Biwin M560 2TB Review: DRAM-less PCIe 5.0 SSD Rated at 1.7M IOPS

Biwin's M560 2TB SSD, priced at $364.99, delivers up to 11,000 MB/s sequential reads and a rated 1.7 million random read/write IOPS — a figure that exceeds the 1.3-plus million IOPS claimed for direct rival Phison E31T drives such as the Corsair MP700 Elite. Tom's Hardware tested the drive and called it one of the best all-around PCIe 5.0 SSDs it has reviewed, citing class-leading responsiveness and excellent efficiency. The 1TB SKU sells for $189.99.

The review matters for a specific reason: the controller. The M560 uses Silicon Motion's SM2504XT, a part that is genuinely hard to find in retail products. Reviewer Shane Downing noted that the combination of this controller with Kioxia's 218-layer BiCS8 TLC flash is a match made in heaven, and that it is a shame the SM2504XT does not appear more often.

Why a DRAM-less PCIe 5.0 drive now?

The PCIe 5.0 DRAM-less segment has grown popular because it offers most of the interface's performance without the power draw and heat of flagship drives, at a lower price. The technology is newer than what PCIe 4.0 drives offer, so buyers get a better all-around experience if they accept the platform change. The M560 positions itself as a real alternative to every drive in this class built on Phison hardware.

What are the key specifications?

• Form factor: single-sided M.2 2280, 2.45 mm height
• Interface and protocol: PCIe 5.0 x4, NVMe 2.0
• Controller: SMI SM2504XT, four channels
• NAND: 218-layer Kioxia BiCS8 TLC, two packages
• DRAM: none; the drive uses host memory buffer (HMB)
• Sequential read/write: 11,000 / 10,000 MB/s (2TB)
• Random read/write: 1,700K / 1,700K IOPS (2TB)
• Endurance: 750 TBW at 1TB, 1,500 TBW at 2TB
• Warranty: five years

The endurance rating deserves attention. At 750 TB of writes per terabyte of capacity, Biwin offers 25 percent more coverage than is typical for this class. The reviewer considered it a bonus rather than a decisive factor.

Is 2TB the right ceiling?

The M560 ships only in 1TB and 2TB capacities, and there is no 4TB option. That absence is the main gap in the lineup, since 4TB SKUs are common and desired in this class — the Lexar NM790 built its reputation partly on offering one. Eight terabytes would be unrealistic for a four-channel controller, and 4TB is achievable but unusual.

The explanation is physical. The SM2504XT performs best with four NAND dies per channel, or sixteen dies in total, which makes 2TB the sweet spot for this design. Two terabytes is a decent amount of flash for a controller of this type, even in a higher-end product.

How does the pricing compare?

At $364.99 for 2TB, the M560 sits in line with the Crucial P510 and lands below DRAM-equipped flagship drives such as the Samsung 9100 Pro by enough of a margin to make sense. Buyers can find PCIe 5.0 drives with DRAM at similar or lower prices, but they trade away efficiency and thermals to get there.

What about power and thermals?

The back label rates the drive at 3.3 V and 2.0 A, implying power draw below roughly 7W, and the S.M.A.R.T. report lists a maximum of 8W. Those figures look concerning at first glance, because good DRAM-less SSDs typically stay at 6.5W or below.

The measured reality is better. The drive operates comfortably around 4W, with a maximum significantly under 6.5W and an average of about half that. The components occupy less than half the PCB, and the extra spacing helps spread heat. The reviewer expects the drive to work well in laptops and to run exceptionally cool even in PCIe 4.0 machines.

What software ships with it?

Biwin offers three downloads: data recovery tools for macOS and Windows, plus the Biwin Intelligence toolbox. The recovery software for macOS drew particular praise, since that platform is often ignored. The toolbox provides drive health checks, firmware updates and related functions, but it supports Windows only.

What are the trade-offs?

The strengths are top-tier application and gaming performance, low 4KB random read latency, and excellent power efficiency. The weaknesses are the missing 4TB SKU and slower write speeds once the SLC cache fills during sustained transfers. On the evidence of this review, the M560 sets the benchmark other DRAM-less PCIe 5.0 vendors will now have to match on price, endurance and efficiency.