15nm | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:28:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png 15nm | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Toshiba launches 1TB SSD using TLC flash https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/matthew-wilson/toshiba-launches-1tb-ssd-using-tlc-flash/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/matthew-wilson/toshiba-launches-1tb-ssd-using-tlc-flash/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:27:51 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=284667 Toshiba has unveiled its 1TB SSD this week, built using 15nm cell lithography as well as TLC flash. The SG5 SSD comes in the form of a 2.5-inch drive as well as an M.2 drive, this is part of Toshiba's switch over from 19nm SSD devices to denser 15nm NAND variants, which will be phasing …

The post Toshiba launches 1TB SSD using TLC flash first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Toshiba has unveiled its 1TB SSD this week, built using 15nm cell lithography as well as TLC flash. The SG5 SSD comes in the form of a 2.5-inch drive as well as an M.2 drive, this is part of Toshiba's switch over from 19nm SSD devices to denser 15nm NAND variants, which will be phasing in over the next six to twelve months.

As Channel Register points out, these new SG5 M.2 and 2.5-inch drives are intended for consumer desktops and notebooks and will come in 128GB, 512GB and 1TB flavours using a 6Gbit/s SATA interface, with read speeds of up to 545 MB/s and write speeds of up to 388 MB/s.

10180-toshiba-ssd-sg5-1

Right now, IOPS numbers have not been released and we don't know how many hours the drive is rated to last for. However, we do know that the drive makes use of Swing-By Code error-correction technology, which is new so details on exactly what it does for drive performance aren't present just yet.

KitGuru Says: Toshiba is currently working on switching from 19nm to 15nm in its SSDs and this appears to be the first step. Do any of you own a Toshiba drive? 

The post Toshiba launches 1TB SSD using TLC flash first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/matthew-wilson/toshiba-launches-1tb-ssd-using-tlc-flash/feed/ 3
Micron to start sales of SSDs based on TLC NAND this quarter https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/micron-set-to-start-shipments-of-ssds-based-on-tlc-nand-this-quarter/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/micron-set-to-start-shipments-of-ssds-based-on-tlc-nand-this-quarter/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2015 23:21:08 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=270433 Micron Technology plans to finally start shipments of consumer solid-state drives based on triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash in the ongoing quarter, the company revealed this week. SSDs featuring TLC NAND memory will be generally more affordable than non-volatile storage solutions powered by multi-level cell (MLC) flash. “We will begin shipping consumer SSDs based on TLC …

The post Micron to start sales of SSDs based on TLC NAND this quarter first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Micron Technology plans to finally start shipments of consumer solid-state drives based on triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash in the ongoing quarter, the company revealed this week. SSDs featuring TLC NAND memory will be generally more affordable than non-volatile storage solutions powered by multi-level cell (MLC) flash.

“We will begin shipping consumer SSDs based on TLC in the current quarter,” said Mark Adams, the president of Micron, during the most recent conference call with investors and financial analysts.

Although Micron is somewhat late with its TLC NAND products, the company pins a lot of hopes on them. Micron uses 16nm fabrication process to make its TLC NAND, which means that the memory should be very cheap, but also less durable than TLC produced using thicker manufacturing technologies. The company projects that about 50 per cent of its SSDs will use TLC NAND in Q3 2016.

TLC NAND flash memory stores three bits of information per one memory cell and is about 20 – 25 per cent cheaper to make compared to MLC NAND. However, triple-level cell is generally less durable than multi-level cell flash: contemporary MLC NAND can sustain around 3000 program-erase (P/E) cycles, but TLC NAND endures only around 1000 P/E cycles. Moreover, TLC memory is usually slower than MLC. To build a reliable and fast solid-state storage solution using TLC flash memory, a special set of technologies (e.g., an advanced controller that supports error-correction capabilities, advanced firmware, etc.) is required.

micron_m600_ssd_1

Micron has used TLC NAND for various removable applications for a while now. However, in Q4 2015 the company plans to begin sales of its SSDs based on its most cost efficient flash memory. The roll-out of Micron’s TLC-based solid-state drives indicates that the company has done a lot of work developing such drives.

Micron did not reveal any details about its SSDs featuring TLC NAND, but expect such drives to target cost-effective, but not high-performance applications.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It will be very interesting to see what Micron’s engineers will be able to do with the company’s TLC NAND memory. Samsung Electronics, SanDisk Corp. and Toshiba Corp. have been offering TLC-based SSDs for a while and none of them are performance champions. Perhaps, Micron will manage to either offer considerably better performance or lower price than its rivals do.

