| 480GB Crucial M500 Solid State Drive |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Storage | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Tuesday, 09 April 2013 | |
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Crucial M500 Solid State Drive Review
Manufacturer: Micron Technology, Inc. Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Micron. Micron Technology updates their product family with the new Crucial M500 solid state drive, which arrives in capacities ranging from 120GB-960GB for 2.5" SATA, mSATA, and M.2/NGFF form factors. Built upon the Marvell 88SS9187-BLD2 SATA 6Gb/s controller using custom Crucial firmware, M500 utilizes 20nm Micron-branded Synchronous Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash components for an increased per-die NAND capacity that makes the entire more affordable. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the 480GB Crucial M500 Solid State Drive (model CT480M500SSD1) and compare it against the fastest SATA 6GB/s storage solutions available. The first consumer SSD to offer SATA 6Gb/s support debuted back on February 2010, when Micron Technology introduced the Crucial RealSSD C300 solid state drive. Back then, Crucial's RealSSD C300 was able to reach 383/227 MBps read/write speeds in our lab tests. Then on April 2011 the Micron RealSSD C400 (aka Crucial m4 SSD) arrived with speeds up to 415 MB/s. It's been two years since then, and now Micron returns with the Crucial M500 Solid State Drive. Peak performance speeds reach 500 MB/s read and 400 MB/s write (for 480/960GB capacities), with 80,000 IOPS operational performance. In addition to improved performance, the Crucial M500 delivers greater power efficiency through reduced 20nm NAND die process, hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption, IEEE-1667 and TCG Opal 2.0-compliant firmware, 'Hold-Up' capacitors to ensure data integrity in the event of power loss, and an adaptive thermal monitoring system with on-board thermistor and microcontroller to assist with temperature control in ultrathin and embedded designs. The Crucial M500 SSD also offers device sleep (DEVSLP), which increases system battery life while maintaining system responsiveness, a feature that enables this solid state drive to draw less than 5 milliwatts of power while the system is in sleep mode - a 93% power improvement compared to Crucial's previous-generation C400/m4 SSD. Micron protects consumers with a 3-year limited product warranty.
Solid State vs Hard DiskDespite decades of design improvements, the hard disk drive (HDD) is still the slowest component of any personal computer system. Consider that modern desktop processors have a 1 ns response time (nanosecond = one billionth of one second), while system memory responds between 30-90 ns. Traditional hard drive technology utilizes magnetic spinning media, and even the fastest spinning mechanical storage products still exhibit a 9,000,000 ns / 9 ms initial response time (millisecond = one thousandth of one second). In more relevant terms, the processor receives the command and must then wait for system memory to fetch related data from the storage drive. This is why any computer system is only as fast as the slowest component in the data chain; usually the hard drive. In a perfect world all of the components operate at the same speed. Until that day comes, the real-world goal for achieving optimal performance is for system memory to operate as quickly as the central processor and then for the storage drive to operate as fast as memory. With present-day technology this is an impossible task, so enthusiasts try to close the speed gaps between components as much as possible. Although system memory is up to 90x (9000%) slower than most processors, consider then that the hard drive is an added 1000x (100,000%) slower than that same memory. Essentially, these three components are as different in speed as walking is to driving and flying. Solid State Drive technology bridges the largest gap in these response times. The difference a SSD makes to operational response times and program speeds is dramatic, and takes the storage drive from a slow 'walking' speed to a much faster 'driving' speed. Solid State Drive technology improves initial response times by more than 450x (45,000%) for applications and Operating System software, when compared to their mechanical HDD counterparts. The biggest mistake PC hardware enthusiasts make with regard to SSD technology is grading them based on bandwidth speed. File transfer speeds are important, but only so long as the operational I/O performance can sustain that bandwidth under load. Bandwidth Speed vs Operational PerformanceAs we've explained in our SSD Benchmark Tests: SATA IDE vs AHCI Mode guide, Solid State Drive performance revolves around two dynamics: bandwidth speed (MB/s) and operational performance I/O per second (IOPS). These two metrics work together, but one is more important than the other. Consider this analogy: bandwidth determines how much cargo a ship can transport in one voyage, and operational IOPS performance is how fast the ship moves. By understanding this and applying it to SSD storage, there is a clear importance set on each variable depending on the task at hand. For casual users, especially those with laptop or desktop computers that have been upgraded to use an SSD, the naturally quick response time is enough to automatically improve the user experience. Bandwidth speed is important, but only to the extent that operational performance meets the minimum needs of the system. If an SSD has a very high bandwidth speed but a low operational performance, it will take longer to load applications and boot the computer into Windows than if the SSD offered a higher IOPS performance.
