Apparently the version WD made for MS can work in either 3.0x4 or 4.0x2 modes. It wasn't reported whether this is actually a non-public feature of the standard controller or if MS had a controller made especially for them, but either way it ought to work just fine.
Yep. The SLC versions of the IX SN530 won't have any of the write amplification associated with SLC caching, and when used exclusively as SLC the NAND can still get the job done long after it's too worn out for using as TLC.
That's a good point. Western Digital is clearly marketing the IX SN530 for both industrial and automotive use cases, but their automotive product page for it doesn't cite compliance with standards like AEC-Q100 and the temperature range isn't as broad as a lot of automotive components.
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brunosalezze - Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - link
The 2230 form factor and the 2400MBps read speed, those sound a lot like the Xbox Series S/X drives. Are they PCI-e 4.0 2x?Billy Tallis - Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - link
These are gen3 x4, but Microsoft did get them to make a gen4 x2 version for the Xbox.Chaitanya - Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - link
In the teardown posted on youtube, MS is using SN530 for Xbox Series S so something is no right with MS marketting or WD specsheet.Valantar - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
Apparently the version WD made for MS can work in either 3.0x4 or 4.0x2 modes. It wasn't reported whether this is actually a non-public feature of the standard controller or if MS had a controller made especially for them, but either way it ought to work just fine.Jorgp2 - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
It just has a PCI-E switch.Jorgp2 - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
They're the same drive, but the Xbox version has a PCI-E switchbubblyboo - Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - link
The 85GB SLC drive has better write endurance than the 2TB TLC one.Billy Tallis - Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - link
Yep. The SLC versions of the IX SN530 won't have any of the write amplification associated with SLC caching, and when used exclusively as SLC the NAND can still get the job done long after it's too worn out for using as TLC.Kristian Vättö - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
Industrial does not equal automotive. Automotive requirements are far, far more stricter and complicated than industrial.Billy Tallis - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
That's a good point. Western Digital is clearly marketing the IX SN530 for both industrial and automotive use cases, but their automotive product page for it doesn't cite compliance with standards like AEC-Q100 and the temperature range isn't as broad as a lot of automotive components.PaulHoule - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
Pro tip: they'd have more credibility if they removed "tape" from their graphic.Sunday Afternoon - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - link
Pro tip: don't ignore your customers: https://youtu.be/avP5d16wEp0?t=66