✔ Affordable Price – Cheaper than Samsung, Crucial, or WD alternatives.
✔ Uses 3D NAND TLC – A reliable storage type for SSDs.
✔ SLC Cache – Enhances burst performance for smaller files.
✔ Wide Compatibility – Works with most PCs, laptops, and even PS4/PS5 (external use).
❌ Weaknesses
❌ Slower than NVMe SSDs – Limited by the SATA interface.
❌ Lower Write Speeds (~450MB/s) – Not ideal for heavy workloads.
❌ No DRAM Cache – May slow down during large file transfers.
❌ Brand Reputation – Fanxiang is not as well-known as Samsung or Crucial.
🔬 Why Do Large Files Transfer Slowly on SATA SSDs?
If you experience slowdowns during large file transfers, it’s due to:
🔻 No DRAM Cache – The Fanxiang S101Q likely uses HMB (Host Memory Buffer) instead of dedicated DRAM, causing slower sustained writes.
🔻 SLC Cache Runs Out – The SLC cache speeds up initial transfers, but once full, the SSD slows down to TLC speeds (~100MB/s).
🔻 SATA Interface Bottleneck – The 6Gbps speed limit restricts performance compared to NVMe SSDs.
💡 How to Avoid Slowdowns?
✔ Transfer files in smaller batches to prevent cache overflow.
✔ Avoid running multiple transfers simultaneously.
✔ Use an NVMe SSD for heavy workloads.
🔥 Heat & Performance: Do SATA SSDs Overheat?
Unlike NVMe SSDs, which can reach 70°C+, SATA SSDs run cooler (typically 30–50°C under load). However, high temperatures can still cause slowdowns.
🔹 How to Reduce Heat?
✔ Ensure proper airflow in your PC case.
✔ Avoid filling the SSD to 100% capacity (keep at least 10–20% free).
✔ Use cooling pads for laptops if needed.
🛠️ Best Use Cases for Fanxiang 4TB SSD
✅ Best for:
✔ Upgrading old laptops & desktops – A major speed boost over HDDs.
✔ Storing games & media libraries – Large 4TB capacity.
✔ Budget-friendly NAS SSDs – Works in SATA-based NAS systems.
✔ External drive (with SATA enclosure) – Great for backups & PS4/PS5 storage.
❌ Not ideal for:
❌ High-speed gaming or video editing – Use NVMe PCIe 4.0+ SSDs instead.
❌ Sustained large file transfers – May slow down after cache fills up.
🏆 Comparison: Fanxiang 4TB vs. Other 4TB SATA SSDs
4TB SSD Comparison 💽
💾 Fanxiang S101Q (4TB)
- ⚡ Read Speed: 550MB/s
- ✍️ Write Speed: 450MB/s
- 🎮 DRAM Cache: No
- 💰 Price: Budget-Friendly
💾 Samsung 870 EVO (4TB)
- ⚡ Read Speed: 560MB/s
- ✍️ Write Speed: 530MB/s
- 🎮 DRAM Cache: Yes
- 💰 Price: More Expensive
💾 Crucial MX500 (4TB)
- ⚡ Read Speed: 560MB/s
- ✍️ Write Speed: 510MB/s
- 🎮 DRAM Cache: Yes
- 💰 Price: Mid-Range
💾 WD Blue SA510 (4TB)
- ⚡ Read Speed: 545MB/s
- ✍️ Write Speed: 490MB/s
- 🎮 DRAM Cache: No
- 💰 Price: Budget
Key Highlights:
- 🏆 Best Performance: Samsung 870 EVO (560MB/s read, 530MB/s write)
- 💰 Best Budget Option: Fanxiang S101Q & WD Blue SA510
- ⚡ Best Value for Money: Crucial MX500 (DRAM cache + mid-range price)
✅ Fanxiang S101Q is one of the most affordable 4TB SATA SSDs, but lacks DRAM cache, making premium models like the Samsung 870 EVO a better choice for heavy workloads.
🚀 Final Verdict: Is the Fanxiang 4TB SSD Worth It?
✔ Buy if:
✔ You need large, affordable storage for general use.
✔ You are upgrading from an HDD and want better speeds.
✔ You want a budget-friendly SSD for gaming or media storage.
❌ Avoid if:
❌ You need faster speeds for gaming or editing – Get an NVMe PCIe SSD.
❌ You require high endurance & DRAM cache – Choose Samsung 870 EVO.
💡 Final Thoughts:
The Fanxiang 4TB SSD (S101Q) is a solid budget SATA SSD, perfect for everyday users who need high-capacity storage without paying extra for premium brands. However, if you need faster write speeds, durability, and DRAM cache, Samsung 870 EVO or Crucial MX500 are better choices.
🔹 Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Great value for budget-conscious buyers!