Overview: Crucial M500 SSDSolid state drive devices have gained quick popularity with performance-minded consumers because they work equally well in PC, Linux, or Apple computer systems. Likewise, these drives install quite easily into both desktop and notebook platforms without modification. The OCZ Vertex 3.20 SSD Series is best suited for performance-orientated users, giving personal computers a much faster response time and boosting productivity. In this article Benchmark Reviews tests the 480GB Crucial M500 Solid State Drive, model CT480M500SSD1, which is advertised to reach 500 MB/s sequential read speeds and 400 MB/s sequential writes. Crucial's performance specifications suggest up to 80,000 random 4K read and write IOPS.
Crucial M500 SSDs are best suited for performance-orientated personal computer systems, but may also works extremely well in SOHO computer systems for demanding power users. Initial pricing reveals the following MSRP for each capacity: 120GB - $129.99, 240GB - $219.99, 480GB - $399.99, and 960GB - $599.99. 2.5" SATA retail 7mm SSD kits include a 9.5mm bracket for versatile installations. The Crucial M500 SSD features a 7mm thick chassis that comes in a textured aluminum finish, which does not show fingerprints or smudges like a gloss surface would. Micron utilizes a standard two-piece metal enclosure for their Crucial M500-series SSDs, with a series branding label at the top panel and product information on the bottom.
Standard 2.5" drive bay mounting points are pre-drilled and threaded into the Crucial M500 chassis, allowing this drive to fit directly into the SATA slot on existing notebook or compact computer systems. Fortunately, Crucial also includes a 7.0mm to 9.5mm adapter with their retail SSD kit, so the drive will easily install into larger fittings. The SSD mounting positions matched up to the drive bracket on my notebook computer, and after only a few minutes of upgrading I booted-up from a restored Windows 7 System Backup Image with ease.
Unlike fragile Hard Disk Drive (HDD) storage products, SSDs are not nearly as sensitive to impact damage and do not require (or benefit from) any kind of special vibration dampening or shock-proof enclosures. Once installed the SSD is usually hidden away from view, which explains why Micron has maintained a conservative appearance with the Crucial M500-series. Internal components are revealed by removing four small counter-sunk Philips screws located at the bottom of this solid state drive, although doing so will damage the attached 'Warranty Void' label that warn consumers against taking apart their product. By removing the SSD cover it will also remove your consumer protection with it.
Backwards compatible with SATA 1.5 GB/s and 3.0 GB/s interfaces, the Marvell 88SS9187-BLD2 SATA Revision 3.0 (6Gb/s) controller supports the ATA-8 ACS-2 command set, Microsoft Windows 8 drive telemetry, Data Set Management Command Trim attribute (when installed with a supported Operating System such as Microsoft Windows 7/8), Secure erase (data page) fast and secure erase command set, device sanitize feature set, Native Command Queuing (NCQ) with 32 command slots, and basic Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) command set.
In the next few sections we'll test the Crucial M500 solid state drive, comparing this SSD to other leading retail products intended for notebook and desktop installations... Crucial M500 SSD SpecificationsSource: Micron Technology Crucial M500 2.5-inch SSD combines 20nm multi-level cell (MLC) Micron® NAND flash memory technology with the Marvell® 88SS9187 SATA 6Gb/s controller that's fueled by our own custom firmware. In addition to breakthrough performance, the Crucial M500 delivers greater power efficiency, hardware-based encryption, thermal monitoring capabilities, and more. Packaged in an industry-standard 2.5-inch 7mm z-height enclosure and available with an adapter bracket for 9.5mm requirements, the M500 can be implemented as a hard disk drive alternative providing significant improvement to boot times, application load times, as well as reduced power consumption, and extended reliability. 