The post Micron to start sales of SSDs based on TLC NAND this quarter first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/micron-set-to-start-shipments-of-ssds-based-on-tlc-nand-this-quarter/feed/ 0
OCZ readies RevoDrive 400: M.2 SSD with NVMe support https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/ocz-readies-revodrive-400-m-2-ssd-with-nvme-support/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/ocz-readies-revodrive-400-m-2-ssd-with-nvme-support/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2015 22:10:24 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=264875 OCZ Storage Solutions, a supplier of solid-state drives controlled by Toshiba Corp., is working on a new high-end SSD for performance enthusiasts. The new RevoDrive 400 uses M.2 form-factor, but fully supports NVMe protocol and has very high performance. The product will compete against workstation-class PCI Express-based SSDs from companies like Intel. The OCZ RevoDrive …

The post OCZ readies RevoDrive 400: M.2 SSD with NVMe support first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
OCZ Storage Solutions, a supplier of solid-state drives controlled by Toshiba Corp., is working on a new high-end SSD for performance enthusiasts. The new RevoDrive 400 uses M.2 form-factor, but fully supports NVMe protocol and has very high performance. The product will compete against workstation-class PCI Express-based SSDs from companies like Intel.

The OCZ RevoDrive 400 will be based on Toshiba’s multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory made using 15nm fabrication process, reports TechReport. It is unknown which controller does the RevoDrive 400 use, but it is claimed that the new SSD uses a controller from Toshiba, not OCZ’s own JetStream Express ASIC [application-specific integrated circuit].

The new enthusiast-class RevoDrive 400 from OCZ will use M.2 form-factor with PCI Express 3.0 x4 interface with 4GB/s peak bandwidth. Actual read speeds of the SSDs are expected to be as high as 2000MB/s and write speeds around 1600MB/s – 2000MB/s.

ocz_revodrive-400

The OCZ RevoDrive 400 solid-state drive was demonstrated last week at the Intel Developer Forum is expected to hit the market later this year and will be the company’s flagship offering for performance enthusiasts.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It is surprising that OCZ decided to use a controller from Toshiba, but not its own Jetstream Express chip, which has been in development for several years. Perhaps, Toshiba wants to re-use as much of its own IP as possible in OCZ drives in a bid to maximize profitability and ensure quality and performance.

The post OCZ readies RevoDrive 400: M.2 SSD with NVMe support first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/ocz-readies-revodrive-400-m-2-ssd-with-nvme-support/feed/ 4
Plextor officially introduces low-cost TLC NAND-based SSDs https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/plextor-officially-introduces-low-cost-tlc-nand-based-ssds/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/plextor-officially-introduces-low-cost-tlc-nand-based-ssds/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2015 11:58:46 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=259039 Plextor, a leading maker of solid-state drives primarily known for high-end SSDs, this week officially introduced its M6V family of products that target customers in budget. The new M6V lineup features triple-level-cell (TLC) NAND flash memory and an inexpensive controller. Nonetheless, Plextor claims that the drives boast with the company’s legendary reliability and sustained performance. …

The post Plextor officially introduces low-cost TLC NAND-based SSDs first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Plextor, a leading maker of solid-state drives primarily known for high-end SSDs, this week officially introduced its M6V family of products that target customers in budget. The new M6V lineup features triple-level-cell (TLC) NAND flash memory and an inexpensive controller. Nonetheless, Plextor claims that the drives boast with the company’s legendary reliability and sustained performance.

The Plextor M6V family of solid-state drives will be offered in 2.5”/7mm (M6V), M.2 2280 (M6GV) and mSATA (M6MV) form-factors. The drives will feature 128GB, 256GB and 512GB (2.5” and M.2 models only) capacities, all of which are rated to offer maximum sequential read/write speed of up to 535/455MB/s. Maximum random 4K read/write speed declared by the manufacturer is 83000/80000 IOPS [input/output operations per second]. See precise specifications below.

plextor_m6v_ssd
Plextor M6V. Image by Hermitage Akihabara

The Plextor M6V SSD is based on quad-channel Silicon Motion SM2246EN controller that was designed for inexpensive solid-state drives. The new value SSDs from Plextor use Toshiba’s TLC NAND flash memory chips produced using 15nm process technology that feature toggle DDR interface.

