QNAP TS-464 or the Synology DS423+ NAS Drive – Which Should You Buy?

Choosing Between the Synology DS423+ and QNAP TS-464 NAS is more than just about how you are spending your money at checkout! Making a move away from 3rd public cloud storage can be a big, BIG decision for some users. The ‘freemium’ and low cost monthly subscription to the likes of Google Drive and DropBox seems like a drop in the ocean, right up until you realise that over the years you have spent hundreds of pounds and you face the fact that you are going to need to consider moving that data onto something more long term and ‘in house’. For many users, this is their first encounter with two of the bigger brands in the world of NAS, Synology and QNAP and although at a glance they seem to provide the same kind of solution, even a brief second glance reveals that these two brands have very, very different ideas of where you should be spending your money. Synology is the sleek, apple-esc presented solution that promises a smooth and uncomplex experience, with an arguably more rigid and fixed architecture. Whereas QNAP is the more customizable and flexible in its hardware and software, but has a slightly higher learning curve and requires more time to configure perfectly. Both brands provide an excellent range of NAS solutions with each of the solutions in today’s comparison being quite similar in price, but what you are getting for your money, the range of software included, the scope of hardware that is available and how they translate to upgradable and scalability is incredibly different! So, today we are going to compare the Synology DS423+ NAS released in March 2023 (HEAVILY comparable to the 2020 gen DS920+) against the spring 2022 released QNAP TS-464 NAS.

Synology DS423+ vs QNAP TS-464 NAS – Design

The design of the QNAP TS-464 and Synology DS423+ are both very uniform to the brands, utilizing existing designs in their respective Home/Prosumer/SMB ranges. Both are 4-Bay desktop solutions that are designed to be deployed easily and pretty much anywhere. They are largely the same in physical volume, with the Synology DS423+ arriving the tiniest pinch larger, but both systems provide a similar level of storage on their four SATA and 2x NVMe M.2 SSD bays. The Synology has the more traditional shape of the lockable storage media bays being immediately visible, but finish this with an incredibly modernistic shape and matt surface design. The front of the system features a single USB backup port, as well as 5 LEDs for system/drive activity and those two M.2 SSD bays are located on the base of the system. The QNAP TS-464 NAS uses a more glossy and slightly coloured design by comparison (featuring a copper side panel), with the 4 drive bays of the system being covered by a slidable and lockable semi-translucent panel. The QNAP also featured the same LED/USB present, but there are more LEDs on the QNAP and the USB here is both a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10Gb/s) and is accompanied by a one-touch copy button. This is one of the early examples of how things in the NAS market have moved forward in hardware but Synology has instead doubled down on their focus of it’s DSM software platform above all else. The QNAP TS-464 is certainly the more expensive NAS of the two, with the DS423+, despite being newer and having a different position in the brand’s portfolio (see the DS923+ to learn more), but the hardware you are getting for that price tag is notably different and will become a clear divide between these two. Because of the compact design, both systems need to factor in intelligent cooling, as they will likely be in operation 24×7. This is another clear area where the brands have gone in different directions here.

QNAP TS-464 NAS 168mm × 170mm × 226 mm	Synology DS423+ NAS 166 mm x 199 mm x 223 mm

The ventilation on the Synology DS423+ is certainly more visible but in a much more ‘branded’ and slick way. The QNAP TS-464 features no front-facing ventilation, instead using two small areas of ventilation on the sides of the chassis and the base of the TS-464 featuring further ventilation under each of the storage bays. The Synology on the other hand has much more passive airflow, with each of the individual storage bays being surrounded by a slit of ventilation and the side panel of the DS423+ having the Synology logo featured as further ventilation. Higher-end Synology desktop models feature metal mesh panels inside these logos to capture dust, but this is less of a concern in the more compact and discreet DS423+. Overall, I would certainly say that the Synology DS423+ have more visible efforts to maintain system temperature than the QNAP TS-464 (which is a real surprise when you see how the hardware these two systems are sporting compares) but both maintain a good operation temperature.

QNAP TS-464 NAS	Synology DS423+ NAS

When you look at the rear of the TS-464 and DS423+ NAS, you see another big difference in how each system maintains their respective internal temperatures, with the QNAP featuring a single 120mm fan that covers the bulk of the internal hardware airflow path and the Synology featuring two 92mm fans that cover around 70% of the rear of the chassis. Of the two, I would say the QNAP TS-464 is the noisier in operation of the two (when populated with 4x 4TB WD Red HDDs) by the tiniest of margins, but it isn’t really till you entertain the idea of enterprise HDDs or drives larger than 10TB that you need to worry about ambient sound around these two systems. Both the DS423+ and TS-464 can have the rotations per minute (RPM) of their fans changed manually or left on automatic as the system changes the internal cooling to ensure maximum efficiency.

QNAP TS-464 NAS	Synology DS423+ NAS

Overall, the design of the Synology DS423+ is still the better-looking system of the two and although I personally really like the copper and glossy look of the QNAP TS-464 NAS, I know that the bulk of users will want to ‘set up and forget’ their NAS, so these aesthetic design choices are less important to them. Equally, although the QNAP fan has the potential to cool its respective system much more, I think the Synology features a better balance of active airflow and passive ventilation overall. The QNAP still wins pretty big on its inclusion of a USB 3.2 Gen 2 One Touch Copy button enabled port for faster and more manual backup options (as well as still allow automated and connection-triggered backups as the Synology), but overall on points, this round belongs to the Synology DS423+ NAS.

QNAP TS-464 versus Synology DS423+ NAS – Internal Hardware

This is an area where you really see how both brands focus their priorities on the solutions they offer, as well as how the components common to NAS have evolved in the 2 years between their respective releases. The Synology DS423+ arrives with a familiar architecture to it’s predecessor (the DS420+) and is a fairly tried and tested formula by the brand. Synology was the first company to introduce NVMe SSD storage bays into desktop NAS systems around 5 years ago (something that QNAP has only really been catching up on in the last 2 YEARS). Likewise, Synology has made a few very brand-specific decisions in their system architecture that this rather more proprietary brand is often keen to implement. For example, the default DDR4 memory inside (2666Mhz SODIMM) is actually soldered to the main internal board (4x 256MB Modules), with an additional empty memory slot to allow an additional 4GB Synology-branded memory module. As the DS423+ has a CPU that has a maximum 8GB of memory, this is an oddly artificial limitation that results in the DS420+ only allowing 6GB of max memory, an odd move that is perhaps done out of system PCI/Bandwidth, rather than any kind of manufacturer restriction. The QNAP features a newer gen CPU (as you would expect after the later release) and this CPU allows up to 16GB of memory (4GB in the default model) across two upgradable slots. Likewise, returning to those M.2 NVMe slots, both system feature 2 bays that can be used for SSD storage upgrades, although both the DS423+ and TS-464 support SSD caching (when a pool of SSDs is used to speed up data write/read in conjunction with the larger HDD RAID array), Synology ONLY RECENTLY allowed NVMe Storage Pools on their platform, whereas QNAP  has allowed NVMes as standalone storage pools, for app booting, running the OS from and even their own special internal tiering system known as QTier. This is the first of several key differences between the QNAP TS-464 and Synology DS423+ NAS that show the divide in hardware between these units.

Model	QNAP TS-464	Synology DS423+
Price	£559               $650              €675	£508               $549              €569
Storage Media Support	4x SATA, 2x m.2 NVMe 3×1 for Cache/Pools/QTier	4x SATA, 2x NVMe SSD Cache/Pool Bays
CPU Model	Intel N5105/N5095	Intel J4125
CPU Frequency & Cores	Quad-Core 2.0-2.9Ghz	Quad-Core 2.0-2.7Ghz
CPU Benchmark Score	CPU benchmark 4161	CPU benchmark 3006
Memory Default/Max	4-16GB SODIMM DDR4	2-6GB SODIMM DDR4 (4GB onboard)
PSU Power & Design	90W External PSU	100W External PSU
Physical Fans	1x 120m FAN	2x 92m FAN

Of course, the clearest difference that most PC builder-minded people are going to notice is the CPU. NAS systems are designed to be operational for days, weeks, months and even years at a time. Therefore, in order to maintain optimal performance, as well as lower power consumption and lessen the damage that long-term operation can inflict on a processor, the CPUs used in NAS are a great deal more modest. In the case of the Synology DS423+ and QNAP TS-464 NAS, they feature Intel Celeron processors, each featuring an embedded graphics component (allowing graphical operations, multimedia handling and visual data to be handled by a specialized area of the processor), quad-core architecture and a base level clock speed of 2.0Ghz that can be burst (turbo/increased when needed). However, the newer generation N5105/N5095 CPU in the QNAP is able to reach a higher overall clock speed and also is more efficient (i.e uses a little less hardware resources to get a task done than it would take on the J4125 typically, so, therefore, can do more tasks overall when the full CPU power is utilized). Indeed, CPUBenchmark rated the newer CPU 30%+ higher in it’s scoring than the J4125 (again, as you would expect for a CPU released more than a year later by Intel), so this processor means that more can be done on the QNAP (in like for like tasks) and also this CPU allows a greater range of hardware to be built into the system. CPUs are one of the largest quantifying factors of how a NAS is built and this is because they can only handle a certain amount of connected hardware (storage bays, ports, expansion slots, etc) when connected to a larger controller/motherboard. This is commonly referred to as the # of PCI lanes and the chipset used in the build of the system. Because this newer Intel N5105 / N5095 CPU has more lanes to use at once than the J4125, it allows the newer NAS drive to have more hardware.

QNAP TS-464 NAS – Intel N5105/N5095 CPU

Synology DS423+ NAS – Intel J4125 CPU

These additional CPU resources, as well as the increased maximum memory and flexibility of how the M.2 NVMe SSD slots can be used ultimately mean that in terms of internal hardware, the newer released QNAP TS-464 wins over the Synology DS423+ NAS. It is worth remembering that the M.2 NVMe SSD slots on the QNAP TS-464 are PCIe Gen 3 x1 (down to the Celeron CPU still not having anywhere near the scope in it’s flexibility that the likes of an Intel Core, Ryzen or Xeon might have) and will bottleneck at 1,000MB/s, but this is still better than nothing and there is still the lingering question of the Gen 2 slots on the DS423+ being 2×2 or 2×4 – which will potentially limit the M.2 NVMes on the DS423+ further still. So the QNAP still seems to have a better balance of NVMe SSD support in its architecture overall.

Synology DS423+ or QNAP TS-464 NAS – Ports & Connections

Now ports and connections on the Synology DS423+ and QNAP TS-464 NAS is an area that is INCREDIBLY diverse in it’s approach by either brand. Once again, the reasons clearly to do with the CPU choice and position on their respective brand portfolios, but also the brand’s own decisions in build architecture/priorities still massively continue to be a contributing factor here. The Synology DS423+ NAS certainly comes across as the weaker of the two here in its connectivity and although a lot of the QNAP’s advancements in connectivity could be described as ‘future upgrades and simply facilitating extras or addons’, it still manages to provide a greater deal of connectivity to the day 1 user than the Synology system here. The port(s) that almost certainly will be the one that jumps out immediately on each system is the network connections. The DS423+ NAS arrives with 2x 1GbE ports which, although allowing link aggregation to create 2GbE with a smart switch, was still a little underwhelming in 2023 (as we had already started seeing 2.5GbE arriving at the same price as 1GbE with a number of client hardware devices in 2020). The newer QNAP TS-464 features 2x 2.5GbE (so 5GbE via link aggregation and a supported switch) which now that some ISPs and budget switch manufacturers are providing affordable 2.5GbE solutions, will be incredibly useful. Then the is the additional PCIe upgrade slot on the QNAP NAS that allows upgrades towards 10GbE, dual-port 10GbE cards and even combo cards to add 10G and further M.2  NVMe bays via a single card. Again, there ARE upgrades and not something in the baseline model, but you can not argue with the future-proofing available here. Additionally, the DS923+ NAS released in December 2022 had the option to upgrade to 10GbE – something hugely absent here in the eyes of many on this 4xSATA and 2xNVMe DS423+ NAS. There is simply no avoiding that in the 2023 released DS423+, those 1GbE ports are something of a limiting factor.

Model	QNAP TS-464	Synology DS423+
Network Ports	2x 2.5GbE	2x 1GbE
USB 3.2 Ports	2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb)	2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb)
USB 2.0 Ports	2x USB 2.0	0
HDMI Ports	1x HDMI 2.0 4K 60FPS	n/a
PCIe Upgrade Slots	PCIe Gen 3×2 Slot (2Gb/s)	n/a

After the network and PCIe differences that favour the TS-464, the distance between the 2020 and 2022 NAS hardware architecture here is further extended. The Synology DS423+ features a further USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) port, but LACKS the option to upgrade it’s storage down the line with an expansion (such as with the eSATA port on the DS920+ and DS923+ NAS supporting the DX517 official expansion). QNAP counters this on the TS-464 with the inclusion of another USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) port, as well as some (obviously less useful) USB 2.0 ports. These USB 2.0 Ports are primarily designed to be used in conjunction with the optional visual output (HDMI 2.0 4k 60FPS) on the QNAP as a KVM (Keyboard, video and mouse) setup with the included parallel HD Station application and its tool. The HDMI and direct interface of the QNAP is still pretty niche as a service on this system, but it has a number of useful multimedia, surveillance and VM utilities that can be quite impressive. Expansions on the TS-464 are more diverse than the 5-Bay DX517 on the DS423+ (which again, is NOT supported anyway), with QNAP offering 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12-Bay expansion chassis (arriving in JBOD or hardware RAID enabled) that connect over USB or an inclusive PCIe card. Overall, it comes as no surprise that in terms of hardware, the QNAP TS-464 still takes the first place, as the Synology DS423+ (like most of the brand’s solutions) is prioritizes the DSM platform and it’s tools/services over the hardware. Let’s discuss the software on each of these brands.

QNAP TS-464 or the Synology DS423+ NAS – Software

When you are choosing to buy a Synology or QNAP NAS, it is always worth bearing in mind that you are not just buying a bunch of hardware, but you are actually getting a fully-featured software solution. Both the Synology DS423+ and QNAP TS-464 arrive with each brand’s premium NAS software and services platform, DSM and QTS respectively. Both of these platforms include a traditional operating system level of accessibility and control, that can be accessed via pretty much any web browser or desktop OS, as well as numerous tailored mobile client applications. The Synology DSM platform is a lot more comparable in design and control with Mac OSX and is by far the more user-friendly option of the two. The QNAP QTS platform is a lot more comparable to Android in its initial GUI and then more like Windows in it’s navigation, arriving as the option with a greater deal of configuration and control, but with a steeper learning curve. Another big difference between QTS and DSM is how they present their services, with QNAP providing a larger degree of support of 3rd party applications (both in the app center and in the configuration of their own range of 1st party applications. Synology DSM on the other hand proves a larger and more impressive range of fist party tools that are designed to replace/improve upon the 3rd party tools you might be using, with many of it’s applications being comparable to top tier 3rd party paid tools in the market (the Synology collaboration suite, the Surveillance Station application and pretty much everything in Synology Drive, just as a start). The QNAP platform also, in it’s efforts to be as widely compatible and configurable as possible, occasionally stems into over-complexity and risks the user tripping over itself as it tries to manage the larger scale of configuration Whereas, although the Synology DSM platform may seem a pinch more closed and fixed, it manages to prevent the users from accidentally ruining their own storage system. Here is a full breakdown of the key applications that are included with the QNAP TS-464 and Synology DS423+, broken down into categories:

	QNAP TS-464	Synology DS423+
Browser Support	Supports all Browsers	Supports all Browsers
	Browser File Management	Browser File Management
	Photo/Music/Video Tools	Photo/Music/Video Tools
	Multimedia Console	Synology Drive
	AI Photo Recognition	AI Photo Recognition
	Edge m.2 Coral TPU Support
Storage Services
	SED Drive Support	SED Drive Support
	QTier	Synology Hybrid RAID
	Hybrid Mount	Hybrid Share
	ISCSI Target/LUN	ISCSI Target/LUN
	vJBOD
	Snapshots	Snapshots
	SSD Cache (Read/Write/Both)	SSD Cache (Read/Write/Both)
	Cloud Sync / QSync	Cloud Sync
	Ex-FAT is Free	Fast RAID Rebuild
	RAID Resync control	RAID Resync control
	Secure Erase	Acrtive Backup Suite
	Lots of Expansions (TR/TL)	Hyper Backup
	HBS 3	Synology CMS
	Qfiling and Qsirch
Business Applications
	QVR Pro – 8 Camera Licenses (+USB Camera Support)	Surveillance Station – 2 Camera Licenses
	Virtualization Station	Virtual Machine Manager
	Ubuntu Linux Station 18/20	Docker Support
	Container Station	Active Backup 365 & Workspace
	Hypervisor Protector	Synology Office, Chat, Calendar
	QMailAgent	Synology Mail / MailPlus
	HD Station	Synology C2 and Services
	BoXafe
	Security Councillor	Security Councillor
	Malware Remover	Synology VPN Plus
	McAfee Anti-Virus Scanning	Log and Notification Center
	QVPN	Auto Blocking on SSH, Telnet etc
	Log and Notification Center	256 bit Encryption
	Auto Blocking on SSH, Telnet etc	2 Step Authentication
	256 bit Encryption	Firewall App
	2 Step Authentication	Access Protection and Allow/Deny list
	Firewall App	Synology Secure SignIn
	Access Protection and Allow/Deny list	Synology C2 Password

As you can see, both NAS brands provide similar levels of software, services and features, but they are presented in very different ways. Once again, I cannot emphasise enough how much more the QNAP platform is configurable but ALSO how it can often give you too much configuration and risk overwhelming less experienced users. The Synology DSM platform, for all its comparative rigidicy, is still overall the better software experience and you definitely see that Software over hardware priority from the brand clearly here. I have made long, LONG reviews on each of the NAS brand’s and their software platforms, which you can watch below for much, much more information on their respective strengths and weaknesses.