M500 Key Features
SSD Testing MethodologySolid State Drives have traveled a long winding course to finally get where they are today. Up to this point in technology, there have been several key differences separating Solid State Drives from magnetic rotational Hard Disk Drives. While the DRAM-based buffer size on desktop HDDs has recently reached 64 MB and is ever-increasing, there is still a hefty delay in the initial response time. This is one key area in which flash-based Solid State Drives continually dominates because they lack moving parts to "get up to speed". However the benefits inherent to SSDs have traditionally fallen off once the throughput begins, even though data reads or writes are executed at a high constant rate whereas the HDD tapers off in performance. This makes the average transaction speed of a SSD comparable to the data burst rate mentioned in HDD tests, albeit usually lower than the HDD's speed. Comparing a Solid State Disk to a standard Hard Disk Drives is always relative; even if you're comparing the fastest rotational spindle speeds. One is going to be many times faster in response (SSDs), while the other is usually going to have higher throughput bandwidth (HDDs). Additionally, there are certain factors which can affect the results of a test which we do our best to avoid. SSD Testing DisclaimerEarly on in our SSD coverage, Benchmark Reviews published an article which detailed Solid State Drive Benchmark Performance Testing. The research and discussion that went into producing that article changed the way we now test SSD products. Our previous perceptions of this technology were lost on one particular difference: the wear leveling algorithm that makes data a moving target. Without conclusive linear bandwidth testing or some other method of total-capacity testing, our previous performance results were rough estimates at best. Our test results were obtained after each SSD had been prepared using DISKPART or Sanitary Erase tools. As a word of caution, applications such as these offer immediate but temporary restoration of original 'pristine' performance levels. In our tests, we discovered that the maximum performance results (charted) would decay as subsequent tests were performed. SSDs attached to TRIM enabled Operating Systems will benefit from continuously refreshed performance, whereas older O/S's will require a garbage collection (GC) tool to avoid 'dirty NAND' performance degradation. It's critically important to understand that no software for the Microsoft Windows platform can accurately measure SSD performance in a comparable fashion. Synthetic benchmark tools such as ATTO Disk Benchmark and Iometer are helpful indicators, but should not be considered the ultimate determining factor. That factor should be measured in actual user experience of real-world applications. Benchmark Reviews includes both bandwidth benchmarks and application speed tests to present a conclusive measurement of product performance. Test System
Storage Hardware TestedThe following storage hardware has been used in our benchmark performance testing, and may be included in portions of this article:
Test Tools
Test Results DisclaimerThis article utilizes benchmark software tools to produce operational IOPS performance and bandwidth speed results. Each test was conducted in a specific fashion, and repeated for all products. These test results are not comparable to any other benchmark application, neither on this website or another, regardless of similar IOPS or MB/s terminology in the scores. The test results in this project are only intended to be compared to the other test results conducted in identical fashion for this article. AS-SSD BenchmarkAlex Schepeljanski of Alex Intelligent Software develops the free AS SSD Benchmark utility for testing storage devices. The AS SSD Benchmark tests sequential read and write speeds, input/output operational performance, and response times. AS-SSD Benchmark uses compressed data, so sequential file transfer speeds are reported lower than with other tools using uncompressed data. For this reason, we will concentrate on the operational IOPS performance in this section. Beginning with sequential transfer performance, the 480GB Crucial M500 solid state drive produced speeds up to 494.42 MB/s for reads and 423.62 MB/s writes. These results indicate that compressed data transfers move as quickly as uncompressed data on the Crucial M500. Single-threaded 4K IOPS performance tests deliver 22.78 MB/s read and 62.01 MB/s write, while the 64-thread 4K reads recorded 337.65 MB/s and write performance was at 306.33 MB/s.
