Thanks to Adata, we’ll be taking a quick look at the ADATA XPG SX7000 M.2 PCIE Gen3x4 256GB SSD. This storage device utilizes the super-fast PCIe Gen3x4 interface, and can reach extremely high read/write speeds of up to 1800MB/850MB per second, respectively.
It uses 3D NAND Flash memory (TLC), and offers support for SLC Caching, DRAM Cache Buffer, and LDPC ECC technologies … all of which, offers optimized performance and data integrity during intense gaming, rendering, overclocking, or other high-demand applications.
Confused and NAND flash memory? Well, there are several types of NAND flash memory used in most of today’s SSDs. The two most popular are SLC and MLC, and now TLC. Here’s a little background taken from Tomsitpro.
SLC — Single Level Cell: the most expensive, longest lived (high P/E), and generally fastest. Bits are stored only as 2 voltage levels, or a “1” or “0.” In SLC less data is stored per cell, so the per unit storage cost is higher.
MLC — Multi-Level Cell: is consumer grade and used in phones, cameras, and USB sticks. The stored charge in MLC may be interpreted as a variety of values, 0 to 3, or 4 possible states, and may store 2 bits. With shorter lifetimes, usually 10x less than SLC, the advantage of this memory is that the cost is 2- 4x less than SLC, but with lower write speeds. MLC typically uses some form of error correction code per block.
eMLC — Enterprise (grade) Multi-Level Cell: is MLC with longer life, usually because of an advanced controller operating the cell and error recovery techniques, construction density, or some combination of the two. Violin has an interesting explanation of the practical differences between NAND types here.
TLC — Triple Level Cell: championed by Samsung, TLC has higher power and error correction requirements, and higher wear levels. TLC is targeted at environments with predominant read uses, and has not been commonly used.
Check the video below where Linus explains a little about 3D NAND Flash.
Ok, now we’ve got that out of the way … let’s move on and see what the ADATA XPG SX7000
What you’ll notice on Adata’s website are two SSD models, the XPG SX7000 and their newer GAMMIX S10. These two models are identical in specs and in fact, our sample of the XPG SX7000 SSD came with the same heatspeader as the one found on the GAMMIX S10. I’m thinking Adata might have given us the GAMMIX S10 SSD instead. Either way, they should offer identical performance.
About ADATA XPG
Xtreme Performance Gear (XPG) is a sub-brand of ADATA Technology offering the highest-performing computer peripheral products. XPG products distinguish themselves by surpassing ADATA’s stringent A+ Testing Methodology, which ensures the highest standards for superior product stability and ultra-high performance. XPG provides gamers, high-tech product enthusiasts, and overclockers with an extraordinary journey best experienced at full-tilt.
Not only does the XPG line sport solid technical features, its strength shines through just by its sheer cool appearance that has earned prestigious accolades worldwide such as Good Design from Japan and Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. ADATA XPG products are recognized by overclockers and world-renowned professional gaming teams who use ADATA XPG products as their ultimate weapons for victory.
We’ll be testing the ADATA XPG SX7000 on our test rig which is comprised of Asus Maximus IX Hero motherboard, powered by an Intel core-5-7600K, cooled by a Cooler Master MasterLiquid AIO 240mm cooler, along with 26GB G.SKill Trident-Z DDR4-3200 and an Inno3D GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card. Let’s see how it will compare with some of the standard SSDs out there.
Buy the ADATA XPG SX7000
1 comment
256 gig is only up to 1370 read on the spec sheet. 512 gig is up to 1750.