QNAP QTS 5.0 Review	Synology DSM 7 Review

Ultimately, it will come as no surprise that Synology come out on top in terms of software compared with the QNAP. That is not to say that the QNAP QTS platform is not good, it really, really is and some of the applications that are included for home and business users are often genuinely impressive, unique and provide facilities to the end-user that are wholly unavailable on any other NAS platform (eg Multimedia Console as a single portal media manager, the 2-3 Click VM storages and repository that are available in Virtualization Station, Linux Station and Container Staton or the QuMagie AI-powered tool that is able to cover a greater range of subjects and categories that any other NAS photo tool out there). However, the QNAP QTS platform is not quite as polished, as user-friendly and as responsive as the Synology DSM platform overall. If you want a better idea how these two NAS software platforms compare directly (i.e face to face), then you can check out my DSM vs QTS video below:

Alternatively, if you are NOT interested in using the software included with your NAS, there is always the option to install TrueNAS – Something that is surprisingly easy on the QNAP NAS (see video below):

QNAP TS-464 or the Synology DS423+ NAS – Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing between the Synology DS423+ and QNAP TS-464 largely comes down to a question of hardware vs software. The QNAP TS-464 is by a long distance the more advanced in hardware in practically every way (thanks of course to the brand’s focus in this direction) which leads to that system having a tremendously large scope in terms of what you can do with it, how far the storage can be expanded and how upgradable the system can be. The QNAP is the better future-proof hardware choice and despite the Synology NAS platform having a stronger software platform, it still has a vast array of software and services available in QTS nonetheless. For those that are hardware-focused or want a NAS to support their existing 3rd party client tools and apps, the QNAP TS-464 is by and larger the better choice. The Synology DS423+ NAS on the other hand, despite its 2-3 year older hardware (already premiered in the 2020 released DS920+) and arguably safer/sensible stance on hardware in general, is still a great NAS that will likely becoming more popular and palatable in the 4-Bay NAS market as the pricing becomes a bit more flexible (as many will still weigh the DS423+ with the older DS920+ that still has stock floating around and opt for the latter). Add to that the core strength and first-party focus of DSM leading to this hardware+software solution providing you with a huge array of polished and premium feeling tools at your disposal. As long as you are happy to do things ‘Synology’s way’ and are looking for an easy to use system that will not tax the end-users brain, you will find Synology the better software choice overall.

QNAP TS-464 NAS – Spring/Summer 2022		Synology DS423+ NAS – Spring 2023
Reasons to Buy it? Better Hardware inside and out More Expansion/Upgrade Options Able to run more simultaneous apps/clients at once Faster USB Ports (10Gb/s) Larger bandwidth PCIe upgrade slot (PCIe 3×2 vs 2×2/2×4) Higher CPU Frequency, Efficiency & Proficiency M.2 SSD Useable Tiered Storage Option		Reasons to Buy it? Much more user-friendly Synology Hybrid RAID for flexibility Overall Better 1st Party Software Better Surveillance Access/Streaming Lower Price Point as it in the SOHO part of Syn’s Portfolio Quieter Operation First Party Accessories (HDD, SSD, Memory, etc) Available
Buy on Amazon	Where to Buy	Buy on Amazon	Where to Buy

 

[Deal du Jour] Le SSD interne 870 QVO de Samsung existe en plusieurs modèles, de 1 To à 8 To. Pour redonner un coup de jeune à votre ordinateur, ou juste rajouter du stockage, ces modèles sont parfaits, surtout en promotions.  [Lire la suite]

Abonnez-vous aux newsletters Numerama pour recevoir l’essentiel de l’actualité https://www.numerama.com/newsletter/

Quoi de plus désagréable que d’allumer son PC pour jouer ou travailler et recevoir un message d’erreur S.M.A.R.T sur l’écran noir du BIOS.
La technologie S.M.A.R.T est une auto vérification de votre support de stockage disque dur ou SSD pour détecter une anomalie matériel.
Pour plus de détails, lire : Qu’est-ce que S.M.A.R.T. et comment l’utiliser pour prévenir les pannes de disque dur ou SSD
Au démarrage du PC, le BIOS, dans l’étape P.O.S.T test aussi les composants et vous avertit lorsqu’un composant défectueux est détecté.

Divers messages d’erreurs peuvent alors s’afficher ; dans ce tutoriel, je vous énumère les principales erreurs S.M.A.R.T avec leurs explications et solutions.

Erreurs S.M.A.R.T : les explications et les solutions

SMART failure predicted ou Hardrive Failure

Dans ce cas, S.M.A.R.T. avertit l’utilisateur qu’une défaillance du disque dur est imminente. Important : si vous voyez ce message sur votre ordinateur, copiez d’urgence toutes les informations et tous les fichiers importants sur un autre disque, car ce disque dur peut devenir inutilisable à tout moment !

S.M.A.R.T. Status BAD : Backup and Replace

Le Statut S.M.A.R.T indique l’état matériel physique du périphérique stockage.
Status BAD indique une panne imminent de votre disque dur ou SSD.
Lorsque vous êtes confrontés à ce message, il faut impérativement effectué une sauvegarde des données car les données du périphérique de stockage risquent d’être rapidement inaccessible.

Il faut ensuite procéder au remplacement du disque ou SSD.

The SMART hard disk check has detected an imminent failure

Au démarrage de votre ordinateur, le message suivant s’affiche :

The SMART hard disk check has detected an imminent failure. To ensure no data loss, please backup the content immediately and run the Hard Disk Test in System Diagnostics.

Comme pour les deux erreurs précédentes, le système S.M.A.R.T. signale une défaillance imminente du disque dur.

Les codes et noms d’erreur peuvent être différents selon le disque dur, la carte mère ou la version du BIOS. Cependant, chacun d’eux est un signal pour sauvegarder vos fichiers.

Uncorrectable Sector Count / Nombre de secteurs instables

Le paramètre S.M.A.R.T. Uncorrectable Sector Count est un paramètre critique qui indique la quantité de secteurs défectueux non corrigeables.

Il s’agit d’un paramètre critique. Une dégradation de ce paramètre peut indiquer une défaillance imminente du lecteur. Il est recommandé de sauvegarder d’urgence les données et de remplacer le matériel.

Le nombre de secteurs non corrigeables est un attribut important qui indique très souvent une défaillance totale imminente.
Dans ce cas là, vous devez :

• Effectuer une sauvegarde de vos données, si vous en avez pas
• Essayez d’effectuer une analyse de surface avec chkdsk
• Surveillez cet attribut S.M.A.R.T de très près, par exemple avec CrystalDiskInfo

hard disk error (3F0) ou Hard disk error 3F1

hard disk error (3F0) ou Hard disk error 3F1 sont des erreurs S.M.A.R.T spécifiques aux ordinateurs HP.
L’erreur est assez claire et indique un problème matériel sur le périphérique de stockage.
Dans ce cas là, il faut sauvegarder les données et procéder à un remplacement du disque dur ou SSD.

L’article Erreurs S.M.A.R.T : explications et solutions est apparu en premier sur malekal.com.

[Deal du Jour] Le FireCuda 530 est un SSD interne conçu pour PC et parfaitement compatible avec la PS5. Il permet d’augmenter le stockage, et de booster légèrement les performances. Le modèle 2 To avec dissipateur de chaleur est en promotion.  [Lire la suite]

Abonnez-vous aux newsletters Numerama pour recevoir l’essentiel de l’actualité https://www.numerama.com/newsletter/

The Gigabyte Aorus 10000 vs Seagate Firecuda 540 Gen5 SSD – Which Should You Buy?

It has taken some time, but Gen 5 m.2 NVMe SSDs are becoming more available, seeing a decrease in price, and are now being launched by major players in the SSD market. The slow rollout of Gen 5 in the solid-state drive world can be attributed in part to the 2020 pandemic and its subsequent impact on the production of Gen 5. The integration into motherboards and adoption by SSDs transitioning from Gen 4 to Gen 5 has also taken its time. Gen 5 promises enhanced performance capabilities and is accompanied by improved controllers from industry leaders. However, adoption at the motherboard and system levels has lagged slightly. While you can purchase a Gen 5 SSD now, the degree to which you can harness its peak performance consistently is still under discussion. Yet, if you’re buying a drive today for use over the next 5 years, it’s wise to be forward-thinking and future-proof your choice. As Gen 5 becomes more affordable and advanced, it’s poised to surpass and replace Gen 4. Thus, if you’re eyeing a high-performance SSD for future use, investing in a Gen 5 SSD now is a long-term strategy. Today, we’re evaluating two early Gen 5 SSD releases: the Seagate Firecuda 540 and Gigabyte Aorus 10000. These two SSDs may seem similar at first glance due to Gen 5’s nascent stage, but their priorities for a Gen 5 SSD differ. Let’s dive into a comparison of these drives.

Seagate Firecuda 540 NVMe SSD	Gigabyte Aorus 10000 NVMe SSD
Check Amazon	Check Amazon

Comparing Seagate Firecuda 540 and Gigabyte Aorus 10000 Hardware Specifications

When diving into the realm of SSDs, two top contenders emerge: the Seagate Firecuda 540 Gen5 and the Gigabyte Aorus 10000 Gen5. Both SSDs offer high-speed performance and are optimized for your storage needs, but there are a few notable differences. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose which might be right for you. From a consumer standpoint, Gen 5 has been available for just under 2 years, or closer to 18 months when considering when one could actually make a purchase online. In contrast, at the data center and enterprise levels, Gen 5 has been on the scene for nearly 3 years. This timeline has allowed for ongoing research, development, and innovation. As expected in the SSD realm, Phison was among the first to unveil a Gen 5 controller with its E26 controller and followed this with a few alternatives targeting enterprise and efficiency, like the DRAMless E31. Companies like Integrate and Silicon Motion soon joined the fray. This progression led numerous SSD brands to decide early on their Gen 5 SSD direction (and that’s without discussing in-house component brands like Samsung and WD). Concurrently, there were strides in storage efficiency and flash technology, resulting in increased layer counts and the possibility of denser storage while still upholding the high Gen 5 performance standards and expectations of durability and endurance. Given that these two Gen 5 SSDs are among the first wave in the market, their performance profiles are quite comparable. However, subtle differences in I/O metrics and durability might make some distinctions more significant than others in their head-to-head comparison. Here’s how the Seagate Firecuda 540 and Gigabyte Aorus 10000 stack up at the hardware level:

Feature	Seagate Firecuda 540	Gigabyte Aorus 10000
Manufacturer	Seagate	Gigabyte
Capacities	1TB, 2TB, 4TB	1TB, 2TB
PCIe Gen	PCIe Gen 5×4	PCIe Gen 5×4
Controller	Phison E26	Phison E26
NVMe Rev.	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0
NAND Type	3D TLC Micron B58R	3D TLC Micron B58R
NAND Layer	232L	232L
Heatsink	No (inc Heatshield)	Yes (Vented + 2x heatpipe)
Price Per TB	$148/TB (2TB)	$148/TB (2TB)
DWPD	0.55DWPD	0.38DWPD
MTBF	2 Million Hours	1.6 Million Hours
Warranty	5yrs + 3yrs Data Rec	5yrs

1TB Model Comparison:

Feature	Seagate Firecuda 540	Gigabyte Aorus 10000
Model ID	ZP1000GM3A004	AG510K1TB
Price	$189	$179
Seq Read Speed	9.5GB/s	9.5GB/s
Seq Write Speed	8.5GB/s	8.5GB/s
4K Random Read IOPS	1.3 Million	1.3 Million
4K Random Write IOPS	1.5 Million	1.5 Million
TBW	1000TBW	700TBW

2TB Model Comparison:

Feature	Seagate Firecuda 540	Gigabyte Aorus 10000
Model ID	ZP2000GM3A004	AG510K2TB
Price	$299	$340
Seq Read Speed	10GB/s	10GB/s
Seq Write Speed	10GB/s	9.5GB/s
4K Random Read IOPS	1.5 Million	1.5 Million
4K Random Write IOPS	1.5 Million	1.5 Million
TBW	2000TBW	1400TBW

4TB Model Comparison:

Feature	Seagate Firecuda 540	Gigabyte Aorus 10000
Model #	N/A	AG510K4TB
Price	N/A	$589
Seq Read Speed	N/A	10GB/s
Seq Write Speed	N/A	9.5GB/s
4K Random Read IOPS	N/A	1.3 Million
4K Random Write IOPS	N/A	1.5 Million
TBW	N/A	3000TBW

For those unfamiliar with SSD jargon, like DWPD, IOPS, and TBW, please refer to the video below. It will acquaint you with prevalent solid-state drive terms, aiding in grasping the nuanced differences between these two drives.

Both the Seagate Firecuda 540 and the Gigabyte Aorus 10000 Gen5 SSDs present themselves as top-tier choices in the SSD market. At a glance, many of their specifications might appear almost identical, but certain key differences might sway consumers in one direction or the other.

Heatsink and Cooling:
One of the most noticeable distinctions is in their cooling solutions. The Gigabyte Aorus 10000 comes equipped with an inclusive heatsink that boasts both a vented design and a dual heatpipe system. This can be crucial for power users who are concerned about thermals and the longevity of their SSD, especially when pushing their drives in high-intensity tasks. The Seagate Firecuda 540, while not having a full-fledged heatsink, does include a heatshield which offers some degree of thermal dissipation.

Capacity Choices:
For those prioritizing storage space, the Seagate Firecuda 540 emerges as a more flexible option. It offers a 4TB capacity variant which the Aorus 10000 does not. This could be a deciding factor for users who require substantial storage without wanting to compromise on the speed benefits of an NVMe SSD.

Warranty and Data Recovery:
When it comes to warranty, both drives offer a 5-year period. However, Seagate adds a unique value proposition with 3 years of data recovery services. This can be a lifesaver for professionals or individuals who store critical data, offering some peace of mind that, in the event of unforeseen issues, there’s an added layer of protection.

Price Points:
Though the price per TB is the same for the 2TB models, differences emerge in the individual model pricing. The Aorus 1TB model is slightly more wallet-friendly, while the 2TB variant of the Firecuda is more competitively priced. Depending on your budget and storage needs, this could be another factor to consider.

In wrapping up, the choice between the Seagate Firecuda 540 and the Gigabyte Aorus 10000 Gen5 will largely rest on individual priorities. If you’re after larger storage capacities and value the added security of data recovery services, the Firecuda stands out. Conversely, if superior cooling and slightly lower price points (in some capacities) are more your focus, then the Aorus could be your SSD of choice. In either case, both drives promise high performance and reliability, ensuring that users will be getting a top-notch product.

Seagate Firecuda 540 NVMe SSD	Gigabyte Aorus 10000 NVMe SSD
Check Amazon	Check Amazon

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Les disques SSD ont vu le jour dans les années 1950 et sont aujourd’hui devenus monnaie courante. De nombreux utilisateurs ont une connaissance de base de ce type de disque, mais le concept de surprovisionnement SSD (SSD Over-provisioning – OP) est encore confus.
En réalité, ce concept peut s’appliquer à n’importe quelle périphérique de mémoire flash.