AS-SSD 64-thread 4KB IOPS performance results are displayed in the chart below, which compares several enthusiast-level storage products currently on the market. In the 64-thread 4KB IOPS performance tests, the 480GB Crucial M500 SSD outperformed most other recently-released solid state drive products - primarily due to the larger NAND density and overall storage capacity (others SSDs tested are 240GB). Nevertheless, the Crucial M500 solid state drive easily surpassed previously-tested Micron/Crucial SSDs. The chart below is sorted by total combined performance, which helps illustrate which products offer the best operational input/output under load:
In the next section, Benchmark Reviews tests transfer rates using ATTO Disk Benchmark. ATTO Disk BenchmarkThe ATTO Disk Benchmark program is free, and offers a comprehensive set of test variables to work with. In terms of disk performance, it measures interface transfer rates at various intervals for a user-specified length and then reports read and write speeds for these spot-tests. There are some minor improvements made to the 2.46 version of the program that allow for test lengths up to 2GB, but all of our benchmarks are conducted with 256MB total length. ATTO Disk Benchmark requires that an active partition be set on the drive being tested. Please consider the results displayed by this benchmark to be basic bandwidth speed performance indicators.
ATTO Disk Benchmark: Queue Depth 4 (Default)Our bandwidth speed tests begin with the Crucial M500 solid state drive attached to the Intel P67-Express SATA 6Gb/s controller operating in AHCI mode. Using the ATTO Disk Benchmark tool, the test drive performs basic file transfers ranging from 0.5 KB to 8192 KB. The 480GB model provided to Benchmark Reviews for testing produced 539 MBps maximum read speeds that plateau from 128-8192 KB file chunks, and 445 MBps peak write bandwidth that plateaus from 32-8192 KB. These results confirm Micron's performance specifications of 500/400 MBps for all 480/960GB Crucial M500 SSDs.
In the next section, Benchmark Reviews tests sequential performance using the CrystalDiskMark 3.0 software tool... CrystalDiskMark 3.0 TestsCrystalDiskMark 3.0 is a file transfer and operational bandwidth benchmark tool from Crystal Dew World that offers performance transfer speed results using sequential, 512KB random, and 4KB random samples. For our test results chart below, the 4KB 32-Queue Depth read and write performance was measured using a 1000MB space. CrystalDiskMark requires that an active partition be set on the drive being tested, and all drives are formatted with NTFS on the Intel P67 chipset configured to use AHCI-mode. Benchmark Reviews uses CrystalDiskMark to illustrate operational IOPS performance with multiple threads. In addition to our other tests, this benchmark allows us to determine operational bandwidth under heavy load. CrystalDiskMark uses compressed data, so sequential file transfer speeds are reported lower than with other tools using uncompressed data. For this reason, we will concentrate on the operational IOPS performance in this section. CrystalDiskMark 3.0 reports sequential speeds reaching 476.5 MB/s reads and 441.4 MB/s writes. 512K test results reached 434.4 MB/s read and 431.0 MB/s write performance. 4K tests produced 25.11 read and 75.24 write performance. All the results produced by the 480GB Crucial M500 solid state drive on CrystalDiskMark are significantly higher than previously tested solid state drive products... especially Micron/Crucial SSDs.
Maximum 4KB IOPS performance results at queue depth 32 are reported in the chart below. These values represent the performance levels for several enthusiast-level storage solutions, and illustrates which products offer the best operational performance under load:
In the next section, we continue our testing using Iometer to measure input/output performance... Iometer IOPS PerformanceIometer is an I/O subsystem measurement and characterization tool for single and clustered systems. Iometer does for a computer's I/O subsystem what a dynamometer does for an engine: it measures performance under a controlled load. Iometer was originally developed by the Intel Corporation and formerly known as "Galileo". Intel has discontinued work on Iometer, and has gifted it to the Open Source Development Lab (OSDL). There is currently a new version of Iometer in beta form, which adds several new test dimensions for SSDs. Iometer is both a workload generator (that is, it performs I/O operations in order to stress the system) and a measurement tool (that is, it examines and records the performance of its I/O operations and their impact on the system). It can be configured to emulate the disk or network I/O load of any program or benchmark, or can be used to generate entirely synthetic I/O loads. It can generate and measure loads on single or multiple (networked) systems. To measure random I/O response time as well as total I/O's per second, Iometer is set to use 4KB file size chunks over a 100% random sequential distribution at a queue depth of 32 outstanding I/O's per target. The tests are given a 50% read and 50% write distribution. While this pattern may not match traditional 'server' or 'workstation' profiles, it illustrates a single point of reference relative to our product field. All of our SSD tests used Iometer 1.1.0 (build 08-Nov-2010) by Intel Corporation to measure IOPS performance, using a SandForce-created QD30 configuration: 4KB 100 Random 50-50 Read and Write.icf. The chart below illustrates combined random read and write IOPS over a 120-second Iometer test phase, where highest I/O total is preferred:
In our Iometer tests, which are configured to use 32 outstanding I/O's per target and random 50/50 read/write distribution, SandForce SSDs generally outperform the competition when tested with this large queue depth. The OCZ Vertex 4 SSD delivered the best combined IOPS performance we've seen from any SATA-based SSD with 83,494, followed by the Intel SSD 520 Series at 80,433 peak combined IOPS, then the Intel SSD 335 Series with 80,015. The 480GB Crucial M500 solid state drive kept pace with the leading SATA 6Gb/s SSDs by producing 62,873 combined IOPS. Compared to previous Micron/Crucial SSDs, the new M500 is far and away a superior performing storage device. It should be noted that nearly all modern SSDs deliver I/O far beyond the needs of multi-tasking power users and hardcore gamers, and would be ideal for workstation systems running utilizing virtual machines. In our next section, we test linear read and write bandwidth performance and compare its speed against several other top storage products using EVEREST Disk Benchmark. Benchmark Reviews feels that linear tests are excellent for rating SSDs, however HDDs are put at a disadvantage with these tests whenever capacity is high. EVEREST Disk BenchmarkMany enthusiasts are familiar with the Lavalys EVEREST benchmark suite, but very few are aware of the Disk Benchmark tool available inside the program. The EVEREST Disk Benchmark performs linear read and write bandwidth tests on each drive, and can be configured to use file chunk sizes up to 1MB (which speeds up testing and minimizes jitter in the waveform). Because of the full sector-by-sector nature of linear testing, Benchmark Reviews endorses this method for testing SSD products, as detailed in our Solid State Drive Benchmark Performance Testing article. However, Hard Disk Drive products suffer a lower average bandwidth as the capacity draws linear read/write speed down into the inner-portion of the disk platter. EVEREST Disk Benchmark does not require a partition to be present for testing, so all of our benchmarks are completed prior to drive formatting. Linear disk benchmarks are superior bandwidth speed tools in my opinion, because they scan from the first physical sector to the last. A side affect of many linear write-performance test tools is that the data is erased as it writes to every sector on the drive. Normally this isn't an issue, but it has been shown that partition table alignment will occasionally play a role in overall SSD performance (HDDs don't suffer this problem).
The high-performance storage products we've tested with Lavalys EVEREST Disk Benchmark are connected to the Intel P67-Express SATA 6Gb/s controller and use a 1MB block size option. Charted above, read performance on the 480GB Crucial M500 solid state drive measured average speeds of 457.7 MB/s with a relatively close maximum peak speed of 466.2 MB/s. These read results are among some of the best we've tested, and very consistent across the full range of capacity. Everest linear write-to tests were next...
The waveform chart below illustrates how well the Crucial M500 manages file transfers, and makes linear write performance appears relatively uneven. The results seen here are consistent with most other SSD products we've tested in the past that use an integrated cache buffer. The 480GB Crucial M500 solid state drive recorded an average linear write-to speed of 424.8 MB/s, with maximum performance reaching 431.5 MB/s and placing near the top results. The chart below shows the average linear read and write bandwidth speeds for a cross-section of storage devices tested with EVEREST:
Linear tests are an important tool for comparing bandwidth speed between storage products - although HDD products suffer performance degradation over the span of their areal storage capacity. Linear bandwidth certainly benefits the Solid State Drive, since there's very little fluctuation in transfer speed. This is because Hard Disk Drive products decline in performance as the spindle reaches the inner-most sectors on the magnetic platter, away from the fast outer edge. In the next section we use PCMark Vantage to test real-world performance... PCMark Vantage HDD TestsPCMark Vantage is an objective hardware performance benchmark tool for PCs running 32- and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7. PCMark Vantage is well suited for benchmarking any type of Microsoft Windows Vista/7 PC: from multimedia home entertainment systems and laptops, to dedicated workstations and high-end gaming rigs. Benchmark Reviews has decided to use the HDD Test Suite to demonstrate simulated real-world storage drive performance in this article. PCMark Vantage runs eight different storage benchmarks, each with a specific purpose. Once testing is complete, results are given a PCMark score while and detailed results indicate actual transaction speeds. The 480GB Crucial M500 SSD produced a total PCMark Vantage (secondary) HDD Test Suite score of 65482, which matches performance with the 240GB OCZ Vertex 3. Specific test speeds are reported below:
PCMark Vantage: Crucial M500 SSDOur tests were conducted on an Intel P67-Express Sandy Bridge motherboard using the onboard native SATA 6Gb/s controller with 64-bit Windows 7. Because new drivers were used, this test is not comparable to past tests and may not be fairly compared to storage devices attached to other computer systems. In the next section, I share my review conclusion and final product rating. Crucial M500 SSD ConclusionIMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently at various points in time. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes which occur after publication that could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate. After revealing the first consumer SATA-6Gb/s solid state drive in 2010, Micron since set a reserved pace for follow-up offerings. The original Crucial RealSSD-C300 was an excellent product for its time, delivering 383/227 MB/s read and write transfers with nearly 21K IOPS. A year later the Crucial m4 SSD arrived to provide 446/281 MB/s read and write transfers with almost 29K IOPS. Three years after the RealSSD-C300 debuted, and two years since the Crucial m4 arrived on scene, Micron finally launches a successor: the Crucial M500 SSD. More than just a faster storage product, the Crucial C500 SSD brings several key features such as: 20nm NAND Flash, hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption, TCG Opal 2.0-compliant firmware, 'Hold-Up' capacitors to ensure data integrity, and on-board thermistor and microcontroller to assist with temperature control. Beginning with the performance rating, I consider how effective the Crucial M500 SSD performs in file transfer operations against competing solid-state storage solutions. For reference, the 480B model is specified by Micron to produce up to 500 MB/s read speeds and 400 MB/s writes. In our storage benchmark tests the Crucial M500 SSD performed slightly above these speeds. Benchmark test results demonstrated that Micron's Crucial M500 SSD was good for delivering 539/445 MB/s peak read and write speeds using ATTO Disk Benchmark SSD speed tests; easily surpassing all previous Crucial SSD products. Linear file transfers with Everest Disk Benchmark produced 458/425 MB/s, which exceeds performance for both the OCZ Vector and Vertex 4 SSDs. Transfer speeds were very fast overall, and while not the fastest we've recorded they still tested near the top. The 480GB Crucial M500 SSD sent to us for testing is advertised to deliver up to 80,000 random 4KB read or write IOPS. Using Iometer operational performance tests configured to a queue depth of 32 outstanding I/O's per target across 100% of the drive, our benchmarks produced 62,873 combined IOPS performance to exceed all previously-released Crucial SSDs as well as the recently launched OCZ Vector SSD. In 4K 32QD tests using AS-SSD and CrystalDiskMark, the Crucial M500 SSD excelled well past the competition by a very sizable margin and achieved the second highest score for each.
Solid State Drives are low-visibility products: you see them just long enough to install and then they're forgotten. Like their Hard Disk Drive counterparts, Solid State Drives are meant to place function before fashion. Anything above and beyond a simple metal shell is already more than what's expected in terms of the appearance. Micron Technology has created a sleek 7mm profile with appealing textured aluminum finish on the Crucial M500-series SSDs. As solid state storage controllers become faster and more advanced, heat dissipation through the enclosure walls may demand that chassis designs become more beneficial than they previously needed to be. For now, the adaptive thermal monitoring system on the M500 suits it well in managing heat in ultrathin and embedded designs. Construction is probably the strongest feature credited to the entire SSD product segment, and Crucial products have never offered any exception. Solid State Drives are by nature immune to most abuses, but add a hard metal shell and the chance of failure is reduced to internal component defects. If any Crucial M500-series SSD product fails during the limited 3-year warranty period, end-users can contact Lexar/Crucial via the company website or SSD support forum. There's also a toll-free telephone number for support or customer service questions available at 800-336-8915. As of April 2013, the Crucial M500 SSD launches in the following capacities and prices:
The Crucial M500 solid state drive is fast - but not the fastest, and powerful - but not the most powerful. That doesn't mean it doesn't hold up well to the competition, most of which lacking the hardware features and value. A smaller 20nm NAND Flash component frees up PCB real-estate and enable higher density (128MB) ICs to fit, reducing manufacturing material costs and thereby reducing product prices. An advanced 256-bit hardware-based AES encryption engine secures data, while 'Hold-Up' capacitors ensure that data's integrity in the event of power loss. An adaptive thermal monitoring system with on-board thermistor and microcontroller is certainly a useful feature for ultrathin and embedded designs, but the device sleep (DEVSLP) function that draws less than 5-milliwatts of power while in sleep mode is a 93% power improvement over previous-generation SSDs. Collectively these features and functions add to the already noteworthy performance, and earn the Crucial M500 SSD our Golden Tachometer Award for excellence. Pros:
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Comments
Currently, the best way to improve the speed of SSD'a is to RAID-0 two of them together. But not a lot of people are competent enough to do this themselves. Think of the advantage this drive would have over the competition at (near) double the speed.
