The early numbers tell more than one story
Tom’s Hardware tested the 8TB Forge with a 2TB FireCuda 530R PCIe 4.0 SSD supplied by Seagate. Its reported results were:
| Benchmark | Result |
|---|---|
| DiskBench, 50GB read | 1,127.69 MB/s |
| DiskBench, 50GB write | 424.09 MB/s |
| CrystalDiskMark sequential read | 1,754.91 MB/s |
| CrystalDiskMark sequential write | 1,307.74 MB/s |
| PCMark 10 Data Drive Score | 775 |
The Forge led the comparison’s sequential CrystalDiskMark results and DiskBench reads, but the SanDisk Desk Drive wrote faster in DiskBench, at 533.9 MB/s. PCMark placed the Forge above the conventional hard drives shown, but below some flash-based alternatives. These rankings apply to that comparison, not the entire external-storage market.
The practical interpretation is straightforward: do not treat the highest sequential result as the speed every task will achieve. These tests measure different workloads. Nor do the figures establish how effectively the cache will accelerate a particular game after repeated use; that question remained open in the preliminary report.
The SSD is required—and does not add capacity
Seagate offers the Forge with an 8TB or 20TB hard-drive base. Its product specifications require a separately installed M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, using PCIe Gen3 or newer, rated for at least 2,400 MB/s reads and 2,000 MB/s writes. DRAM cache is recommended. Seagate advertises USB4 connectivity and maximum transfer rates of 2,500 MB/s read and 2,000 MB/s write; these are manufacturer claims, not guaranteed everyday results.
There is also a compatibility detail worth resolving before buying an SSD: Seagate’s public listing specifies a 1TB maximum, whereas Tom’s Hardware tested a supplied 2TB model. The tested configuration should not be read as blanket approval for every larger SSD. Buyers should obtain confirmation for a specific configuration that falls outside the published requirement.
More importantly, installing flash does not turn an 8TB Forge into a larger-capacity volume. In Seagate’s technical explanation, the HDD determines the visible capacity, while the SSD provides a cache managed by Alkemi. The computer sees one volume rather than separate HDD and SSD destinations.
That makes the SSD an operating component, not bonus storage. Budgeting for it as though it were an optional upgrade would miss the point—and the checkout total.
What Windows users gain from the design
Seagate says Alkemi handles cache placement inside the enclosure, using onboard processing, an FPGA and embedded Linux rather than relying on the host computer to manage the storage tiers. Frequently accessed data receives priority on the SSD while the larger library remains on the HDD. This explains the intended convenience: one storage destination without manually moving active projects between separate drives. It does not independently prove how quickly the system adapts to changing workloads.
The official compatibility listing names Windows 11 and macOS 26 or later. The Forge also requires external power; it is not simply a USB-C cable and a pocket-sized drive.
Cost and sustained performance remain important
Seagate’s launch announcement listed starting prices of $699 for 8TB and $899 for 20TB, before the required SSD. Its inspected US product listing displays $699.99 for the 8TB base. Those figures should be distinguished from the total cost of a working configuration.
Tom’s Hardware also observed warmth near the SSD, without reporting that it became hot. That observation is not evidence of thermal throttling or a completed endurance test.
The early takeaway is therefore narrower than “hard-drive capacity at SSD speed.” FireCuda Forge offers an interesting automatically managed storage arrangement, but its buying case still depends on the workload, SSD compatibility and complete system cost. The benchmarks are a useful opening chapter; they are not yet the ending.