Cet article complet détaille ce qu’est surprovisionnement et explique pourquoi il est nécessaire.
Enfin vous trouverez des formules pour calculer cette capacité d’espace disque supplémentaire.

Qu’est-ce que le surprovisionnement SSD

Le surprovisionnement (parfois orthographié OP, over provisioning ou overprovisioning) est la différence entre la capacité physique d’un SSD et la capacité logique présentée par le système d’exploitation (OS) comme disponible pour l’utilisateur.
Le surprovisionnement est représenté par un pourcentage de capacité supplémentaire par rapport à la capacité disponible pour l’utilisateur.

Le surprovisionnement est un espace d’échange permanent pour le contrôleur du SSD afin de gérer l’ensemble du trafic de données et le stockage des SSD.

Pour bien comprendre son intérêt, il faut comprendre le fonctionnement d’un SSD.
Un SSD est composé de mémoire flash NAND.
Chaque mémoire flash se compose de plusieurs blocs et chaque bloc comprend environ 128 pages.
Les données sont écrites par unités appelées pages (composées de plusieurs cellules). Cependant, la mémoire ne peut être effacée que par unités plus grandes appelées blocs (composés de plusieurs pages).
Si les données de certaines pages du bloc ne sont plus nécessaires, seules les pages contenant de bonnes données dans ce bloc sont lues et réécrites dans un autre bloc vide précédemment effacé.
Il s’agit d’un processus appelé garbage collection (GC).

Le processus de collecte des déchets implique la lecture et la réécriture des données dans la mémoire flash. Cela signifie qu’une nouvelle écriture de l’hôte nécessitera d’abord une lecture de l’ensemble du bloc, une écriture des parties du bloc qui contiennent encore des données valides, puis une écriture des nouvelles données, ce qui peut réduire considérablement les performances du système

Tous les disques SSD intègrent un certain niveau de garbage collection, mais ils peuvent différer quant au moment et à la vitesse d’exécution du processus.
Le garbage collection joue un rôle important dans l’amplification de l’écriture sur le disque SSD.

Pour résoudre ce problème, lors de la programmation du micrologiciel, les fabricants allouent un certain pourcentage de la capacité d’un disque SSD pour des opérations d’écriture supplémentaires ; cette capacité supplémentaire de surprovisionnement est appelée “over-provisioning“. Ce processus crée un espace d’échange permanent pour le contrôleur du SSD afin de gérer l’ensemble du trafic de données et le stockage des SSD.

Quels sont les avantages du surprovisionnement SSD

Voici les principaux intérêts de ce mécanisme :

• Réduire le temps nécessaire à la collecte des déchets (Garbage Collection) : ce mécanisme crée des blocs libres pour stocker temporairement des données tout en effaçant les blocs de données non valides. Dans ce cas, le surprovisionnement fournit aux contrôleurs l’espace libre supplémentaire nécessaire pour déplacer les données et permet une exécution plus rapide
• Amélioration des performances du SSD : L’OP offre au contrôleur flash un espace tampon supplémentaire pour gérer les cycles P/E et garantir qu’une opération d’écriture aura un accès immédiat à un bloc pré-effacé. Ainsi, l’overprovisioning augmente les performances des disques SSD et les maintient même dans le temps
• Augmenter la durée de vie des SSD : L’OP peut faire fonctionner les disques SSD de manière plus intelligente, de sorte que l’usure des disques SSD soit minimisée
• Réduction de la consommation d’énergie : Les contrôleur de disques SSD peut fonctionner rapidement, ce qui permet de réduire la consommation d’énergie des appareils pour accomplir les tâches.

De ce fait, certains utilitaires peuvent vous alerter lorsque l’espace SSD est trop faible.

Comment activer le surprovisionnement SSD (SSD Over-provisioning)

Pour activer ce mécanisme, utilisez l’utilitaire du constructeur du SSD :

• SSD Samsung Magician
• Intel Memory and Storage Tool (GUI)
• Crucial Storage Executive
• Kingston SSD Manager

Voici comment activer le surprovisionnement SSD (SSD Over-provisioning) :

• Lancez l’utilitaire et cherchez l’option dédiée
• Sélectionnez le SSD (si vous en avez plusieurs)
• Appliquez les paramètres d’Over Provisioning. Indiquez soit la taille d’espace, soit le pourcentage. Pour plus de détails suivez le paragraphe suivant de ce tutoriel

Comment calculer le surprovisionnement SSD

Pour bien comprendre, voici les termes utilisés :

• Capacité physique : la taille physique de votre SSD
• Capacité de l’utilisateur : l’espace disque que l’utilisateur peut utiliser pour stocker ses données
• % de surprovisionnement : est le pourcentage de surprovisionnement appliqué au disque

Calculer la taille du surprovisionnement en Go (Méthode 1)

La première méthode consiste à déterminer l’espace disque nécessaire pour le surprovisionnement.
Pour cela, vous pouvez appliquer la formule suivante :

Taille du SSD - (Taille du SSD * surprovisionnement en %)

Par exemple, pour un SSD de 512 Go, si on applique un surprovisionnement de 30%, on obtient :

512 Go * 0.3 = 153.6 Go

Enfin pour calculer la capacité utilisateur, on retranche celle-ci à la taille physique du SSD :

512 Go - 153.6 Go = 358.4 Go

Calculer la taille du surprovisionnement en pourcentage (Méthode 1)

Pour calculer le surprovisionnement en pourcentage, utilisez la formule suivante :

(Capacité physique - Capacité de l'utilisateur) / Capacité de l'utilisateur) * 100

Par exemple, lorsque 60 Go d’un disque SSD de 64 Go sont utilisés comme capacité utilisateur, 4 Go sont alloués au PO et le PO (%) est d’environ 7 % :

((64 - 60) / 60) * 100 = 6,6%

Tableau de référence des tailles de surprovisionnement

Capacité physique	Capacité de l’utilisateur	% de surprovisionnement	Classe d’application
64GB	60GB	7%	Lecture intensive
96GB	90GB	7%	Lecture intensive
128GB	120GB	7%	Lecture intensive
128GB	100GB	28%	Plus d’écriture intensive
256GB	240GB	7%	Lecture intensive
256GB	200GB	28%	Plus d’écriture intensive
512GB	480GB	7%	Lecture intensive
512GB	400GB	28%	Plus d’écriture intensive
1024GB	960GB	7%	Lecture intensive
1024GB	800GB	28%	Plus d’écriture intensive
2048GB	1800GB	14%	Lecture intensive
2048GB	1600GB	28%	Plus d’écriture intensive

L’article Activer et calculer le surprovisionnement SSD (Over-provisioning) est apparu en premier sur malekal.com.

Dans un précédent article, j’expliquais ce qu’est un SSD et comment il fonctionne.
Parmi les mécanismes pour assurer les meilleurs performances, on trouve le garbage collection et TRIM.
Vous demandez peut-être quel est l’intérêt et comment cela fonctionne ?

Lisez ce guide pour tout savoir sur le garbage collection et TRIM d’un SSD.

Qu’est-ce que le garbage collection

Chaque mémoire flash se compose de plusieurs blocs et chaque bloc comprend environ 128 pages.
Les données sont écrites par unités appelées pages (composées de plusieurs cellules). Cependant, la mémoire ne peut être effacée que par unités plus grandes appelées blocs (composés de plusieurs pages).
Si les données de certaines pages du bloc ne sont plus nécessaires, seules les pages contenant de bonnes données dans ce bloc sont lues et réécrites dans un autre bloc vide précédemment effacé.
Il s’agit d’un processus appelé garbage collection (GC).

Au fur et à mesure que l’hôte continue d’écrire, l’espace de stockage Flash diminue jusqu’à ce qu’il soit épuisé. Si ces données indésirables ne sont pas effacées à temps, il est impossible d’écrire sur le SSD.
Le SSD dispose d’un mécanisme interne de collecte des déchets, dont le principe de base consiste à rassembler les données valides de plusieurs blocs (données non inutiles, indiquées dans le carré vert ci-dessus) dans un nouveau bloc, puis à effacer les blocs pour créer de nouveaux blocs utilisables.

Le processus de collecte des déchets implique la lecture et la réécriture des données dans la mémoire flash. Cela signifie qu’une nouvelle écriture de l’hôte nécessitera d’abord une lecture de l’ensemble du bloc, une écriture des parties du bloc qui contiennent encore des données valides, puis une écriture des nouvelles données, ce qui peut réduire considérablement les performances du système.

Le processus Garbage Collection se produit automatiquement, généralement pendant une période d’inactivité du système ; il constitue une partie essentielle du fonctionnement du SSD.

Consultez ce lien pour plus de détails sur le fonctionnement du garbage collection :

Qu’est-ce que TRIM

TRIM est une commande de l’interface ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) qui permet au système d’exploitation d’indiquer au SSD les blocs de données qui ne sont plus nécessaires et peuvent être supprimés, ou qui sont marqués comme libres pour la réécriture. En d’autres termes, TRIM est une commande qui aide le système d’exploitation à savoir précisément où sont stockées les données que vous souhaitez déplacer ou supprimer.
De cette manière, le SSD ne peut accéder qu’aux blocs contenant les données.
En outre, chaque fois qu’une commande de suppression est émise par l’utilisateur ou le système d’exploitation, la commande TRIM efface immédiatement les pages ou les blocs où les fichiers sont stockés. Cela signifie que la prochaine fois que le système d’exploitation essaiera d’écrire de nouvelles données dans cette zone, il ne devra pas attendre de les avoir effacées.

Un disque dur à état solide qui n’utilise pas la fonction TRIM doit déplacer partiellement des éléments d’information importants, effacer tous les blocs qui les contiennent et, enfin, écrire les nouvelles données sur ces blocs. D’une part, cela signifie que les performances de l’appareil sont médiocres. D’autre part, cela signifie que le disque dur SSD effectue de nombreuses opérations d’effacement et de réécriture. Ces opérations s’accumulent et provoquent une usure rapide des puces de mémoire flash qui se trouvent à l’intérieur du disque SSD.

Le TRIM permet d’éviter ces deux problèmes en éliminant le besoin d’effacer et de réécrire continuellement de grandes parties de la mémoire. Au lieu de gérer des blocs entiers, un disque SSD compatible TRIM peut travailler avec des groupes de mémoire plus petits appelés pages.
De plus, chaque fois qu’une commande d’effacement est émise par le système d’exploitation ou l’utilisateur, le disque SSD envoie automatiquement une commande TRIM pour effacer l’espace de stockage en cours d’effacement. Cela garantit une vitesse d’écriture plus rapide lorsque de nouvelles données sont stockées dans cette zone.

En combinaison avec Garbage Collection, TRIM fonctionne pour nettoyer et organiser votre SSD, le rendant plus efficace et prolongeant sa durée de vie.

L’article SSD : Le garbage collection et TRIM est apparu en premier sur malekal.com.

Le SSD est un type de stockage avec mémoire flash devenu un standard sur les ordinateurs modernes.
Mais qu’est-ce qu’un SSD ?
Comment fonctionne un SSD ?

Dans ce guide complet, je réponds à toutes les questions pour tout savoir sur le SSD.

Qu’est-ce qu’un SSD (Solid State Drive)

Un SSD (Solid State Drive) est un dispositif de stockage de stockage similaire à un disque dur plus traditionnel, mais il diffère d’un HDD à la fois en termes de technologie et de performances.
Le dispositif de stockage SSD ne comporte pas de pièces mobiles et offre des temps d’accès quasi instantanés.
Avec les disques SSD, les données sont stockées dans des micropuces, ce qui les rend plus rapides.
Les disques SSD sont plus petits que les disques durs et peuvent même être montés directement sur la carte mère.
On peut dire qu’il s’agit d’une forme plus avancée et plus sophistiquée de clé USB.

Un disque dur SSD utilise de petites puces mémoire appelées mémoire flash pour stocker les données.
La mémoire flash est une mémoire non volatile, ce qui signifie qu’elle conserve les données même lorsqu’elle n’est pas alimentée. Cela signifie que, contrairement à un disque dur traditionnel, un disque SSD ne comporte aucune pièce mobile.

Comment fonctionne un SSD

Les SSD (Solid-State Drives) sont des disques durs constitués d’une matrice de puces de mémoire électronique à l’état solide. Il se compose d’une unité de contrôle, d’une unité de stockage en mémoire flash (puce FLASH, puce DRAM, puce NAND) et d’une unité de cache. Contrairement aux disques durs mécaniques, qui sont constitués de composants mécaniques tels que des disques et des têtes magnétiques, l’ensemble de la structure du SSD est constitué de puces électroniques et de cartes de circuits imprimés au lieu de dispositifs mécaniques.

Lors de l’accès aux données d’un SSD, le contrôleur du SSD envoie des signaux électroniques aux cellules de mémoire appropriées. Pour lire les données, le contrôleur détermine les cellules de mémoire spécifiques qui contiennent les informations demandées et mesure la charge électrique dans ces cellules. Une charge élevée représente une valeur binaire de “1”, tandis qu’une charge faible représente “0”.

Quelles sont les états de la mémoire flash

La mémoire flash se compose de blocs de données et ces blocs sont remplis d’éléments plus petits appelés pages.
Un disque SSD typique peut avoir des blocs de 512 Ko et des pages de 4 Ko.

Chaque mémoire flash se compose de plusieurs blocs et chaque bloc comprend environ 128 pages.

Il existe trois états dans lesquels une page saine peut se trouver sur un disque flash :

• Écrite : Les données du système d’exploitation ont été écrites sur la page
• Non écrite : La page est libre et peut être écrite par le système d’exploitation
• Invalide : La page contient des données, mais peut être écrasée par le système d’exploitation

Comme la modification ou la suppression d’une page prend du temps, le système d’exploitation met généralement à jour le système de fichiers pour indiquer que la page est disponible pour être écrasée, mais il n’en informe jamais le contrôleur de disque. Comme le contrôleur de disque ne sait jamais quelles pages contiennent des données réelles et quelles pages sont invalides, elles ne sont jamais supprimées. Normalement, cela accélère le processus car vous n’avez pas à passer par toute une routine de suppression des données réelles.

La mémoire flash a trois types d’opérations :

• Lecture de page
• Page écrite
• Effacement de bloc

Comment les données sont stockées dans le SSD

Mais l’écrasement d’une page invalide n’est pas aussi simple qu’on pourrait le penser.
Il s’avère que la mémoire flash doit écrire que sur des pages non écrites. Par conséquent, si une page est invalide, les données qu’elle contient doivent d’abord être supprimées, puis elle peut être réécrite. N’oubliez pas que les données contenues dans cette page invalide sont toujours présentes, le système de fichiers a marqué cette page comme étant disponible pour être réécrite.
Le contrôleur de disque n’a pas supprimé les informations contenues dans cette page.

Ici, nous avons un seul bloc avec toutes les pages non valides et deux pages écrites. Le système de fichiers du système d’exploitation nous indique que nous pouvons écrire sur n’importe quelle page, à l’exception des deux pages écrites, mais le contrôleur de disque doit d’abord supprimer les pages non valides.
Pour effacer une seule page, il faut copier le bloc entier dans la mémoire, effacer le bloc sur le disque, puis réécrire les pages dans la mémoire. Cela représente beaucoup de travail pour écrire quelques pages sur des cellules NAND qui devraient déjà être disponibles pour l’écriture.

Voyons un exemple de ce qui doit se passer pour écraser une seule page.

Dans la figure ci-dessous, les données valides du bloc X sont A, B, C et celles du bloc Y sont D, E, F et G. Les blocs rouges sont des données non valides.
Le mécanisme de ramassage des ordures (voir plus bas) consiste à trouver un bloc Z non écrit, puis à déplacer les données valides des blocs X et Y vers le bloc Z. Ainsi, les blocs X et Y ne contiennent pas de données valides et peuvent être effacés pour devenir deux blocs utilisables.

En supposant que l’hôte écrive 4 Ko de données (H), le SSD commence “la collecte des déchets” parce qu’il y a trop peu de blocs actuellement disponibles. Comme le montre la figure ci-dessus, le bloc X lit et écrit les pages A, B et C dans le bloc Z. Le bloc X est ensuite effacé pour écrire les données de l’hôte. Du point de vue de l’hôte, il n’écrit que 4 Ko de données. Mais il écrit en réalité 4 pages (la page A, B, C écrit le bloc Z, et 4 Ko de données H écrit le bloc X) à l’intérieur du disque SSD.