Until someone creates the next generation interface (SATA-4?), the next logical step in improving SSD speed is a single drive with TWO sata ports on it, doubling the bandwidth. The drive itself: essentially two physical drives "RAID'ed" together inside the same box. Basically, "plug & play RAID".
No need for the user to "create a RAID array" by hand. Firmware could be created so the computer sees only "one" drive despite having to SATA ports. This might be pricey at first, but just as with any new technology, the cost will come down in time.
However, putting two SATA ports on an existing SSD wouldn't make configuring a RAID any simpler, since it's exactly equivalent to having two separate SSDs: you'd still need to configure RAID on your motherboard to tell it to treat the two SATA connections as a single device.
I think it could probably bring you a lot more views, it would be an additional revenue stream, and it would probably encourage companies like samsung to send you more products.
And I would love to see your reviews with videos of the products...
It's really a win-win for everyone lol
In other words, stay profi as much as u can but use all channels u can.
There seem to be many factors at work here
- Widespread belief that phones and tablets are replacing laptops and desktops
- Windows 8 was not well received and may be hurting new PC sales
- The state of the economy
- Average customer might not see the benefit (or even know what an SSD is)
Also, some of the SSD makers themselves (ex: OCZ) have not been doing so well either.
The thing I haven't seen is the cheap production of older technology SSD's to make them more accessible. I think it is silly on the manufactures part to have not released these, but I can see some obstacles:
1) The production costs are similar to newer technology drives, which makes it not worth producing them and offering at a lower price point.
2) They want to keep a premium enthusiast price to make. Particularly the larger drives that mainstream users would buy such as 256-500 gb.
(I am thinking this is like the large LCD price fixing conspiracy)
I think a lot of mainstream would only use HDD as backup if there were 256+ gb for $100-150. I feel the mainstream market would jump on board quickly at that point.
What do you think?
It's not like other products where you can sell the last generation for less. It's not really a conspiracy I'm afraid - SSD prices are driven by the prices of NAND Flash more so than anything else.
And it's not mainstream that matters. It's whether OEMs begin to replace HDDs with SSDs en masse - that is where truly widespread adoption will occur.
But by your account, that is a big "if".
Eventually the industry will shift.. but its not going to be as fast as I would like. I guess I will wait a couple more years to replace my media and game drives. I already got an SSD for my OS.
Thanks for the response.
But even the bigger players like Micron are having some issues from what I've been led to believe in making money.
Here take a look:
#investors.micron.com/secfiling.cfm?filingID=723125-12-156
They lost money in 2012 as a whole, but lets look at segments.
- In terms of NAND, they made $198 million in profits on $2.853 billion in sales. So for every $1 of NAND, they make about $0.07 of profit.
- For DRAM, they lost $500 million on $2.691 billion in sales. For them to break even, DRAM prices would have to go up by about 17.5%.
There isn't too much room to decrease prices. I imagine maybe Intel or Samsung would make more money, but it's not a high margin market by any means. That puts even more pressure on the smaller players too, because companies like Micron can leverage their vertical integration and the sheer volume of NAND that they produce.
It's not like GPUs where I think the higher end margins are like 30% right now for Nvidia.
Good review.