Sandisk has been by far the biggest maker of TLC for a while now, just in cards and flash drives not SSD. So maybe they managed to do a good job here too.
Wow, they actually made the TLC good enugh for SSD use. I remember you reported a while back, that 2nd gen TLC isn't quite ready for SSD use (Only few 100 p/e). Guess that changed.
I also wonder what kind of write speeds thins thing call pull off when SLC cache runs out.
It's also possible that SanDisk/Toshiba is keeping the best quality TLC to themselves, which would explain why some OEMs mentioned that A19nm is only good for 300-500 P/E cycles because that is the stuff they are getting.
To be honest the average Joe/Corporate user who is used to running daily off an old 250GB rust spinner pushing 60MBps would be thrilled with a SSD running at just 250MBps Read/Write and 0.1MS access times.
If they were pumping out such drives at 240GB for say $70 I'd be buying in bulk.
Well, for a 70$ mark we'll have to wait a bit for the process to mature, so it costs less to make. Or for 3D nand to become a thing for mainstream drives aswell.
Either way, you can already get as of right now a 240GB ssd for 95$ (newegg -- v300).
Still impatiently waiting for a mainstream laptop that has native PCIe NMVe M.2 SSD slot(s) - do we need to wait for Broadwell-H next July or so, or will such laptops be available sooner? If I've followed the news accurately, PCIe NMVe M.2 SSDs will be available around December this year.
This could be a really nice value drive. Pretty much the only complaint I have is: if you call even your budget drive "Ultra", how is the user supposed to know which SanDisk drive is faster than the other?
Hey guys. I am a SanDisk firmware engineer that work on developing this drive. The SanDisk branding is based on a "good, better, best" naming and works in the following way:
Ultra: Good Extreme: Better Extreme Pro: Best
It works this way across all product lines (SSD, USB, SD)
Looking forward to street pricing and a review / reliability reports. I hope PCIe devices (in a normal PCIe form factor) are going to be released as well though! I already have a 500GB 2.5" SDD, that's all I need to boot from. Give me PCIe storage for my other needs (games and "stuff"). :D
Ultimately what matters is how the drive performs and that the endurance is sufficient. The type of NAND does not automatically make one better than the other -- the 840 EVO for instance is better than many MLC based SSDs on the market.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
22 Comments
Back to Article
jjj - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Sandisk has been by far the biggest maker of TLC for a while now, just in cards and flash drives not SSD. So maybe they managed to do a good job here too.hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Wow, they actually made the TLC good enugh for SSD use. I remember you reported a while back, that 2nd gen TLC isn't quite ready for SSD use (Only few 100 p/e). Guess that changed.I also wonder what kind of write speeds thins thing call pull off when SLC cache runs out.
hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
can*Damn anandtech, come to 21st cent. and GIVE US THE EDIT OPTION.
Kristian Vättö - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
It's also possible that SanDisk/Toshiba is keeping the best quality TLC to themselves, which would explain why some OEMs mentioned that A19nm is only good for 300-500 P/E cycles because that is the stuff they are getting.hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Yeah that is entirely possible. Well, either way, i would love to see some endurance ratings (not that it matter to a consumer anyway).jabber - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
To be honest the average Joe/Corporate user who is used to running daily off an old 250GB rust spinner pushing 60MBps would be thrilled with a SSD running at just 250MBps Read/Write and 0.1MS access times.If they were pumping out such drives at 240GB for say $70 I'd be buying in bulk.
hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Well, for a 70$ mark we'll have to wait a bit for the process to mature, so it costs less to make. Or for 3D nand to become a thing for mainstream drives aswell.Either way, you can already get as of right now a 240GB ssd for 95$ (newegg -- v300).
beginner99 - Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - link
I have a 512 GB ssd in my work laptop! :P But yeah top speed doesn't matter really. Such a modern ssd is nice to have even on SATA-IIisa - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Still impatiently waiting for a mainstream laptop that has native PCIe NMVe M.2 SSD slot(s) - do we need to wait for Broadwell-H next July or so, or will such laptops be available sooner? If I've followed the news accurately, PCIe NMVe M.2 SSDs will be available around December this year.extide - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
You will likely have to wait, as the OEM's typically wait for new chips from Intel before they redesign their lineup.isa - Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - link
What's needed at the chipset level for PCIe NVMe M.2 that's not in the current 97 series chipsets?MrSpadge - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
This could be a really nice value drive. Pretty much the only complaint I have is: if you call even your budget drive "Ultra", how is the user supposed to know which SanDisk drive is faster than the other?hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Yeah, Sandisk product naming is super confusing.BdyBldnJckt - Thursday, August 21, 2014 - link
Hey guys. I am a SanDisk firmware engineer that work on developing this drive. The SanDisk branding is based on a "good, better, best" naming and works in the following way:Ultra: Good
Extreme: Better
Extreme Pro: Best
It works this way across all product lines (SSD, USB, SD)
BdyBldnJckt - Thursday, August 21, 2014 - link
Again with the not being able to edit: worked*lilmoe - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Samsung needs to make SLC 3D NAND PCIe/M.2 drives (20nm instead of 40 for density's sake). I would definitely pay a premium for those.hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Why SLC ?Everything is moving aways from SLC, since MLC is fast and durable enough.
hojnikb - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Away*Death666Angel - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Looking forward to street pricing and a review / reliability reports.I hope PCIe devices (in a normal PCIe form factor) are going to be released as well though! I already have a 500GB 2.5" SDD, that's all I need to boot from. Give me PCIe storage for my other needs (games and "stuff"). :D
Fujikoma - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - link
Why in the world, would I pay MLC prices for TLC??? I thought this was a Samsung thing, but it seems SanDisk feels it can milk people also.semo - Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - link
Unless they can make these cheap enough for NAS fodder, I'd go with MX100 every timeKristian Vättö - Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - link
Ultimately what matters is how the drive performs and that the endurance is sufficient. The type of NAND does not automatically make one better than the other -- the 840 EVO for instance is better than many MLC based SSDs on the market.