Nous avons ici un bloc unique avec toutes les pages non valides et deux pages écrites. Le système de fichiers du système d’exploitation nous indique que nous pouvons écrire sur n’importe quelle page, à l’exception des deux pages écrites, mais le contrôleur de disque doit d’abord supprimer les pages non valides.

Le bloc Y est libre et peut accueillir les données H.

Regardez à nouveau cette image. Lorsque vous recyclez le bloc X, il y a 3 pages valides, lisez et écrivez 3 pages pour compléter le recyclage du bloc entier ; lorsque vous recyclez le bloc Y, vous devez lire et écrire 4 pages valides. Il est évident qu’il est plus rapide de recycler le bloc X que le bloc Y. Cela illustre une vérité simple : moins il y a de données disponibles sur un bloc (plus il y a de déchets), plus il peut être recyclé rapidement.

Les composants et mécanismes importants d’un SSD

Le contrôleur de disque SSD

Le contrôleur est un élément essentiel d’un disque SSD. Il agit comme le “cerveau” du disque, gérant le stockage et la récupération des données, ainsi que les performances globales.

Un contrôleur de disque SSD reçoit des commandes du système hôte qui lui indiquent où lire ou écrire un élément de données.
Chaque fois qu’une page est écrite, le contrôleur du SSD trouve une page physique pour écrire les données . Cette carte est donc enregistrée dans le SSD au même moment. Grâce à ce mappage, la prochaine fois que l’appareil aura besoin de lire une page, le SSD saura où lire les données dans la mémoire flash.

Le contrôleur gère également la correction des erreurs, la collecte des déchets (nettoyage des données invalides ou supprimées) et divers algorithmes qui optimisent le placement des données et améliorent les vitesses de lecture et d’écriture.

Il fonctionne avec un micrologiciel (firmware) que l’éditeur peut mettre à jour.

Module DRAM pour du cache

Une petite quantité de mémoire volatile qui nécessite de l’énergie pour maintenir les données est utilisée comme mémoire cache pour les données à usage répété.

Le garbage collection et TRIM

Le garbage collection ou processus de collecte des déchets vise à libérer des blocs de données en recyclant les pages valides vers des blocs pour les compléter.
Le but est de libérer des blocs de données vides en optimisant l’utilisation des pages.
Moins il y a de données disponibles sur un bloc (plus il y a de déchets), plus il peut être recyclé rapidement.

Le TRIM permet d’éviter ces deux problèmes en éliminant le besoin d’effacer et de réécrire continuellement de grandes parties de la mémoire. Au lieu de gérer des blocs entiers, un disque SSD compatible TRIM peut travailler avec des groupes de mémoire plus petits appelés pages.

En combinaison avec Garbage Collection, TRIM fonctionne pour nettoyer et organiser votre SSD, le rendant plus efficace et prolongeant sa durée de vie.

Le processus Garbage Collection constitue une partie essentielle du fonctionnement du SSD.

le surprovisionnement SSD (SSD Over-provisioning)

Le surprovisionnement (parfois orthographié OP, over provisioning ou overprovisioning) est la différence entre la capacité physique d’un SSD et la capacité logique présentée par le système d’exploitation (OS) comme disponible pour l’utilisateur.
Le surprovisionnement est représenté par un pourcentage de capacité supplémentaire par rapport à la capacité disponible pour l’utilisateur.

Wear leveling (nivellement de l’usure)

Les cellules de mémoire flash ont une durée de vie limitée en termes de nombre de fois où elles peuvent être effacées et réécrites. Les disques SSD utilisent donc une technique appelée “wear leveling” (nivellement de l’usure) pour s’assurer que les données sont réparties uniformément sur toutes les cellules de mémoire disponibles, évitant ainsi une usure excessive de certaines d’entre elles.
Cela permet de prolonger la durée de vie globale et l’endurance du disque SSD.

Connectique SATA, M.2 PCIe et SSD NVMe

Les disques SSD se connectent à l’ordinateur par le biais de différentes interfaces, telles que SATA (Serial ATA) ou PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express). Ces interfaces permettent le transfert de données entre le disque SSD et la carte mère de l’ordinateur.

NVMe (de l’anglais NVM Express ou Non-Volatile Memory Express) est un protocole de communication conçu spécifiquement pour fonctionner avec la mémoire flash en utilisant l’interface PCIe. NVMe a été créé pour tirer avantage de la nature parallèle des SSD.

Les interfaces PCIe offrent généralement des taux de transfert de données plus élevés et sont couramment utilisées dans les disques SSD haute performance.

• En NVMe : La vitesse maximale est 5000 Mo/s mais en général 2000 à 2500 Mo/s
• En SATA : La vitesse est de 6 Gb/s soit ~500 Mo/s.

Quelle est la durée de vie d’un SSD et comment l’améliorer

Il existe de nombreux mythes entourant la durée de vie des SSD, et les hypothèses remontent aux débuts des SSD dans les années 1990 et au début des années 2000.
Il est vrai que les cellules SSD ont une durée de vie limitée, mais aujourd’hui ce n’est pas vraiment un problème.

Les écritures déclenchent l’usure des cellules mémoires d’un disque dur électronique.
Ainsi le contrôle SSD s’assurer que l’écriture se fait uniformément sur tout le disque.
Cela afin de limiter l’usure des cellules de mémoire.
Enfin les SSD modernes remplacent les cellules mortes par des cellules saines.
En claire donc, plus votre SSD est volumineuse, plus il aura une longévité.

De nos jours, une cellule SSD survit à environ 3 000 cycles d’écriture, ce qui ne sonne pas beaucoup au début.

Plus de détails :

L’article Qu’est-ce qu’un SSD (Solid State Drive) et comment ça marche est apparu en premier sur malekal.com.

Western Digital présente son dernier modèle de SSD NVMe M.2 destiné aux consoles mobiles, le SN770M.

L’article WD dédie son SSD SN770M aux consoles portables ROG Ally et Steam Deck est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.

Thunderbolt 5: The Future of Connectivity or an Overkill for Most Users?

As Thunderbolt 5 prepares to make its debut in 2024, many consumers are left wondering if this new technology is a significant advancement they should be anticipating or just another buzz that will fade away. This doubt intensifies especially when considering the lukewarm user engagement with Thunderbolt 4. Many attributed the tepid reception to its speed similarities with Thunderbolt 3, and the pandemic-induced hardware shortages further hampered the availability of Thunderbolt 4-enabled devices. However, Thunderbolt 5 promises enhanced speeds and more power, but do users genuinely need it?

Thunderbolt 5 Highlights:

• Two times the total bi-directional bandwidth; Bandwidth Boost provides up to three times the throughput for video-intensive usage, up to 120 Gbps.
• Double the PCI Express data throughput for faster storage and external graphics.
• Built on industry standards including USB4 V2, DisplayPort 2.1 and PCI Express Gen 4; fully compatible with previous versions.
• Double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt Networking for high-speed PC-to-PC connections.
• Utilizes a new signaling technology, PAM-3, to deliver these significant increases in performance with today’s printed circuit boards, connectors and passive cables up to 1 meter.

All About the Speed: Thunderbolt 5’s Promise Thunderbolt 5, Intel’s forthcoming connection technology, integrates the foundation of USB 4 version 2, making it possible to transfer data at a staggering 80Gbps—twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4. For gamers and creative professionals, this means the ability to connect high-resolution 8K monitors to their computing devices. Notably, Thunderbolt 5 can boost speeds up to 120Gbps for PCs-to-peripherals connections, albeit halving the return speed to 40Gbps.

Despite the impressive speed boost, average laptop users may not find a compelling use case for such advanced speeds, even if it can support larger monitors and high-end storage systems. But for those involved in intensive graphic design, gaming, and other high-demand activities, this speed bump could prove invaluable.

A Deep Dive: Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 The preceding Thunderbolt 4 became a staple for devices, especially in Intel and Apple laptops, since its introduction. However, Thunderbolt 5 is set to dethrone its predecessor with several significant upgrades:

• Bandwidth Boost: With up to 120Gbps in boosted mode, Thunderbolt 5 offers up to three times more bandwidth than Thunderbolt 4. This advancement means users can connect to multiple 8K HDR monitors or achieve gaming experiences with up to 580Hz displays.
• PCIe SSD Speeds: Made possible with Thunderbolt 5 support, via docking stations, TB5 allows plenty of bandwidth to play with! In preview testing on the official Intel YouTube channel (HERE) we saw a singe 8GB test file on a GEN4 SSD via a TB5 docking station hit  6,223MB/s and 5,383MB/s Sequential Read/Write in CrystalDiskMark via an 8GB test file: 

   

  Click to view slideshow.
• Display Streams: Thanks to increased bandwidth, Thunderbolt 5 can stream to three 4K monitors simultaneously at 144Hz.
• Charging Power: Another notable feature is the support for up to 240W charging. This introduces the potential for gaming laptops to solely rely on a Thunderbolt 5 port for charging.
• Device Integration: While Thunderbolt 5 might sound exciting, it’s expected to feature primarily in high-end creative or gaming devices. This suggests that Thunderbolt 4 will remain a standard feature in many devices for the foreseeable future. Though Thunderbolt technology has been presented as royalty-free software, suggesting its potential adoption in devices like AMD or Snapdragon, it’s expected that Intel and Apple devices will continue to dominate its use.

The imminent arrival of Thunderbolt 5 brings with it the promise of faster speeds, increased power, and better compatibility for high-end users. Yet, considering the history of its predecessor, one must wonder if the average user truly needs such advanced capabilities. Only time will tell if Thunderbolt 5 becomes a mainstream necessity or remains a luxury for the few.

	THUNDERBOLT 5	THUNDERBOLT 4	USB4	USB 3.2
Data transfer rate	Up to 120 Gbps	Up to 80 Gbps	Minimum of 20 Gbps, 40 Gbps is optional.120 Gbps is optional with USB4 Version 2.0	5 Gbps (Gen 1), 10 Gbps (Gen 2), or 20 Gbps (Gen 2×2)
PC video requirements	Dual 6K	Dual 4K	One monitor	One monitor
PC data requirements*	PCIe: 64Gbps USB 3: 10Gbps**	PCIe: 32Gbps USB 3: 10Gbps	USB 3: 10Gbps	USB 3: 5Gbps
Required PC charging on at least one computer port	Required up to 140 W, available up to 240 W	Required up to 100 W, available up to 140 W	Available up to 240 W	Available up to 240 W
Required PC wake	Yes	Yes	No	No
Minimum PC port power for accessories	15 W	15 W	7.5 W	4.5 W
PC to PC networking*	64Gbps	32Gbps	N/A	N/A
Intel VT-d-based DMA protection required	Yes	Yes	No	No

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

[Deal du jour] Le FireCuda 530 est un SSD de Seagate conçu pour PC et PS5. Il permet d’augmenter le stockage de votre ordinateur et de la console de Sony, et de booster légèrement les performances. Le modèle 1 To avec dissipateur de chaleur est en promotion.  [Lire la suite]

Abonnez-vous aux newsletters Numerama pour recevoir l’essentiel de l’actualité https://www.numerama.com/newsletter/

Au moment de monter son PC gaming ou d’étendre la capacité de stockage de sa console de jeu, les joueurs sont confrontés à une vaste palette de choix, et il est parfois difficile de comprendre quelles sont les différences entre les solutions disponibles sur le marché, et lesquelles correspondent le mieux à vos besoins. En optant pour un SSD Samsung, vous êtes sûr de ne pas être déçu de ses performances.

L’article Pourquoi les SSD de Samsung sont les meilleurs alliés des gamers ? est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.

Review of the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB NVMe SSD

Samsung 990 Pro SSD Review – Quick Conclusion

When it comes to the performance numbers stated by Samsung for their 990 Pro 4TB SSD, they pretty much live up to the hype. To reach these dizzying heights, you will, of course, need a peak-level machine. However, even on more common PC architectures and, in particular, the PS5, you’re going to see numbers that come quite close. Additionally, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD upholds its high reputation in terms of 4K random performance. It’s evident that Samsung has prioritized this both commercially and for consumers, leading to this SSD showcasing impressive early random IO numbers right from the start. The main concern for many will be the price point. At launch, it’s slightly more expensive compared to other Gen 4 SSDs that offer similar performance. Yet, due to its longer market presence and wider availability, it’s priced 10 to 15% lower! There’s also the emerging Gen 5 tier of SSDs to consider. While they’re still somewhat challenging for most PC architectures to fully utilize in terms of the lofty performance numbers they promise, their prices are starting to drop. If your system supports Gen 5 right off the bat, would it be wiser to opt for a Gen 5 SSD? The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD might have performed even better if it had launched simultaneously with the 1TB and 2TB versions in October 2022. Moreover, this SSD tends to run hot, even with a decent heatsink attached. Peculiar choices in NAND distribution and consumer concerns earlier this year—due to firmware issues identified on several Samsung products—all contribute to the perception that the Samsung 990 Pro had a somewhat shaky launch.

In conclusion, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD is a high-performing drive that delivers as promised. It’s a high-quality product engineered by SSD market professionals and comes with support and a warranty that is nearly unparalleled when compared to cheaper vendors. However, be prepared to pay a premium. It’s priced at a point that the market, which is beginning to view it as “last-gen,” may not be quite ready to accept.

Samsung 990 Pro SSD Review – Packaging

The external packaging of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD is near enough identical to that of the Samsung 980 Pro, with Samsung’s stylized branding for the series out in full force.

The retail packaging also makes plenty of noise about the promised performance on the 990 Pro, with information on the front about the promised maximum 7450MB/s Seq Read and further details on the back regarding the durability, IOPS and further hardware specifications. Again, all this will be massively familiar to anyone who has purchased a Samsung SSD previously.

The contents of the retail package are pretty light, with the 990 Pro SSD arriving on its own in a plastic protective shell and just a document regarding the 5-year inclusive warranty. If you were to purchase the heatsink-equipped version (slightly more expensive), that arrives pre-attached at the factory level.

On its own, the Samsung 990 Pro is quite a modest-looking drive and even in the 4TB capacity module that was featured for this review, only a single side of the SSD is occupied by chips/components on the PCB – something I will touch on later.

That is really all you can say about the packaging and presentation of the Samsung 990 Pro. It is quite a modest kit and most of the value/impression of this device is left to the hardware onboard and how that translates to performance. Let’s take a closer look at the drive itself.

Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD Review – Design

The Samsung 990 Pro SSD is a PCIe Gen 4×4 M.2 Key NVMe SSD that is completely backwards compatible with PCIe Gen 3×4 SSD slots where necessary (though crucially not M.2 SATA) that improves upon the architecture of the Samsung 980 Pro in a few key areas to produce a higher performance point in most of the key areas you want/need. Running on NVMe 2.0 architecture, the drive is reported to be the fastest PCIe m.2 SSD that Samsung has ever produced and manages to saturate a maximum 7,450MB of the potential 8,000MB of PCIe 4×4 lanes.

The top of the SSD has the large ‘Samsung 990 Pro’ label that you do NOT need to remove when in operation (with or with a heatsink). Removing this label shows us a tightly packed arrangement of components/cells on the SSDs PCB. An SSD is not unlike a PC in it’s architecture, with a Controller (CPU), DRAM (Memory) and NAND (storage space). There are additional power/transistors in place to aid smooth operation, but ultimately these are the key components we need to focus on.

As mentioned earlier, if we flip the SSD over, we can see that this 2TB SSD is single-sided (i.e just a bare board on the back). Most 4TB Gen4 SSDs are double-sided, arriving with 4x 1TB NAND modules and an additional DDR4 Memory module, but this 4TB does an excellent job of keeping things nice and compact, whilst allowing much more direct, manageable and efficient heat dissipation. Something we will DEFINITELY touch on later. The base of the SSD also has an additional heat should/spreader to assist the heat that is passing through the PCB effectively. This is of particular use for users looking to install a more compact 4TB Gen4 SSD, such as a laptop. Having everything on a single side does result in other factors though to approach, which we will get into in a bit.

