ADATA S511 240GB SSD Review (Sandforce 2281)

As our sample was just out of the production factory, we don't have any retail packaging. ADATA did tell us that the retail package will contain backup and restoration software and a 3.5 drive bay mount.

Using a very high powered flash (above) it is easier to see the anodised aluminum style finish to the drive chassis. It is opened by removing four small screws on the rear. Please be aware if you do this, you invalidate the warranty. We don’t really care, but if you buy one, you should.

The unit we are reviewing today is the 240GB model, although ADATA are releasing 120GB and 60GB versions as well. ADATA have placed a NAND partition of 16 ICs onto the PCB. Technically, new 25nm NAND FLASH memory has a reduced overall lifespan from 10,000 upwards to around 5,000 program/erase cycles. Industry insiders have hinted that consumer grade 25nm NAND flash memory will have a slightly lower lifespan, between 3,000 and 4,000 program/erase cycles.

While this sounds concerning, if you work out that under normal conditions only between 20-35 full SSD write cycles will be used each year, there is plenty of life in the product. Drive wearing protection also helps to ensure longer lasting flash memory. Thankfully, there is also full TRIM support.

As many already know Sandforce controllers use real time compression. The controllers store a ‘representation’ of your data, not the actual data itself which is achieved by creating a partition of the available NAND flash memory. It can handle around 63 MB/s from one of the eight available channels.

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