VisionTek DLX4 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2230

The DLX4 hits 5200 MB/s reads and 289K random write IOPS, which is genuinely strong. But it costs $556+ USD, has no DRAM cache, and only 4 reviews. The encryption is nice, but the value just isn't there for most people.

The sequential numbers are the headline here. 5200 MB/s read and 4370 MB/s write put this drive at the 74th percentile for speed, which translates to 'strong' in our book. You'll notice the difference when moving large files or loading games compared to a PCIe 3.0 drive. The random performance is even better relative to the field: 195K read IOPS and 289K write IOPS land at the 79th percentile. That's well above average and means snappy app launches and responsive multitasking.

The catch is the DRAM-less design with the Innogrit IG5220 controller. DRAM-less drives typically struggle with sustained writes and mixed workloads, and while the 289K random write IOPS number is impressive on paper, real-world performance can dip when the drive fills up. The TLC NAND helps, but don't expect this to hang with the top-tier drives like the SN850X in heavy sustained workloads.

Stacked against the Western Digital SN850X, the DLX4 loses on almost every front. The SN850X has a DRAM cache, higher endurance, and better sustained performance, usually at a lower price. The Crucial T500 also beats it on value while offering similar or better speeds. Where the DLX4 has an edge is the M.2 2230 form factor and the hardware encryption, which the SN850X and T500 don't offer in the same package. The Samsung 9100 PRO and Kingston FURY Renegade G5 are in a completely different performance tier, so comparing them feels almost unfair. If you need the small form factor and encryption, the DLX4 has a niche. If you just want a fast 1TB drive, buy something else.

This is where the DLX4 falls apart. At $556 to $581 USD, you're paying flagship money for a drive that doesn't deliver flagship performance. The 8th percentile affordability ranking isn't just bad, it's one of the worst we've seen for a 1TB drive. For context, you can get drives with better sustained performance and actual DRAM caches for significantly less. The Canadian listing at $1,029 CAD is equally rough. The encryption features are genuinely valuable for enterprise or security-focused buyers, but for everyone else, this is a tough sell.

The VisionTek DLX4 hits 5200 MB/s sequential reads and 4370 MB/s writes, which puts it in the top quarter of drives in our database for raw speed. That's a solid showing for a DRAM-less M.2 2230 drive, especially one aimed at laptops and compact builds. The 500 TBW endurance rating is also respectable, landing at the 68th percentile, so you're not getting a drive that'll burn out after a year of heavy use.

But here's the thing: this drive is weirdly positioned. It's got TCG Opal 2.0 and 256-bit AES encryption, which is genuinely rare at this price point and form factor. Yet the affordability ranking is 8th percentile, meaning it's one of the most expensive drives in its class. And with only 4 reviews and a 16th percentile social proof score, almost nobody is buying or talking about it. That's a red flag we can't ignore.

If you're building a standard desktop or upgrading a typical laptop with an M.2 2280 slot, skip this. The 8th percentile affordability ranking means you're paying a premium for the 2230 form factor and encryption features you probably don't need. Gamers and general users will get better performance and endurance from cheaper drives like the SN850X or T500. And with user sentiment at the 36th percentile, even the people who bought it aren't exactly raving.

The VisionTek DLX4 is a capable drive with a serious identity crisis. The 5200 MB/s reads and 289K random write IOPS are genuinely good, and the TCG Opal encryption is a standout feature. But at $556+ USD with a DRAM-less design and almost no user feedback, it's hard to recommend for most buyers. The 36th percentile user sentiment score tells us that even the few people who bought it aren't thrilled. If you need M.2 2230 with hardware encryption, this is one of your only options. If you don't, skip it.