The 990 Pro also benefits from being a completely first-party/in-house SSD. Many PCIe 4 SSDs that have arrived on the scene in the last two years can be broken down into two strict camps. The larger one is made up of brands such as Seagate, Sabrent, ADATA, Patriot and more who rely on 3rd party companies such as Phison and Innogrit to provide components (eg SSD controllers). The other smaller camp in the world of SSDs is comprised of brands such as Western Digital, Samsung and Crucial who tend to rely much more (often exclusively) on first-party controllers and NAND for their drives, allowing them to craft media that is much more precise in it’s execution, as well as allows them better quality control, supply and pricing. There are benefits to either approach in SSD design, but many users like the idea of a near complete or near enough completely in-house designed SSD.

Samsung 990 Pro 4TB PCB	Samsung 980 Pro 2TB PCB

So that is the physical design of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD. But what about the hardware components themselves? Does the Samsung 990 Pro SSD change things up much from the S980 Pro? Let’s find out.

Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD Review – Hardware Specifications

The Samsung 990 Pro SSD is highly comparable to the older Samsung 980 Pro, but with a few improvements along the way. Here is how the SSDs stack up in initial hardware specifications vs smaller capacities:

	1TB	2TB	4TB
Model	Samsung SSD 990 PRO/990 PRO w/HS	Samsung SSD 990 PRO/990 PRO w/HS	Samsung SSD 990 PRO/990 PRO w/HS
Usage	Application Client PCs, PS5	Application Client PCs, PS5	Application Client PCs, PS5
Interface	PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0	PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0	PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0
Controller	Samsung in-house Controller	Samsung in-house Controller	Samsung in-house Controller
NAND Flash Memory	Samsung V-NAND TLC	Samsung V-NAND TLC	Samsung V-NAND TLC
DRAM Cache Memory	1GB LPDDR4	2GB LPDDR4	4GB LPDDR4
Dimension	M.2 Max 80.0 x Max 22 x Max 2.3 mm	M.2 Max 80.0 x Max 22 x Max 2.3 mm	M.2 Max 80.0 x Max 22 x Max 2.3 mm
Heatsink	Max 80.15 x Max 25 x Max 8.88 mm	Max 80.15 x Max 25 x Max 8.88 mm	Max 80.15 x Max 25 x Max 8.88 mm
Form Factor	M.2 (2280)	M.2 (2280)	M.2 (2280)
Sequential Read	7,450 MB/s	7,450 MB/s	7,450 MB/s
Sequential Write	6,900 MB/s	6,900 MB/s	6,900 MB/s
QD 1 Thread 1 Ran. Read	22K IOPS	22K IOPS	22K IOPS
QD 1 Thread 1 Ran. Write	80K IOPS	80K IOPS	80K IOPS
QD 32 Thread 16 Ran. Read	1,200K IOPS	1,400K IOPS	1,600K IOPS
QD 32 Thread 16 Ran. Write	1,550K IOPS	1,550K IOPS	1,550K IOPS
Idle (APST on)	50mW	55mW	55mW
Active Read	5.5 W	6.1W	6.5W
Active Write	5.2 W	5.5W	5.7W
L1.2 mode	5 mW	5.8mW	5.8mW
Temp. Operating	0°C to 70°C	0°C to 70°C	0°C to 70°C
Non-Operating	-40°C to 85°C	-40°C to 85°C	-40°C to 85°C
Humidity	5% to 95% non-condensing	5% to 95% non-condensing	5% to 95% non-condensing
Shock Non-Operating	1,500G(Gravity), 0.5ms, 3 axis	1,500G(Gravity), 0.5ms, 3 axis	1,500G(Gravity), 0.5ms, 3 axis
Vibration Non-Operating	20~2,000Hz, 20G	20~2,000Hz, 20G	20~2,000Hz, 20G
MTBF	1.5 million hours	1.5 million hours	1.5 million hours
Warranty TBW	600TB	1,200TB	2,400TB
Warranty Period	5 years limited	5 years limited	5 years limited
Features	TRIM, Garbage Collection, S.M.A.R.T	TRIM, Garbage Collection, S.M.A.R.T	TRIM, Garbage Collection, S.M.A.R.T
Data Security	AES 256-bit FDE, TCG/Opal V2.0, ED	AES 256-bit FDE, TCG/Opal V2.0, ED	AES 256-bit FDE, TCG/Opal V2.0, ED

I know the above might seem needlessly technical, so below we can bring the most important considerations into sharper focus.

Hardware Focus of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD

The onboard SSD controller of the Samsung 990 Pro is a little bit of a mystery (at least at the time of writing this article). Arriving with the the Samsung Pascal controller, this is practically no 100% official information online currently about this component. This is not unusual, as Samsung are famously secretive about the make-up of its components (compared with the bulk of SSD brands that rely on controllers developed by Phison or Innogrit). At best guess, this SSD controller is an improvement/variation of Samsung Elipsis Controller found in the SN980 Pro. Almost certainly further information on this controller will arrive as this SSD enters circulation and I will update this area of the review with more (with references etc). In terms of performance (covered in more detail later) it still maintained a similar level of sustained Read activity as the WD Black SN850X throughout testing, but with a clear and substantial increase in write performance in our modest test machine.

This controller is also accompanied by 4GB of LPDDR4 DRAM that scales alongside the storage capacity of the already released models (i.e 1GB DDR4 > 1TB Capacity, 2GB DDR4 > 2TB Capacity). This already puts it at a tremendous advantage over the Samsung 980 Pro with the additional memory at this capacity. This combined with an improved controller likely results in this drive providing the best sustained performance possible in a Samsung m.2 NVMe SSD yet

The storage NAND used by the 990 Pro is 176L Samsung V-NAND TLC. The older Samsung 980 Pro  arrived at 96L at launch (likely improved over time) and the recently released WD Black SN850X arrived with 112-layer BiCS 3D TLC memory. I’ll revisit this area of the review later and update as more details on this are revealed. But with many Gen5 SSDs in the market now at the 232L NAND layer count, this is ‘good’ for Gen4, but now looking a pinch overshadowed.

While it might seem like a minor point, I want to specifically address the configuration of the 4TB SSDs. I find it somewhat unusual that this drive is equipped with two singular NAND modules, each of 2TB. Most 4TB drives in the market feature a double-sided design with both NAND and DRAM distributed on both sides. This not only aids in more even heat dissipation but also allows for simultaneous reading and writing to multiple NAND modules, often leading to enhanced performance. While having additional NAND modules can sometimes vary I/O numbers, this is largely dependent on the controller and is usually negligible.

Furthermore, some SSDs are manufactured with fewer NAND modules because it’s more cost-effective to produce a smaller number of larger-capacity modules than more numerous lower-capacity modules distributed on both the front and back. This is why it struck me as odd that the Samsung 990 Pro, at 4TB, is single-sided. On the plus side, this design will be a boon for those wanting to install the drive in more compact laptops with limited space, making a large Gen 4 SSD accessible for their systems. However, this configuration likely results in increased heat during operation (an observation we made firsthand, both with and without a heatsink). And even though Samsung has included a heat shield at the base of the drive to facilitate heat dissipation through the PCB components, their decision still surprises me. Yet, what’s even more astounding is that Samsung manages to achieve these high-performance numbers with this specific single-sided NAND layout. So, if it’s effective, should I critique it? Probably not. My primary concern leans more towards the accumulated heat rather than the NAND distribution and performance, especially if the drive consistently delivers the numbers we’ve observed.

Overall, in terms of hardware on board,the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD is unquestionably a high-end M.2 SSD that is designed for client PCs, industry and the PlayStation 5, leveraging the power of PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 and NVMe 2.0 interfaces. Improvements on the hardware side over the 980 Pro might seem small, but they ARE significant. Now, seeing this improved with substantial 4TB capacity with an in-house Samsung controller, V-NAND TLC flash memory, and a whopping 4GB LPDDR4 DRAM cache memory is altogether very pleasing! Its compact form factor and sleek design, with dimensions of M.2 Max 80.0 x Max 22 x Max 2.3 (mm) for the drive itself and an additional heatsink option that slightly increases these measurements, make it suitable for both desktops and more compact laptops. Notably, the SSD achieves exceptional sequential read and write speeds of 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively. However, it’s not without its concerns. The decision to implement a single-sided 4TB design with two 2TB NAND modules raised eyebrows, especially given potential heat distribution implications. Yet, despite these reservations and some initial firmware hiccups, the Samsung 990 Pro establishes itself as a performance powerhouse in the SSD market, albeit at a potentially premium price point.

Note, if you need more guidance on SSD terminology and short-hand, here is a handy video on that:

The Samsung 990/980 Pro SSD Firmware Issue – Are Things Safe Now?

I touched on this earlier, but it warrants further emphasis. In early 2023, reports began surfacing that the Samsung 980 and 990 Pro SSDs were showing signs of degrading health, as indicated by S.M.A.R.T. tests and the Samsung Magician application. It’s not unusual for SSDs to show declining health over time, primarily because NAND flash memory doesn’t possess the same long-term durability as mechanical media. However, to see such degradation, one would typically need to be using the drive intensely and with high storage volumes consistently — much more than the reported warranty and lifespan issued by Samsung. Despite this expectation, users reported that even drives only weeks or months old were showing decreasing health values.

After some back-and-forth with the company, it was eventually identified as a firmware issue. Samsung issued an update that prevented the problem from reoccurring. Yet, many users online have mentioned that while the updated firmware stopped the degradation, it didn’t reverse the existing diminished health values on their drives, as indicated by the Samsung Magician and S.M.A.R.T. tests. Samsung is still addressing this with affected users, in some cases offering replacements and in others providing refunds. It’s essential to note that this is no longer a concern with the current firmware, and any Samsung 990 Pro SSD manufactured in the past six months will have this updated firmware. Nonetheless, this incident might have influenced some potential buyers’ perceptions of future Samsung SSD purchases. I felt it was crucial to mention this in the review for the sake of a balanced perspective. For more details on this issue, you can watch the video below:

Testing the Samsung 990 Pro m.2 PCIE4 NVMe SSD

The Samsung 990 Pro 2TB was provided by Samsung for this test and it was tested using multiple benchmark tools, from a cold boot, in the 2nd storage slot (i.e not the OS drive). Each test was conducted three times (full details of this are shown in the YouTube Review of the Samsung 990 Pro over on NASCompares):

Test Machine:

• Windows 10 Pro Desktop System
• Intel i5 11400 Rocket Lake – 6-Core 2.6/4.4Ghz
• 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory
• Intel B560M mATX Motherboard
• OS Storage, Seagate Firecuda 120 SSD
• Test SSD connected to Secondary PCIe Gen 4 M.2 Slot

Here is the Video Review of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD and PC Benchmarks:

Using CrystalDisk, we got a good measure of the drive and verified that this PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSD was indeed using the 4×4 lane. Additionally, the temp averaged out around 55C between each test being conducted, with the drive being encased in a sabrent chunky heatsink. Much like the Samsung 980 Pro, this new entry into the Samsung series certainly ran quite hot. Here are the test results throughout the testing WITH a heatsink:

Here is the breakdown of the drive setup using CrystalDiskInfo for guidance:

The first tests were conducted using the ATTO disk benchmark software. The first was a 256MB test file size and below is a breakdown of the transfer rates and IOPS. The 2nd Test was a 1GB test file and finally, the last test was with a 4GB test file. The system was given 1-minute cool downtime between tests, no screen recording software was used (remove overhead) and a heatsink was used throughout (no reboots). Write performance continued to impress throughout, but the read performance was a pinch lower than expected, likely down to the i5 in the system compared with the Xeon/Ryzens that many Manf brands choose to max-benchmark their drives with

ATTO Disk Benchmark Test #1

256MB File PEAK Read Throughput  = 6.75GB/s

256MB File PEAK Write Throughput = 6.30GB/s

 

---

 

ATTO Disk Benchmark Test #2

1GB File PEAK Read Throughput  = 6.73GB/s

1GB File PEAK Write Throughput = 6.31GB/s

 

---

 

ATTO Disk Benchmark Test #3

4GB File PEAK Read Throughput  = 6.71GB/s

4GB File PEAK Write Throughput = 6.30GB/s

 

---

 

Next, although the ATTO tests were quite good, I moved on to the Crystal Disk Mark testing to see how well it would handle our next barrage of tests. The first test was the 1GB file testing, which measured both sequential and random, as well as the read and write IOPS. Test were conducted on a 1GB, 4GB and 16GB Test File. I also included a mixed 70/30 read and write task to give a little bit more of a realistic balanced workload. These tests were conducted with 1-minute cooling break in between. The Samsung 990 Pro did not crack the 7,000MB/s threshold on the mid-range test PC (just in the 1GB test), but once again, the Write performance was very impressive indeed, especially those IO/IOPS!

CRYSTALDISK MARK 1GB TEST

---

CRYSTALDISK MARK 4GB TEST

---

CRYSTALDISK MARK 16GB TEST

Next, I switched to AS SSD benchmark. A much more thorough test through, I used 1GB, 3GB and 5GB test files. Each test includes throughput benchmarks and IOPS that are respective to the larger file sizes (important, if you are reading this and trying to compare against the reported 4K IOPS from the manufacturer).

AS SSD Benchmark Test #1

 

---

AS SSD Benchmark Test #2

 

---

AS SSD Benchmark Test #3

Ordinarily, I would introduce tests like Magic and AJA into the mix here, but even a short burst of testing on an NVMe like this would over saturate the cache memory on board. Nevertheless, in the short term we still could ascertain the reported performance on 1GB, 4GB and 16GB file testing was:

1GB 5K AJA File Test Results (Peak) = 5694MB/s Read & 5606MB/s Write

4GB 5K AJA File Test Results (Peak) = 5718MB/s Read & 564MB/s Write

16GB 5K AJA File Test Results (Peak) = 5954MB/s Read & 5619MB/s Write

Overall, the Samsung 990 Pro was certainly able to provide some solid performance, as well as potentially exceed the test figures here on a more powerful machine. Given the reported Read and Write statistics that the brand has stated publically, I think there is enough evidence here to back up those claims. IOPs were a little lower than I expected, but again, we were testing very large file types, so this would have to be taken in context. I do wish most SSD brands provided benchmarks for different tiers of systems, rather than only stating the systems at the very, VERY top end. It makes sense, to run the drive in a system without any potential bottlenecks, but a 2nd or even 3rd round of test results that cover more mid-range or domestic systems would give users better scope of the drive’s potential in their own setup. Nevertheless, the peak performance of the Samsung 990 Pro was still exceptionally high AND sustained in my mid tier test machine and certainly a great indication that this drive will consistently live in the 6,500MB/s+ area in read/write in even the most modest setups.

Samsung 990 Pro SSD Review – Conclusion

When it comes to the performance numbers stated by Samsung for their 990 Pro 4TB SSD, they pretty much live up to the hype. To reach these dizzying heights, you will, of course, need a peak-level machine. However, even on more common PC architectures and, in particular, the PS5, you’re going to see numbers that come quite close. Additionally, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD upholds its high reputation in terms of 4K random performance. It’s evident that Samsung has prioritized this both commercially and for consumers, leading to this SSD showcasing impressive early random IO numbers right from the start. The main concern for many will be the price point. At launch, it’s slightly more expensive compared to other Gen 4 SSDs that offer similar performance. Yet, due to its longer market presence and wider availability, it’s priced 10 to 15% lower! There’s also the emerging Gen 5 tier of SSDs to consider. While they’re still somewhat challenging for most PC architectures to fully utilize in terms of the lofty performance numbers they promise, their prices are starting to drop. If your system supports Gen 5 right off the bat, would it be wiser to opt for a Gen 5 SSD? The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD might have performed even better if it had launched simultaneously with the 1TB and 2TB versions in October 2022. Moreover, this SSD tends to run hot, even with a decent heatsink attached. Peculiar choices in NAND distribution and consumer concerns earlier this year—due to firmware issues identified on several Samsung products—all contribute to the perception that the Samsung 990 Pro had a somewhat shaky launch.

In conclusion, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD is a high-performing drive that delivers as promised. It’s a high-quality product engineered by SSD market professionals and comes with support and a warranty that is nearly unparalleled when compared to cheaper vendors. However, be prepared to pay a premium. It’s priced at a point that the market, which is beginning to view it as “last-gen,” may not be quite ready to accept.