Plextor claims that its M6V solid-state drives fully support PlexTurbo intelligent RAM caching designed to improve performance beyond limitations of Serial ATA-6Gb/s interface. The company makes no claims about its TrueSpeed technology, which ensures that SSDs perform like new after prolonged period of active usage. Nonetheless, Plextor says that its new SSDs feature “excellent, stable performance and quality.”

Traditionally, Plextor uses SSD controllers from Marvell, but for its value series of SSDs the company decided to use Silicon Motion’s SM2246EN chip. While the controller is primarily aimed at inexpensive solid-state drives, select Plextor M6V SSDs feature performance that is higher compared to more expensive M6S SSDs. Moreover, Plextor’s optimized firmware helped to boost IOPS performance of M6V beyond what is officially supported by the controller.

plextor_m6v_ssd_pcb
PCB of Plextor M6V. Image by Hermitage Akihabara

The Plextor M6V solid-state drives have a MTBF (mean time between failures) of 1.5 million hours and come with three-year warranty. The new SSDs are expected to hit the market shortly.

Select stores in Japan already offer Plextor’s new drives: the 128GB model costs ¥6980 (£36, $56.5, €51), the 256GB drive is priced at ¥11580 (£60, $93.7, €85), whereas the 512GB model retails for ¥32180 (£166.6, $260.5, €236). Keeping in mind that Japanese prices are higher than those in the U.S. and Europe, expect Plextor’s M6V to be really affordable.

plextor_m6v

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: A 256GB Plextor SSD for less than $100 in Japan? Sounds like a great deal! If Plextor’s M6V features TrueSpeed technology and can guarantee maximum performance over prolonged periods of active usage, then it will be a bestseller among the value solid-state drives. If not, it remains to be seen (and tested) how good the Plextor M6V actually is.

The post Plextor officially introduces low-cost TLC NAND-based SSDs first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/plextor-officially-introduces-low-cost-tlc-nand-based-ssds/feed/ 2
SanDisk to begin shipments of 15nm NAND flash this year https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/sandisk-to-begin-shipments-of-15nm-nand-flash-this-year/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/sandisk-to-begin-shipments-of-15nm-nand-flash-this-year/#respond Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:55:33 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=217519 SanDisk Corp. said that it is on-track to ship NAND flash memory produced using 15nm fabrication process this quarter. The company will expand production using 15nm process technology in 2015. SanDisk believes that such memory will be considerably cheaper compared to NAND produced by other makers. “We are on track to begin product shipments of …

The post SanDisk to begin shipments of 15nm NAND flash this year first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
SanDisk Corp. said that it is on-track to ship NAND flash memory produced using 15nm fabrication process this quarter. The company will expand production using 15nm process technology in 2015. SanDisk believes that such memory will be considerably cheaper compared to NAND produced by other makers.

“We are on track to begin product shipments of 15nm this quarter, with meaningful production in Q1 of 2015,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, chief executive officer of SanDisk, during a conference call with investors and financial analysts last week. “We believe our 15nm technology node, using both X2 (MLC – KitGuru) and X3 (TLC – KitGuru) architectures, will be the lowest cost memory technology in the industry in 2015, with capability to serve all product apps, ranging from consumer to enterprise.”

It is interesting to note that Toshiba announced 15nm NAND flash back in April. Apparently, actual mass production of memory using 15nm process technology started only recently…

While NAND flash made using thinner process technologies tends to be cheaper than NAND flash made using thicker fabrication processes, it should be noted that it also features lower write endurance. For example, if multi-level cell NAND flash made using 40nm-class process could sustain around 10000 program-erase cycles, then modern MLC NAND can sustain only around 3000 P/E cycles. Endurance of SanDisk’s 15nm NAND flash is unclear.

toshiba_15nm_nand_flash

Since SanDisk co-owns NAND flash production facilities with Toshiba, it is logical to expect the latter to also start shipping 15nm NAND flash to its partners this year. For example, OCZ, which is owned by Toshiba, could launch SSDs based on the new memory early in 2015.

The Q4 of SanDisk’s fiscal year corresponds to the fourth calendar quarter.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It will be interesting to see how durable will TLC NAND flash memory made using 15nm technology be. Will it endure 1000 P/E cycles like modern TLC, or will it become even less durable?

