The N250M/D5 is a fanless platform, featuring the entry-level Alder Lake N250 processor that comes in a quad core configuration. ASRock Launches N250M/D5 Motherboard With Pre-Installed and Passively Cooled Alder Lane N250 Processor Single-slot DIMM motherboards are pretty rare, but it doesn't matter to ASRock, which has launched a single-slot DIMM platform called N250M/D5. It's a CPU-motherboard combo that brings the Intel entry-level Alder Lake N processor pre-installed. As you can guess from the name, the motherboard has an Intel N250 processor pre-installed and features a fanless heatsink for complete passive cooling. ASRock says the N250M/D5 is ready for "affordable" [β¦]
Acer has introduced a new SSD called the FA300. This is a mid-range M.2 NVMe drive that uses PCIe Gen 5 technology. The main idea behind this launch is to make Gen 5 speeds more affordable and easier to access for more users.
The FA300 comes in two sizes: 1 TB and 2 TB. Both versions can reach up to 11 GB/s read speed, which is very fast for daily use, gaming, and heavy tasks. The write speed is slightly different between the two. The 1 TB model can go up to 9.7 GB/s, while the 2 TB version is a bit faster at up to 10 GB/s.
This SSD uses a DRAMless controller. While Acer has not shared the exact controller name, common options in this range include models from Phison and Silicon Motion. Even without DRAM, the drive still delivers strong performance for most users.
When it comes to random performance, the numbers are also solid. The 1 TB version can reach up to 1.4 million IOPS for reads and 1.6 million IOPS for writes. The 2 TB model performs even better, with up to 1.7 million IOPS for both reads and writes. This helps in faster app loading and smoother system response.
The company has not revealed the type of 3D NAND used in the drive. However, endurance looks good. The 1 TB version is rated at 750 TBW, while the 2 TB model offers 1,500 TBW. Both drives come with a 5-year warranty, which adds extra confidence for long-term use.
Acer FA300 Gen5 SSD specifications
Specification
1 TB Model
2 TB Model
Model Name
Acer FA300
Acer FA300
Form Factor
M.2 2280
M.2 2280
Interface
PCIe Gen5x4, NVMe 2.0
PCIe Gen5x4, NVMe 2.0
DRAM Cache
DRAM-Less
DRAM-Less
Capacity
1 TB
2 TB
Sequential Read (Up to)
11000 MB/s
11000 MB/s
Sequential Write (Up to)
9700 MB/s
10000 MB/s
Random Read 4K (Up to)
1400K IOPS
1700K IOPS
Random Write 4K (Up to)
1600K IOPS
1700K IOPS
Dimensions
80 Γ 22 Γ 2.5 mm
80 Γ 22 Γ 2.5 mm
Weight
< 10 g
< 10 g
Operating Temperature
0Β°C to +70Β°C
0Β°C to +70Β°C
Storage Temperature
-40Β°C to +85Β°C
-40Β°C to +85Β°C
MTBF
1,500,000 hours
1,500,000 hours
Certifications
FCC, CB, CE, UKCA, KCC, VCCI, RCM, BSMI, RoHS
FCC, CB, CE, UKCA, KCC, VCCI, RCM, BSMI, RoHS
Warranty
5-Year / 750 TBW
5-Year / 1500 TBW
Acer has not shared the official price yet. But based on its positioning, the FA300 is expected to be one of the more budget-friendly Gen 5 SSDs in the market.