PROs of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD	CONs of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD
High Performance, even in mid-range PC hardware Excellent improvements in Write Performance vs the 980 PRO 4TB option is finally available in the Samsung series (long overdue) New 990 Pro entry into the Samsung PCIe4 family will improve price structure positively for the  980/980 Pro Industry-leading Gen4 IOPS rating Fantastic performance, yet single-sided!	Still runs quite hot, much like the 980 pro, so heatsink is essential here Gen5 is slowly becoming more affordable, yet this arrives quite spicy (even for 4TB) The durability, though good, is still not quite as high as other SSDs in the market The 990 Series suffered firmware issues at the start of 2022

 

Essencore dévoile sous sa marque KLEVV la gamme de SSD CRAS C910 Lite. Elle se compose de 4 modèles capables de profiter de l’interface PCIe 4.0.

Cet article KLEVV annonce la gamme de SSD CRAS C910 Lite a été publié en premier par GinjFo.

A Beginner’s Guide to NAS featuring Terramaster

NAS, or Network-Attached Storage, is a term that many tech enthusiasts swear by, yet for many, it remains an enigma. If you’ve ever wished for a more streamlined way to store, access, and manage your data, then a NAS might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This guide will specifically delve into Terramaster’s offerings in the NAS sector, helping you understand and make informed decisions.

What is a NAS?

In simple terms, a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) is a storage device connected to a network. Think of it as a personal cloud right in your home or office. Unlike a regular hard drive that connects directly to a computer, a NAS connects to your home or business network, allowing multiple users and devices to access and store data.

Here’s why it’s handy:

1. Centralized Storage: Store all your media, documents, and other data in one place.
2. Accessibility: Access your files from anywhere as long as you’re connected to the network.
3. Backup: Automatic backups of your precious data, and even your entire PC or Mac.
4. Media Streaming: Stream your stored media directly to various devices.
5. Expandability: Easily add more storage as your needs grow.

Terramaster is one of the brands that has excelled in delivering efficient and cost-effective NAS solutions. With an intuitive operating system and robust hardware options, Terramaster’s NAS offerings cater to both beginners and advanced users.

Why Not Use Cloud Services like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox instead of a NAS?

Do not think that 3rd party cloud services are bad, they really aren’t! In fact, you should always consider adding a 2nd or 3rd tier into your backup strategy at home/work, and synchronization of files/folders on your NAS with the cloud is a good means to ensure you have another backup in place. Additionally, most NAS feature a variety of 256bit encryption options, password protection, 2 step verification and more to allow secure access is ensured to the NAS and the content, even via the cloud. Additionally, big NAS brands have been supporting Hybrid Cloud services that not only allow cloud storage to be bolted onto your NAS storage for shared usage and access, but also both brand support backup and synchronization with cloud collaborate services, such as Google’s G Suite and Microsoft’s Office 365. So there is DEFINITELY still a valid and useful place for 3rd party cloud services in 2023, however, I rarely advocate the use of these cloud services as a PRIMARY storage location. They ARE convenient and you can get a limited amount of space included for free, but I generally have three core reasons that I do not recommend cloud as a first-tier storage.

Storage Considerations with Terramaster

When contemplating storage for your NAS, especially with a brand like Terramaster, here are some considerations:

1. Hard Drive vs. SSD: Traditionally, NAS devices have used Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) because of their larger storage capacities and lower costs. However, Solid State Drives (SSDs) are gaining popularity due to faster read/write speeds and reliability. Terramaster supports both, but the choice depends on your needs. If speed is crucial, SSDs are the way to go, but if you need more storage at a lower price, HDDs are still very relevant.
2. Redundancy (RAID): Redundancy ensures data is not lost if one drive fails. Terramaster supports various RAID configurations. For beginners, the most common are RAID 1 (mirroring) and RAID 5 (striping with parity). RAID 1 requires two drives, duplicating data on both. If one fails, the other takes over. RAID 5 requires at least three drives and combines their storage into one ‘pool’, while still ensuring data safety.

Click to view slideshow.

1. Drive Capacity: Depending on the amount of data you plan to store, you’ll need to choose the right drive capacities. Terramaster’s NAS models support varying numbers of bays (places to put a drive). Think about your future needs as well; it’s often wiser to invest in a model with more bays than you currently need.
2. Drive Health Monitoring: Terramaster’s OS includes utilities to monitor drive health, helping predict potential drive failures. Regularly checking this can help prevent unexpected data loss.

1GbE, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE: What’s the difference?

One of the important considerations when setting up a NAS is the network speed. Here, the terms 1GbE, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE often come up. But what do they mean?

Simply put, these terms refer to network speeds:

• 1GbE (1 Gigabit Ethernet): Offers speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
• 2.5GbE (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet): Offers speeds up to 2.5 gigabits per second.
• 10GbE (10 Gigabit Ethernet): Offers speeds up to 10 gigabits per second.

Click to view slideshow.

Now, why should you care? The speed determines how fast you can read or write data to your NAS. If you’re a videographer working with 4K videos, for instance, you’d benefit from faster speeds like 10GbE. For regular home use, 1GbE might suffice.

However, remember that just having a 10GbE NAS isn’t enough. Your entire network, including routers and switches, must also support the desired speeds.

Terramaster provides NAS models with varying Ethernet capabilities. So, depending on your need for speed and budget, there’s a model for you.

Choosing Between Terramaster Desktop and Rackmount NAS

When delving deeper into the world of Network-Attached Storage (NAS), you’ll quickly discover that the physical form factor of the device can vary greatly. Two of the most common types of NAS are the desktop-based and the rackmount configurations. While Terramaster predominantly focuses on desktop NAS solutions, understanding the distinction between these two forms can help you make an informed choice tailored to your specific needs.

Understanding the Basics of Rackmount and Desktop NAS

Before we dive into the pros and cons of each type, it’s vital to understand the fundamental differences:

1. Desktop NAS: As the name implies, these are designed to sit on a desk or a shelf. They are typically more compact, stand-alone, and look like larger external hard drives.
2. Rackmount NAS: These are designed to be mounted in standardized rack cabinets commonly found in data centers and server rooms. They come in a form factor to fit the horizontal racks, usually expressed in ‘rack units’ or U (e.g., 1U, 2U, 4U).

Desktop NAS: Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Compactness: They are perfect for small offices or homes with limited space. Their design is generally aesthetically pleasing, allowing them to blend seamlessly with other office devices or even home décor.
2. Portability: Easier to move around if needed, making them suitable for dynamic environments or places with changing setups.
3. Ease of Use: Most desktop NAS devices are plug-and-play. They often require minimal setup, perfect for those who may not have advanced IT skills.
4. Cost: Generally, desktop NAS devices are more affordable, making them an excellent choice for small businesses or personal use.

Cons:

1. Limited Scalability: Given their size and design, there’s a limit to how many drives or additional components you can add.
2. Cooling and Noise: Some desktop NAS models, especially those with multiple drives, may generate more noise and heat, as they lack the extensive cooling systems found in larger rackmount devices.

Rackmount NAS: Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Scalability: Rackmount devices are built for expansion. Whether you’re looking to add more drives or integrate other server components, they provide more flexibility.
2. Efficient Cooling: Designed for data centers, they come with built-in cooling mechanisms to handle heat from multiple devices, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.
3. Higher Performance: These devices are generally more powerful, offering better CPU and RAM configurations suitable for businesses with extensive data operations.
4. Centralized Management: Being in a rack setup, all devices can be managed centrally, which is beneficial for larger operations.

Cons:

1. Size and Portability: Rackmount devices aren’t meant to be moved frequently. They require dedicated space, preferably in a cooled environment.
2. Complexity: They might require more expertise to set up and manage, especially in larger configurations.
3. Cost: Generally more expensive than desktop NAS due to their advanced features and build.

Given the above factors, how should you decide? Here are some considerations to help guide your choice:

1. Purpose: A home user wanting to store personal photos, documents, and media files might find a desktop NAS more than sufficient. However, a business dealing with massive databases, multiple simultaneous users, or requiring centralized server solutions would benefit more from a rackmount setup.
2. Space: Do you have space for a rack setup? If you’re limited on room, a desktop NAS might be the only feasible option.
3. Budget: High-end rackmount setups can be expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, a desktop NAS from Terramaster can provide excellent value for money.
4. Future Expansion: Always consider your future needs. If you foresee significant growth in your data needs, investing in a scalable rackmount solution now might save you the hassle and expense of upgrading later.
5. Technical Know-How: If you’re not tech-savvy and don’t have access to IT expertise, a desktop NAS is usually more straightforward and user-friendly. Rackmount setups, while offering more power and scalability, might pose challenges in setup and management.

Both desktop and rackmount NAS devices have their merits. While Terramaster primarily focuses on desktop NAS solutions, catering to a vast number of home users and small businesses, understanding the distinction between these two forms ensures you’re equipped with the knowledge to make the best decision. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a small business owner, or a large enterprise, there’s a NAS solution out there tailored to your needs. Remember, the key lies in assessing current requirements while also keeping an eye on the future. With the right NAS, you ensure not only the safety and accessibility of your data but also the smoothness of your operations.

Wrapping Up Terramaster and the Conclusion

A NAS is more than just a storage solution. It’s a centralized hub for your digital life. With brands like Terramaster providing a range of options suited for various needs, diving into the world of NAS has never been easier. When considering storage, weigh the pros and cons of HDDs vs. SSDs, think about redundancy, and plan for future data needs. Also, in today’s data-heavy world, network speeds play a crucial role, so choose a model that aligns with your demands. Whether you’re a professional needing a robust data management solution or a home user looking to centralize family memories, Terramaster’s NAS offerings can cater to your requirements. Dive in, and discover a more organized, accessible, and secure digital life.

---

Why Choose TerraMaster NAS? Advantages and Disadvantages

One brand that I have always had a personal love for is TerraMaster. This is purely subjective and should be taken with a pinch of salt, but for a brand that no one really knows about, they give ALOT of the key features that other bigger brand advertise alot. BTRFS support is available on pretty much ALL the Intel-based devices, they feature one of the ONLY 4 LAN 2-Bay NAS’, along with an Intel N5105 based 10Gbe 2, 4 5 and 8-Bay solution and a particularly unique 2 HDD 10GbE system. Arriving with a thunderbolt DAS range too, Terramaster is a NAS brand that has evolved comparatively quickly and although for the most part, they are only available via Amazon, this has still allowed them to be a recognizable brand. Typically in a like for like hardware comparison with them and companies like Synology/QNAP, you will find them better value for money, and the software (though less diverse or slick than those two big brands) is still pretty smooth and intuative. The chassis design is a little underwhelming, but even that has improved in recent revisions. All in all, they are the best budget NAS solution out there in 2023 and a good entry point into NAS.

PROS of TerraMaster NAS

• Great Price vs Hardware
• VERY Fast Brand Evolution
• TOS 5 Software introducing Surveillance, FluidRAID, AI-Powered photo Recognition and Isolation Mode
• Added a LARGE 2.5GbE selection of NAS in their portfolio
• Hugely Improved GUI and Client apps
• BTRFS available as file system choice
• Desktop and Rackmount options
• Similar Hardware to QNAP and Asustor, but at a Lower Price
• Straight forward range and classification
• Very Straight Fordwared Setup

CONS of TerraMaster NAS

• Very Few Mobile Apps
• Not quite as polished or fully featured as Synology/QNAP
• Despite Business targeting, very poor support of 10GBe till recently in the F2-423
• A little dated design
• Arrives with Warranty, but the turnaround is slower than many
• Have been targetted by Ransomware attacks in the last 2 years

Terramaster F2-423 NAS – $289 4-Core Intel 64bit CPU – 4/32GB Memory – 2.5GbE – 2-Bay	RECOMMENDED – Terramaster F5-422 – $599 4-Core Intel 64bit CPU – 4/16GB Memory – 10GbE – 5-Bay	Terramaster T12-423 12-Bay NAS – $1399 4-Core Intel 64bit CPU – 4/32GB Memory – 2.5GbE – NVMe – 12-Bay
Best Budget NAS Check Amazon Below for Current Prices/Stock	Best Mid-Range Solution Check Amazon Below for Current Prices/Stock	Best Business Solution Check Amazon Below for Current Prices/Stock

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Gen5 SSDs – 4 Reasons to Switch to PCIe Gen 5 NOW (and 4 Reasons NOT TO!)

There is no avoiding it, PCIe Gen 5 M.2 NVMe SSDs are the rage now! In the last 12 months, we have seen more than 20 different Gen 5 SSDs unveiled at various trade events in the tech industry, with several Gen 5 SSDs already available for purchase at your local e-retailer. The performance benefits of transitioning from Gen 4 SSDs to Gen 5 have been largely realized, thanks to the increased bandwidth afforded by PCIe 5.0. Meanwhile, the rest of the tech industry hasn’t exactly been idle; we’ve seen an impressive improvement in motherboard manufacturers and SSD component development circles over the last 18 months. SSD storage, like most evolving areas of technology, reaches a tipping point when the appeal for consumers to embrace a new tier of technology becomes most compelling. So, with a plethora of SSDs on the market and the second half of 2023 shaping up to be even louder on the subject, is it time to invest in Gen 5 SSDs and the surrounding technology, or is the buzz around Gen 5 speeds only going to increase the appeal of the more accessible and affordable previous generation? Let’s find out by exploring several reasons why you should (and shouldn’t!) invest in Gen 5 today.

PCIe Gen 5 Motherboards are Dropping in Price to under $199

As you might expect, the biggest hurdle when making this switch from Gen 3 or Gen 4 to Gen 5 SSD storage is not actually the drives themselves. The main barrier for many users is the host system that the SSD will be installed within. Although PCIe Gen 5 SSDs are completely backwards compatible with previous generations of M.2 NVMe, users do not want to pay premium prices for superfast SSD storage in 2023 unless they intend to be able to access and use that high-performance bandwidth! With this in mind, many users have been keeping more of an eye on the price of Gen 5 motherboards than Gen 5 SSDs, as initial pricing for Gen 5 motherboards back in early 2022 were a bit exorbitant. Fast forward to mid-2023 and we’re finding an increased affordability of Gen 5 SSD motherboards as manufacturers lower the entry tier for users to leverage both Gen 5 SSDs and Gen 5 PCIe upgrades.

Click to view slideshow.

It’s now quite feasible to find several PCIe Gen 5 motherboards priced between $199 and $299, all of which come from well-established brands like ASUS and Gigabyte. However, these are still about 30 to 50% more expensive than Gen 4 motherboards, leading some users to question their value. To this end, it’s worth highlighting that many Gen 5 motherboards at this price point also feature improved ports and connectivity, which only further increases the value of investing in a Gen 5 motherboard. This includes Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, USB 4 connectivity, 2.5 GB ethernet, and DDR5 memory support. Additionally, the latest generations of Intel and AMD processors are Gen 5 architecture, so if you’re looking to buy a relatively recent CPU, you’ll likely need a Gen 5 motherboard to make full use of the PCIe lanes and bandwidths the CPU is capable of.

• MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi ProSeries Motherboard – https://amzn.to/3pz2bAD
• ASUS ROG Strix B760-I Gaming – https://amzn.to/3PIJaWY
• ASUS ROG Strix B760-A Gaming – https://amzn.to/3JR4F4e
• GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX – https://amzn.to/3NKzdFP
• ASUS TUF GAMING B760M-PLUS – https://amzn.to/44k2puo

The Number of Gen 5 SSDs That Have Been Revealed is HUGE

Earlier, I mentioned how many M.2 NVMe SSDs have been revealed in the last 12 months and how several of these SSDs have already made it to retail. Currently, there are around ten different M.2 Gen 5 SSDs available, with more than 20 announced SSDs in production or close to release as of Summer 2023. Compared with the first year of Gen 4 NVMe SSDs back in 2019, there are now more than twice as many SSD options for consumers to choose from. This will inevitably lead to better pricing and choice for consumers, and although this is yet to be fully realized, the second half of 2023 looks set to offer a great deal of choice in Gen 5 SSDs.

Gen 5×16 Expansion Cards Allow You to Capture the Increased Bandwidth vs CPU Lanes More Efficiently

This is something that is often overlooked, but, thanks to improvements in lanes and bandwidths offered by modern Intel and AMD processors, it’s something that early Gen 5 adopters will want to consider. With Gen 5 motherboards being released, there are also quite a few different Gen 5 x16 storage expansion cards on the market. These cards allow users to make use of available PCIe Gen 5 x16 CPU slots, and attach multiple M.2 Gen 5 or even Gen 4 SSDs, and take advantage of exponential performance. Storage expansion cards that allow multiple M.2 SSDs have been around for a while, but thanks to Gen 5 x16 bandwidth permitting a rather enormous performance potential, Gen 5 allows for more efficient CPU PCIe Lane allocation than the previous generation, ultimately resulting in fewer lanes being utilized for greater performance.

