In this case it is likely that due to the planar MLC, and the fact the die size(128gb) is too small. Since they can fit only a limited amount of packages on the M.2 2280 stick they essentially run out of space.
For an alternate example, micron are creating TLC v-nand currently at around 384gb per die.
It's a bit disappointing to see consumer MLC drives becoming so rare. I was hoping 3D NAND would offer enough cost and capacity benefits to help MLC remain more common. Yes, TLC's probably fast enough and durable enough for anything I'd really need it for, but I'm willing and able to pay a bit more money and give up some storage capacity for MLC.
Yeah, the MX300 from crucial was really depressing to see. Slower than the MX200 due to TLC and less over provisioning. 525GB? GTFO Crucial... save that extra 25GB for over provisioning, the TLC NAND will need it. Just hope we never see QLC.
I've installed a few MX300 drives and that extra space is actually used for over provisioning. The "275GB" drives show as 256GB when accessed. I'm guessing just Crucial marketing department decided to list every GB that the drive technically has.
275GB == 256GiB. None of the advertised space is factory overprovisioning. They have odd sizes because it makes the formatted size in the OS appear to be a nice number.
Although I'm not sure how the 525 at 488 GB accessible looks nice. Perhaps they're just going to value angle: Get more space for your money in the same SSD size class than the competitors.
The primary reason for the odd sizes is that Micron's 3D TLC is a 384Gb die, compared to 128Gb or 256Gb for most other MLC and TLC parts. The 525GB MX300 has 576GiB of NAND, which gives it a slight increase in usable capacity over 512GB drives while still having more than twice the spare area for overprovisioning and SLC cache.
Not to mention the even larger capacity difference it has over 480GB and 500GB drives. The MX300 575GB has very good value per GiB usable space. Performance isn't as great as Samsung (the 840 Pro from years ago is consistently faster) but we're comparing Porsches to Ferrari's here.
Could be a nice performance drive, although we'd need to review to judge whether it's worth the significant price premium (I suppose not for regular desktop work).
Man I love Corsair but I hope this drive can do RGB or something because at that price premium its going be very hard to compete with the EVO lineup which is pretty much on par with but significantly cheaper. Not sure what Corsair was thinking but I think this drive is going to be dropping in price quite fast (same as with all the other PCIE drives as soon as Samsung brings their 960 lineup in stock)
** at that price premium its going be very hard to compete with the EVO lineup which is pretty much on par with but significantly cheaper **
But the Samsung EVO Series uses TLC flash while the Corsair MP 500s use MLC. Moreover, the endurance on the Corsair is considerably higher than that of the EVOs. Furthermore, the 250GB EVO 960 got a fairly poor review. So far, only the 1TB and larger capacities have gotten good reviews (and we haven't seen a review on the 500GB EVO 960 yet).
So all in all, at least on the lower capacities (250-500GB) it may well turn out that the Corsair MP 500 series proves to be better value for the money.
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AnotherGuy - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
So we are in 2017 almost and still no 1TB SSD option? Why?Inteli - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
1 TB of MLC is expensive. Most 1 TB SSDs are using more dense TLC.bENDEJO - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
I don't understand the comment. Several manufacturers produce 1TB (or larger) options, but not for every model.doggface - Sunday, December 18, 2016 - link
In this case it is likely that due to the planar MLC, and the fact the die size(128gb) is too small. Since they can fit only a limited amount of packages on the M.2 2280 stick they essentially run out of space.For an alternate example, micron are creating TLC v-nand currently at around 384gb per die.
danjw - Sunday, December 18, 2016 - link
For M.2 you have the Samsung 960 Pro 1TB: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-960-PRO-Internal-MZ...and 960 EVO 1TB: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-960-EVO-Internal-MZ...
There are plenty of 1TB and greater SATA SSDs.
BrokenCrayons - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
It's a bit disappointing to see consumer MLC drives becoming so rare. I was hoping 3D NAND would offer enough cost and capacity benefits to help MLC remain more common. Yes, TLC's probably fast enough and durable enough for anything I'd really need it for, but I'm willing and able to pay a bit more money and give up some storage capacity for MLC.Ej24 - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
Yeah, the MX300 from crucial was really depressing to see. Slower than the MX200 due to TLC and less over provisioning. 525GB? GTFO Crucial... save that extra 25GB for over provisioning, the TLC NAND will need it. Just hope we never see QLC.LostWander - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
I've installed a few MX300 drives and that extra space is actually used for over provisioning. The "275GB" drives show as 256GB when accessed. I'm guessing just Crucial marketing department decided to list every GB that the drive technically has.XabanakFanatik - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
No, it's not.275GB == 256GiB. None of the advertised space is factory overprovisioning. They have odd sizes because it makes the formatted size in the OS appear to be a nice number.
XabanakFanatik - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
Although I'm not sure how the 525 at 488 GB accessible looks nice. Perhaps they're just going to value angle: Get more space for your money in the same SSD size class than the competitors.Billy Tallis - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
The primary reason for the odd sizes is that Micron's 3D TLC is a 384Gb die, compared to 128Gb or 256Gb for most other MLC and TLC parts. The 525GB MX300 has 576GiB of NAND, which gives it a slight increase in usable capacity over 512GB drives while still having more than twice the spare area for overprovisioning and SLC cache.Lolimaster - Saturday, December 17, 2016 - link
And even with that it fails in performance.MrSpadge - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link
This fail is called "good enoguh".Samus - Saturday, December 17, 2016 - link
Not to mention the even larger capacity difference it has over 480GB and 500GB drives. The MX300 575GB has very good value per GiB usable space. Performance isn't as great as Samsung (the 840 Pro from years ago is consistently faster) but we're comparing Porsches to Ferrari's here.Bruce427 - Friday, December 16, 2016 - link
** Article: It is noteworthy that so far only Corsair, Patriot and ZOTAC have started selling SSDs based on the Phison PS5007-E7 platform. **Please add the MyDigital BPX series to that list. I purchase one (with the Phison PS5007-E7 controller) before Thanksgiving.
MrSpadge - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link
Could be a nice performance drive, although we'd need to review to judge whether it's worth the significant price premium (I suppose not for regular desktop work).Hxx - Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - link
Man I love Corsair but I hope this drive can do RGB or something because at that price premium its going be very hard to compete with the EVO lineup which is pretty much on par with but significantly cheaper. Not sure what Corsair was thinking but I think this drive is going to be dropping in price quite fast (same as with all the other PCIE drives as soon as Samsung brings their 960 lineup in stock)Bruce427 - Friday, December 23, 2016 - link
** at that price premium its going be very hard to compete with the EVO lineup which is pretty much on par with but significantly cheaper **But the Samsung EVO Series uses TLC flash while the Corsair MP 500s use MLC. Moreover, the endurance on the Corsair is considerably higher than that of the EVOs. Furthermore, the 250GB EVO 960 got a fairly poor review. So far, only the 1TB and larger capacities have gotten good reviews (and we haven't seen a review on the 500GB EVO 960 yet).
So all in all, at least on the lower capacities (250-500GB) it may well turn out that the Corsair MP 500 series proves to be better value for the money.
We'll just have to wait for reviews to see.