Moreover, many of the first and second wave of Gen 5 PCIe motherboards come with these expansion cards included. This means that not only will current adopters have this card at their disposal in many cases, but some users may sell this expansion card on the likes of eBay for as little as a hundred dollars to recoup some of their investment. This represents another potential saving for users, though bear in mind that some storage expansion cards are brand and motherboard specific.

Bonus Point – Game development is continually getting better at harnessing the performance of NVMe vs GPU/CPU power

This isn’t a specific reason to invest in Gen 5 SSDs and Gen 5 motherboards, but rather to highlight that as game development becomes more adept at leveraging the performance benefits of Gen 4 and Gen 5 storage, the importance of a particularly fast NVMe in your gaming rig has increased substantially. It’s now arguably on par with having a good CPU and graphics card when it comes to games being developed now and in the future. Innovations like Microsoft’s Direct Storage capability that manages to streamline games leveraging that NVMe storage speed, as well as the enormous storage delivery demands that make up Unreal Engine 5’s fantastic graphics handling, all contribute to an increased importance for faster storage in the gaming sector.

Current Gen 5 M.2 NVMe SSDs Get Oversaturated FAST!!!

This is something that we already observed in the PCIe Gen. 4 M.2 NVMe SSD arena, but it continues to be true in the Gen 5 tier as well. Namely, that although transfer speeds are exceptionally high on many Gen 5 SSDs, breaking into the teens when it comes to read speeds, the actual memory and controller of the SSDs that handle the data to and from the drive and host system are very quick to become oversaturated. Gen 5 currently suffers something of a sustained performance issue when you are not using particularly advanced systems that can counteract this.

Click to view slideshow.

The result is that although the initial performance of Gen 5 SSDs in traditional transfers can be very high, indeed, this high performance will drop to Gen 4 levels and potentially even less after a relatively short amount of time due to the cache on the drive becoming oversaturated quickly. Again, this is something we observed in Gen 4, but given the enormous performance increases in Gen 5, the surrounding architecture of NVMe SSDs only being marginally improved upon over the generation (on the NAND quality, layer count, DRAM quantities, and controller handling) results in oversaturation still being something of a barrier in Gen 5 too.

The Second Wave of Gen 5 SSDs is Coming Soon.. and THEY ARE FASTER (and cost only a pinch more)

When Gen 4 SSDs arrived in the consumer sector in 2019, after a lengthy reveal in the 12-18 months prior, the first generation boasted performance speeds of a little in excess of 5,000 megabytes per second. A handful of brands were quick to jump on this and produced their own range of Phison E16 controller SSDs and boasted about their greatness in performance. However, Gen 4 has a potential bandwidth of 8,000MB, and some brands decided to play the long game and hold off until they could release their Gen 4 SSD that could better capitalize on the bandwidth with improved controller development. This would be eventually realized when Phison released the E18 controller, to huge acclaim and wide adoption, quickly making the first Gen 4 SSDs look expensive and lesser performing. The EXACT same thing is happening right now with PCIe Gen 5 SSDs.

Click to view slideshow.

The earliest adopters have rolled out with their drives boasting 10 GB per second performance (such as the Gigabyte 10000 and Crucial T700), but it hasn’t been long before several big SSD names have already started revealing their 12 GB and even 14 GB SSDs, growing closer to potentially fully saturating the full 16 GB bandwidth of Gen 5. The result is that the earliest adopters of Gen 5 SSDs have ended up paying more for an SSD that arguably has lesser performance potential than SSDs releasing just a handful of months later. No doubt, these initial Gen 5 SSD brands that brought their drives to market early will quickly scramble to release a phase 2 or Gen 2 version of their initial drives, but that still adds up to a potential loss in revenue and embarrassment from their initial drives, perhaps appearing a little less advanced than they would have liked so quickly.

Real-world Performance and IOPS are WAY Less than the Synthetic Sequential and 4K Random Tests Advertised Everywhere

This is a big deal and something that has been highlighted by us and many others online, namely that although high-performance numbers in both traditional transfer speeds and 4K random IOPS have been advertised, these do not fully represent typical day-to-day user performance numbers. It is not unusual for synthetic testing with popular tools such as ATTO Disk Benchmark and Crystal Disk to be used to measure the performance of an SSD for review, as well as for brands to have benchmarks that they can assign to their SSDs as maximum potential metrics in performance. However, these synthetic data values are based on preset and idealistic setups for the layout of data and the active process for retrieving the data from these drives. In reality, alongside the drop in sustained performance due to oversaturation that we touched on earlier, a lot of users using the majority of the available client hardware in the market right now will see a smaller percentage improvement over the same setup in a Gen 4 rig. Likewise, the improvement in 4k random IOPS, although representative of a more randomized and therefore less curated statistical performance of the drive, still is not fully representative of just how long it takes a game to load, a popular application or OS to initialize or accessing large-scale databases for immediate access for things like AI.

Click to view slideshow.

PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs Are WAY Cheaper and Only Getting Cheaper (for similar Typical Small/Random Speeds)

An unexpected but nonetheless attractive benefit of Gen 5 SSDs growing in availability and models is that Gen 4 SSDs have seen significant drops in prices in the majority of e-retailers online. This price difference is exacerbated further by the lower numbers of available stock of Gen 5 SSDs. The result is that Gen 4 SSDs have dropped in price AND Gen 5 SSDs have increased in price, creating a substantial gap between the two that many consumers are simply not prepared to absorb and invest towards Gen 5 ownership. Case in point, the majority of currently available 2 TB Gen 5 SSDs that you can buy right now in July 2023 are approximately $299 to $330. In many cases, this is more than double the cost of Gen 4. Therefore, unless the rest of your system is primed to take advantage of the performance benefits and make them fully realized, buying a Gen 5 SSD early may cost you way more than Gen 4 without really seeing the full extent of the benefits.

Bonus Point – Most Speeds Advertised are of the High 2/4TB Capacity (Most expensive, approx $150-170 per TB), When 1TB Models are Much Lower

Although long-term NVMe storage buyers may be well aware of this already, I do think it is worth touching on that the performance numbers that are advertised by most brands for their SSDs (Gen 4 or Gen 5) often have a slight lie by omission about them. Namely, an SSD that is advertised as having 10 GB, 12 GB, or 14 GB in a variety of different capacities, will almost always only be able to hit that performance number in sequential read and/or write at the highest capacity drive. So if a brand is releasing an SSD in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, the performance numbers of the largest 4TB drive are often the ones that are advertised (which also happens to be by far the most expensive drive as well).

However, the smallest drive, which will be the most affordable, will have the lowest performance, and you will have to dig into the individual spec sheets or data sheets from the brand to see that performance difference of generally around 10 to 20% less. This is because the larger SSDs spread this storage across more flash memory modules on the SSD PCB. More flash memory modules on an SSD on one or both sides will allow multiple memory modules to be read and written to simultaneously, which is how the increased performance is achieved. But more flash memory modules also increase the price point to match that additional capacity too. The smallest capacity drives will have fewer modules, so fewer modules to read and write to, resulting in slower performance. So be aware of this when looking at those big performance numbers and bear in mind the capacity of the drive you will end up going for.

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

EVERYTHING We Know About Synology NAS Hardware and Software for 2024

Synology has always been the ‘Apple’ of the NAS industry, approaching the launch of their newest hardware/software releases with a sense of gravitas and importance (global launch events, hosted digital streams, etc) that is only matched by the sheer blanket of secrecy they maintain on their upcoming solutions. However, with many of their NAS systems refreshed every 2-3 years, many new NAS buyers (or those looking to upgrade) are always keen to know whether the current range of solutions that are available are the best option, or should they wait a little longer for the launch of a new and exciting follow-up? Likewise, the Synology DSM platform (arguably the jewel in the crown of Synology’s platform) sees regular updates and improvements to both the GUI itself and the range of features and services that are included in it’s wonderfully detailed ecosystem. Generally, when it comes to the software, Synology opt for minor updates almost monthly, noticeable platform/app upgrades every 4-6 months and significant widespread updates (eg DSM 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 8.0?) every year or two. The hardware on the other hand is a different story. Around July/August every year, we see the year/naming convention shift towards the next annual period (i.e DS918+ > DS920+ > DS923+) and it is THOSE new hardware releases that most users take the most interest it. Rackmount and 6-8+ Bay SMB systems have been mostly absent in the 2022/2023 series of Diskstation and Rackstation, so this is likely something we are going to see refreshes for in the 2nd half of 2023. So, I have made this page to allow me to aggregate all information that we (me and Eddie who run NASCCompares), to keep in one place.

The following list of articles, links and information will be periodically updated as new information appears and you can add your email address at the bottom of the page if you want to get immediate alerts when these updates arrive (no need to make any account etc, it’s just a notification tool).

LAST UPDATED, THURSDAY 24th JULY 2023

---

Synology 2023/2024 Questions and Answers with Michael Wang @ Synology HQ

Synology has always been largely considered to be the market leader in the world of network attached storage (NAS) and more often than not the decisions that make in their range of hardware/software solutions tend to be of tremendous interest to their growing global user base. Whether it’s a feature of DSM that has been added/removed, or a hardware path that they have yet to pursue, may users have questions for this big brand is the world of big data! So, today we want to share our latest Q&A with Synology (something of an annual event in itself now, with 2019 here, 2020 here, etc), in which we spoke with Michael Wang, Corporate Communications Manager at Synology, and put forward your user questions from the YouTube comments, Polls and NASCompares forums/discord/social media channels. So, let’s dive straight in and see what the brand has in store for the 2nd half of 2023 as we shift our attention towards Synology 2024. Subjects covered include the Synology Play series in 2024, Synology and Ransomware, New Flash Storage, DSM 8.0 (exceedingly briefly), the potential for a Synology switch, new cameras and more.

Click the banner below to head over to the Synology Q&A:

---

Synology 2024 – Confirmed Releases, Leaks, Rumours and Predictions

It’s past the halfway point of the year and that means that it’s time for Robbie and Eddie to discuss what’s coming in the next generation of Synology NAS hardware and software. We hosting a long, LONG video on this that covers it all. We cover the hardware we know about, as well as the releases that have been leaked and rumoured. We finish up with what we predict to happen with Synology in their 2024 generation, so if you are wondering about what the brand has in store for the future and whether you should care, give it a watch (chapters are underneath the video):

Video Chapters: 00:00 – The Start 00:54 – Synology 2024 – Where are we at? 01:34 – Synology DS224+ NAS – What Do We Think? 07:06 – Synology DS124 NAS – NICE! 11:38 – Synology AI Integration Long Term 13:29 – DSM 8.0 15:23 – What I want from AI in a Synology NAS and DSM 8.0 16:43 – Synology PLAY is DEAD? 21:54 – Synology 2024 Rumours 22:16 – Synology RS1624xs+ Rackstation 27:51 – New Synology Cameras in Winter 2023/2024 31:42 – Synology DS1824+ and DS1624+ NAS Coming 35:42 – Synology 2024 Predictions 36:21 – Fleshing Out that HDD and SSD Portfolio 38:52 – New Flash Server and Flash Drives? Bit Overdue 40:09 – The Synology Switch ISN Coming…Or is it?! 43:06 – Synology DS924+, DS724+, DS1524+ NAS etc? 44:21 – Mid Series Refresh (ver II)? 45:36 – Synology in 2024 and 2024 Moving Forward – Verdict so Far…

---

The Synology DS224+ NAS – Coming Very Soon!

Update 06/07/23 – Synology has really been churning out the DiskStation releases this year, with a number of their popular DiskStation NAS devices all seeing a modern refresh to a greater or lesser degree. The Synology DS224+ is the update of the three-year-old DS220+ NAS, arriving in a similar framework as its predecessor. Although arguably featuring very small updates in Synology’s 2024 refresh, it does boast an improved CPU, which will result in greater performance on Synology’s award-winning DSM platform. The DS224+ is likely one of the last Synology home and SMB solutions we will see refreshed this year, as Synology clearly begins to set its sights on some of its larger and more centrally business-focused solutions in the 2024 range. I am not going to sugarcoat it, the DS224+ is by no means a significant upgrade over its predecessor and for some, it’s not going to seem like much has changed in the three years between these releases. However, we are still seeing a setup here that the brand has rigorously invested time and development into, which likely means you are getting a superior experience that is more felt than seen compared with its predecessor. Let’s discuss the new Synology DS224+ and help you decide whether it deserves your data.

Find out in the article HERE

And the video HERE

---

Synology DS124 NAS 1-Bay for the Synology 2024 Series

Update 04/07/23 – If you’ve been considering Synology as an affordable and power-efficient NAS drive option in 2023, it’s highly likely that you’re curious about the possible release of the DS124. Although we have seen tremendous innovation within one-bay NAS devices in recent years, we are still yet to see this brand roll out a one-bay NAS with anything higher than an ARM processor. Give them credit though, this is quite a capable ARM processor, and it would have been very easy for them to cut corners and opt for a lower-class Marvel or Annapurna AL processor in order to keep costs low. The Synology DS124 arrives with the Realtek RTD1619B quad-core ARM processor, which has a 1.7Ghz clock speed and even has a smidgen of integrated graphic support too. This processor certainly will not rival even the most modest Intel Celeron in capabilities, but Synology has been doing great things in ensuring its latest software, DSM 7.2, runs on this platform exceptionally well. The extent to which DSM runs will be discussed later on, as ARM processors have a very unique architecture that also has an inherent difficulty when it comes to more complex processes, but fair play to Synology for including this CPU on such a value series device and after already testing this CPU in the likes of the DS223J, DS223, and DS423 here on the channel, I can comfortably say this is the best value series CPU the brand has ever used and definitely runs the bulk of Synology’s mainline home and light business backup applications.

Read the FULL Article HERE

---

Synology ChatGPT? Integrating an Optional AI in Synology Office & Mail Plus

Update 03/06/23 – When Synology hosted their Solutions exhibition parallel with the Computex 2023 event over in Taipei, it was always going to be a certainty that I would attend. Aside from featuring this brand regularly on the NASCompares YouTube Channel and Blog, I have always been impressed by the brand’s incredible prioritization of it’s software above all else. Although this can occasionally be to their detriment in the eyes of more hardware-focused users, no one could question the quality and level of R&D that has gone into DSM and its range of services. However, although a lot of new hardware was on show at their event, alongside pre-set demonstration stations to overview their abilities, the thing that REALLY stood out for me was an ‘in development’ feature to integrate AI support services into key DSM applications. Now, currently, the big buzzword in AI is ChapGPT of course.

With everyone from beginners and enthusiasts, all the way to multinational corporations starting to discover the benefits of integrating AI into their workflow and operations. What Synology demo’d at their event, although clearly in early development, was a clear and considered implementation of the benefits of AI assistance from within the Synology ecosystem – more precisely those in the collaboration suite. In the demo, they showed how they were in the early steps of providing AI assistance in numerous areas of content creation and communication. Currently, this was shown in Synology Mail Plus and Synology Office. So, today I want to talk through how this was shown and what we can look forward to as functionality is slowly rolled out.

Find out in the article HERE

And the video HERE

---

The Synology BeeDrive Backup Hub Revealed

Update 07/06/23 – I’ve been a follower of Synology for many years, but this might be the most ‘left field’ release I have seen from the brand in more than a decade (psst… DS213air..I’m looking at you!). The Synology BeeDrive USB SSD Backup Hub promises to provide simplified backup and Sync storage for upto 5 devices in Windows, iOS, Android and MacOS (eventually) environments. But is it just a glorified external USB drive or much more? Synology is arguably the top dog in the world of turnkey NAS. They have an exceedingly well-populated NAS server portfolio, a very well-established storage media range, Several high-class routers and recently added surveillance cameras into the mix too! Nevertheless, when I saw the official Synology BeeDrive External USB SSD, I was very confused! Synology has diverged from its traditional NAS lineup in an attempt to provide a convenient, easy-to-use, and very user-friendly remote cloud alternative solution for personal data storage. This USB Direct Attached Storage (DAS) device arrives with either 1TB or 2TB of storage capacity and supports a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) connectivity. The main focus by Synology here seems to try and eradicate the complexity of a NAS backup drive for a handful of devices, whilst trying to replicate the ease of use and ‘set up and forget’ mentality of small-scale cloud backup services – Ultimately, the BeeDrive aims to make data backup as simple as it gets.

YouTube Review of the Synology Bee Drive VIDEO REVIEW and WRITTEN REVIEW

Find out in the article HERE

And the video HERE

---

Synology PLUS NAS Hard Drives – The HAT3300 Series

Update 28/02/23 – For those who have been following the world of network Attached Storage (NAS) and more precisely, the developments of Synology, it might not come as a huge surprise that the brand is now in the process of rolling out a new series of HAT3300 Hard Drives for 2023. Now, you might well be thinking “hold on, they have had their own range of HDDs for a few years now!” and that is correct. However, the existing HAT5300 and HAT5310 series of drives are very much targeted at Pro and Enterprise users (5yr warranty, 5400rpm, 550TB workload, etc) and Synology users who were looking to keep things ‘single ecosystem’ in their more modest scale systems (e.g DS920+, DS1522+, etc) were not won over by these bigger, noisier and more expensive drives in their systems. Therefore, it was somewhat inevitable that the brand would eventually get around to launching a more home/SMB-friendly range Of storage media that is better suited to smaller NAS systems of around 5-8 Bays at most. Enter the Synology HAT3300 Plus hard drive series, eventually rolling out in 4 (possibly a 5th in 16TB) different capacities and built on Seagate Ironwolf HDDs (whereas the Synology HAT5300 and HAT5310s are built on Toshiba Enterprise MG drives). Given Synology already has their other HDDs in the market, 2 types of SSD media, numerous types of memory media, upgrade cards, routers and even their own Surveillance IP cameras now – this really is one of the final steps for them to complete their own 1-brand hardware ecosystem of networking equipment.

YouTube Video – HERE

NASCompares Full Reveal Article  – HERE

---

Synology DSM 7.2 NAS Software Now Officially Released

Synology DSM 7.2 brings a range of benefits and features compared to Synology DSM 7.1/7.0. It introduces immutable storage and backup through WriteOnce shared folders, enforcing data retention policies and protecting against modification or deletion. Compliance Mode features like Tamper-proof Clock, Grace Period, Appendable Mode, and Snapshots enhance data protection. Full Volume Encryption encrypts Shared Folders, LUNs, and package data, providing security and convenience with improved performance. Immutable Snapshots defend against ransomware by securely storing unchangeable copies of data. Turbocharged VM performance is achieved with M.2 NVMe storage volume support, enabling SSD caching or creating all-flash storage volumes. Block-level full-system backups in Hyper Backup speed up large data backups significantly. Inline zero-block removal improves deduplication efficiency while maintaining performance. Adaptive Login Protection enhances security with multi-factor authentication and confirmation for external DSM admin account access. Auto Block expands protection against brute-force attacks, and QuickConnect servers globally ban IP addresses after failed authentication attempts. Container Manager, renamed and enhanced, allows easy management of multi-container applications through the UI. Hybrid Share, coming soon, prevents file conflicts across connected Synology systems and provides detailed logging. These features make DSM 7.2 a comprehensive upgrade with robust security, performance, and management capabilities for Synology NAS users.

You can download Synology DSM 7.2 HERE

Alternatively, you can look at the video below that outlines whether existing DSM 7.1/7.0/6.2 Users that own Value series devices (such as the DS223, DS423, DS220J and even DS120J) should upgrade:

---

 

You can find out more about Synology and their plans for their 2024 series by visiting our friends over on Blackvoid HERE

Looking for Information on Synology NAS Hardware and Software Releases and Rumours for 2023? You can visit our Synology 2023 News Page HERE

We pool the comments on this article and the videos that are featured in it to keep all the relevant comments in one place, so take a look and see if your POV is the same as everyone else’s.

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

SanDisk Extreme PRO and WD My Passport SSD Failures – Wait, WHAT?

SanDisk, long established SSD brand and partner of Western Digital, in the last few months has come under scrutiny following a flurry of user complaints about their Extreme and Extreme Pro Portable External Solid State Drives (SSDs) in the first half of 2023. These popular storage devices, which are regularly on special offer and typically applauded for their speed and durability – I have personally recommended them till now!), have faced a surge of issues involving random disconnections, catastrophic data loss, and in some cases, the complete collapse of the file system. Although the bulk of these concerns has focused on the 4TB models, users of the 2TB drives appear not are not immune either. So, what is going on? What have WD/Sandisk doing about this, and how concerned should you be? Let’s discuss.

Note – This article was updated 25/08/23 with updates on users stating that the updates have not stopped their drives from failing again, as well as details of three lawsuits currently filed against Western Digital. You can WATCH the video below, or scroll down the page to the 25/08 Update.

Note – WD/SanDisk have rolled out a new firmware that they state will resolve this and fix the error. The ” SanDisk and WD Firmware Updater can be downloaded here, and is required to update the firmware . Additionally, for those that need further support, you can use the instructions on the Western Digital website. The following drives are impacted: • SanDisk Extreme Portable 4TB (SDSSDE61-4T00) • SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 4TB (SDSSDE81-4T00) • SanDisk Extreme Pro 2TB (SDSSDE81-2T00) • SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00) • WD My Passport 4TB (WDBAGF0040BGY) Use this tool HERE to check if your drive is one of those that is affected and whether you need to update your firmware immediately

When was the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD Issue First Seen?

The initial wave of failures primarily involved the SanDisk 4TB Extreme Pro SSDs, as reported by various digital imaging technicians, loaders, and assistant camera operators from both coasts. Probably one of the most oft-referenced sources for this so far has been HERE on reddit. related to users experiencing the same issue and seeking to share firmware/model IDs that have been affected 5 months ago and has since continued to reach 221 comments with a substantial number of them related to users sharing their own drive-loss horror stories! Typically, the issue resulted in the drive, after a prolonged write operation, unexpectedly losing its file system. This issue rendered the drive incapable of mounting, and recovery became a matter of chance rather than certainty.

The symptom, not tied to any particular file operating system type, left the users in a conundrum. Even attempts to restore the drive using sophisticated software tools like DiskDrill’s filesystem rebuild yielded inconsistent results. Despite the increasing number of reports about these failures, SanDisk’s initial response was muted, failing to officially recognize the problem as anything more than an isolated incident or a mere fluke. However, even a brief bit of digging showed this was just the tip of the iceberg, as more users in the same thread raised their own stories of drive failure:

Now, given that this is an issue that has already been discussed in storage communities AND with Sandisk themselves over the course of 5-6 months, it is still kinda odd that we have only heard about a firmware update being rolled out a little over a month ago (31/05/23) that they state will resolve this issue, but the drives apparently remained on sale at multiple retailers. Given the extent to which users were impacted long before this firmware rollout, this might have been perhaps too little, too late for some.

Official Sandisk Responses to the Issue

SanDisk’s problems started to attract a broader audience when Ars Technica published an article citing similar issues with their staff’s 2TB drives HERE. Online forums, especially on Reddit, teemed with frustrated and disappointed users sharing their experiences with their relatively recently purchased Extreme V2 and Extreme Pro V2 portable SSDs. The complaints indicated that the problem was not confined to the 4TB Pro model but extended to the non-Pro 4TB and the 2TB Pro versions. Later it would be confirmed that some 2TB and even a 1TB version had been impacted, but more on that in a bit. When contacted by Ars Technica, WD responded:

Western Digital is aware of reports indicating some customers have experienced an issue with 4TB SanDisk Extreme and/or Extreme Pro portable SSDs (SDSSDE61-4T00 and SDSSDE81-4T00 respectively). We have resolved the issue and will publish a firmware update to our website soon. Customers with questions or who are experiencing issues should contact our Customer Support team for assistance. – Statement by Western Digital to Ars Technica

Fast forward to now and it appears that said firmware update was rolled out, seemingly arriving on 31/05/23, as observed over on the ComputerBase forum. This went on to confirm which SSDs were fully impacted:

• SanDisk Extreme Portable 4TB (SDSSDE61-4T00)

• SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 4TB (SDSSDE81-4T00)

• SanDisk Extreme Pro 2TB (SDSSDE81-2T00)

• SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00)

• WD My Passport 4TB (WDBAGF0040BGY)

Sandisk has still remained tight-lipped on the extent of the issue, but you can use the serial number checker on their firmware update page to see if you are/could be impacted by this. Alongside the rollout of the firmware update, they offered the following FAQ:

A Tepid Response: SanDisk’s Minimal Acknowledgment

The public response from SanDisk to this escalating issue remained woefully insufficient, considering the severity of the problems being reported. Their early strategy mostly involved guiding affected customers to open a support ticket with the company’s technical support team. When Ars Technica reached out for more information, SanDisk offered a slightly more concrete response. It should NOT have taken the larger online editorial site to encourage them to be more public with this issue, especially when you are talking about storage devices that were already in very wide circulation and being used for many users’ primary backups! Additionally, they acknowledged the issue with their 4TB SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro portable SSDs, assuring users that they had resolved the problem and were planning to release a firmware update soon, but they failed to address that this issue affected the WD My Passort 4TB drive, or the 1TB and 2TB Extreme Pro drives that would eventually be highlighted in their firmware update. Just highlighting the issue on the 4TB SDSSDE61-4T00 and SDSSDE81-4T00 is now, with hindsight, actually pretty poor!

Do not buy these SanDisk drives. They’ve been faulty for months and they’re trying to clear inventory with steep discounts https://t.co/Rax0FNOhod

— V (@vjeranpavic) April 12, 2023

Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD Product Recall?

Adding another layer to this already complex situation, reports started surfacing of SanDisk’s customer support agents informing some users about a recall of the 4TB model. However, this seemed to contradict the reality as the 4TB model continued to be available for sale. Moreover, when contacted by The Verge in March 2023, SanDisk’s parent company Western Digital seemed to downplay the issue, stating it was “actively investigating” a “small number of reports,” hardly the reaction expected for a product recall. In a more official capacity, Western Digital later admitted a firmware issue causing certain SSD products, including the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 and SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, to unexpectedly disconnect from computers.

Click to view slideshow.

The Implications to Sandisk Long-term: Lost Data, Lost Trust

SanDisk’s current woes extend beyond the mechanical or firmware issues of their SSDs. Their delayed and seemingly half-hearted response to the reported failures has ignited a wave of disappointment among their long-time content creator user base. In cases where the retailer has agreed to a refund, customers are often offered a replacement with the same model. However, considering the scale of the problem, this solution offers little comfort to those who have already lost valuable data and trust in the brand. What remains to be seen is whether SanDisk’s recently released firmware fix will truly resolve the issue at hand and whether it will apply to all affected drives, or we might see the range of affected drive rise? Low %s of course, but not impossible.

Detailed Update on Sandisk Extreme Pro External USB SSD Drives

1) In-Depth Recap Back in July, we shared an article and video detailing a concerning problem faced by users of the Sandisk Extreme Pro external SSDs. They were grappling with a fatal firmware error that led to significant file system issues. Despite the rising number of complaints, Sandisk’s communication about the problem was rather subdued. Users were left with many questions, especially regarding other related products like the WD My Passport SSD, which shared characteristics with the troubled drives. Alarmingly, even amidst these issues, there seemed to be no pause in the selling or any significant recalls of these drives. In fact, they were noticeably present during major sales events, raising eyebrows about their reliability. By May, in response to the growing outcry, a firmware update was released. Notable platforms such as Ars Technica and The Verge were particularly vocal about this issue. Western Digital acknowledged the following drives as affected:

• SanDisk Extreme Portable 4TB (SDSSDE61-4T00)
• SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 4TB (SDSSDE81-4T00)
• SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 2TB (SDSSDE81-2T00)
• SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 1TB (SDSSDE81-1T00)
• Western Digital My Passport 4TB (WDBAGF0040BGY).

Immediate Action for Users:
For those who are concerned that they might have one of these affected drives, please visit the dedicated support page. Here, you can input your drive’s serial number and your operating system to get clarity on the matter.

Developments Post-Firmware-Update for Sandisk Users

Regrettably, the firmware update doesn’t seem to have fully addressed the problem. Some users, even after updating their firmware, have continued to face issues like unmounting and file system errors that only a total format could resolve. Highlighting the gravity of the problem, The Verge reported a significant incident where a staggering 3TB of marketing video was lost on a 4TB Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD, which was even more surprising since the drive was provided by WD as a replacement for a previously troubled one. Additionally, legal advisory platforms, like Legalscoops.com, are now advocating for users to consider legal avenues against Western Digital, given the company’s perceived inadequacies in handling the situation.

Recommendation for Users:
Given the gravity of the situation, if you believe your drive might be affected or even if you’re simply unsure, don’t take chances. Head over to the Western Digital support page and check the status of your drive immediately.

Legal Developments Surrounding the Sandisk Extreme Pro External USB SSD Drives

The repercussions of the firmware issue in the Sandisk Extreme Pro external SSDs have not only perturbed many users but have also paved the way for legal action. There are currently three significant lawsuits filed against Western Digital, the parent company of Sandisk. Here’s a detailed examination of each:

1) Lawsuit by Nathan Krum

Link: View lawsuit details

Overview:
This lawsuit was filed in a federal court in San Jose, California, by Nathan Krum. The key contention was the failure of the Western Digital SanDisk 2TB Extreme Pro SSD that Krum purchased in May for $180.

Key Allegations:

• The SSD failure was due to an undisclosed flaw affecting multiple models since January 2023.
• Beyond mere connection issues, the lawsuit emphasizes significant data loss occurrences without any prior warning.
• Class members have been reporting an inability to access and retrieve data saved on their devices.

Potential Scope:
Krum’s legal team believes that the class could represent “tens, if not hundreds of thousands” of affected users in the U.S. This projection is based on reported device failures or data losses.

2) Lawsuit led by Matthew Perrin and Brian Bayerl

Link: View lawsuit details

Overview:
This lawsuit represents two individuals who faced issues with the Sandisk Extreme SSDs.

Key Allegations:

• Brian Bayerl’s two Extreme SSDs reportedly had broken firmware.
• Bayerl faced the failure of two drives almost simultaneously.
• Due to the critical nature of his work data stored on these devices, Bayerl reportedly spent nearly $8,000 on only partially successful data recovery attempts. These third-party data recovery attempts also attributed the issue to faulty internal firmware on the drives.

Legal Standpoint:
Ian Sloss, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, stated, “We believe the case is strong, that Western Digital’s response to the issue has been delayed, inadequate, and incomplete.”

3) Class Action Lawsuit Led by Plaintiff Saif Jafri

Link: View lawsuit details

Overview:
Plaintiff Saif Jafri, on behalf of himself and those similarly affected, has initiated this class action lawsuit against both SanDisk LLC and Western Digital Corporation. The crux of the lawsuit centers around the allegation that the SSDs manufactured and distributed by the defendants have a design and manufacturing defect that renders them prone to failure.

Key Allegations:

1. Defective Product Design: The lawsuit purports that the SanDisk and Western Digital SSDs face an exceptionally high risk of malfunctioning within an astonishingly short period post-purchase, attributing this to an inherent design and manufacturing flaw.
2. Consequences of Drive Failure: When these drives malfunction, the implication isn’t just a minor glitch; it leads to total data loss. The internal file system of these SSDs gets destroyed, making data retrieval impossible. What exacerbates this situation is that even if users try to reformat the drive, they can’t add new data. Essentially, the drive becomes a non-functional piece of hardware.
3. Spontaneity of Drive Failures: The drives can fail without any discernible provocation from the user side. This spontaneous nature of drive failures means that consumers and professionals who’ve relied on SanDisk for their data storage are left in the lurch, losing invaluable data with no remedy in sight.
4. Value Proposition and Consumer Expectation: The lawsuit emphasizes the sheer incongruity between what consumers anticipate when purchasing a storage device and the reliability of these particular SSDs. The fundamental premise is that no logical consumer would spend substantial amounts on a storage device notorious for its high failure rate. Similarly, no prudent consumer would willingly risk their data by saving it on a notoriously unreliable device.

Scope and Implications:
Given the gravity of the allegations, this lawsuit underscores the massive trust breach consumers face. The apparent unreliability of a product from a reputed company like SanDisk jeopardizes not just consumer trust but also the tangible and intangible assets they hold dear. The case encapsulates the sentiments of possibly tens to hundreds of thousands of affected individuals, many of whom are grappling with the loss of critical data and the consequential professional and personal implications.

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Discover Genuine NAS Deals for Amazon Prime Day 2023 – A Community Effort with Us Hello to our NASCompares Community! The time of year we’ve all been anticipating is upon us – Amazon Prime Day 2023. During this period, an abundance of deals flood our screens, making it a challenge to distinguish the exceptional from […]