The post SanDisk to begin shipments of 15nm NAND flash this year first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/sandisk-to-begin-shipments-of-15nm-nand-flash-this-year/feed/ 0
Toshiba shows off its first TLC NAND-based SSD https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/toshiba-shows-off-its-first-tlc-nand-based-ssd/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/toshiba-shows-off-its-first-tlc-nand-based-ssd/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2014 02:51:30 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=206038 At the Flash Memory Summit trade-show that takes place in Santa Clara, California, this week Toshiba Corp. has showcased its first solid-state drive based on triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash memory. While the SSD is designed for client devices, it will be aimed only at embedded applications and will not reach the consumer market. Triple-level …

The post Toshiba shows off its first TLC NAND-based SSD first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
At the Flash Memory Summit trade-show that takes place in Santa Clara, California, this week Toshiba Corp. has showcased its first solid-state drive based on triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash memory. While the SSD is designed for client devices, it will be aimed only at embedded applications and will not reach the consumer market.

Triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash memory promises to significantly reduce the costs and prices of solid-state drives. The main challenge with TLC NAND flash memory is its relatively low endurance compared to multi-level cell (MLC) or single-level cell (SLC) memory. TLC NAND sustains around 1000 of program-erase (P/E) cycles. Therefore, in order to create a reliable high-performance SSD based on TLC NAND flash memory made using a leading fabrication process, a special set of technologies (such as a new controller that supports error-correction capabilities, advanced firmware, etc.) is needed.

Samsung Electronics has been using TLC NAND for consumer-class 840-series SSDs for nearly two years now, but its rivals still use TLC NAND for other storage devices.

toshiba_ssd_6

At the Flash Memory Summit trade-show Toshiba showcased its SG4-series TLC NAND-based embedded client SSDs (the company did not reveal specs of the drive). While the drives will power certain devices, they will not hit the market of SSDs and will therefore not rival Samsung’s inexpensive SSD offerings, which is not really good for the market.

It is noteworthy that Toshiba and SanDisk planned to start mass production of TLC NAND flash memory using leading-edge 15nm process technology this summer. Perhaps, eventually such memory will be used for affordable SSDs by both companies. However, at this trade-show the company only demonstrated its TLC-based embedded SSD.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While TLC NAND is good for entry-level storage solutions, mainstream and high-end SSDs tend to utilise MLC NAND. Therefore, the competition in the higher-end segment of the market will continue, at least, till SATA Express SSDs emerge and Samsung will be able to demonstrate the advantages of its 3D V-NAND in all of its glory…

The post Toshiba shows off its first TLC NAND-based SSD first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/toshiba-shows-off-its-first-tlc-nand-based-ssd/feed/ 0
Marvell unveils controller for SSDs with 2GB/s and 4GB/s bandwidth https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/marvell-unveils-controller-for-future-ssds-with-2gbs-and-4gbs-bandwidth/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/marvell-unveils-controller-for-future-ssds-with-2gbs-and-4gbs-bandwidth/#comments Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:58:07 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=206017 Marvell this week introduced its new controller that will power next-generation ultra-high-performance solid-state drives with PCI Express 3.0 or SATA Express interfaces. The controller also supports non-volatile memory express (NVMe) 1.1 specification and can support not only consumer, but also server-class SSDs. The Marvell 88SS1093 NVMe controller with three processing cores supports up to four …

The post Marvell unveils controller for SSDs with 2GB/s and 4GB/s bandwidth first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Marvell this week introduced its new controller that will power next-generation ultra-high-performance solid-state drives with PCI Express 3.0 or SATA Express interfaces. The controller also supports non-volatile memory express (NVMe) 1.1 specification and can support not only consumer, but also server-class SSDs.

The Marvell 88SS1093 NVMe controller with three processing cores supports up to four PCI Express 3.0 lanes and thus can enable SSDs with 2GB/s – 4GB/s of bandwidth along with unparalleled IOPS performance using the NVMe advanced command handling. The controller fully supports separate reference clock with independent spread spectrum clocking architecture (SRIS) technology for PCIe 3.0 data-rates, an industry’s first.

The new 88SS1093 controller supports different types of NAND flash memory, including the up-to-date and the upcoming 15nm TLC/MLC/SLC and 3D NAND chips. The chip features the company’s latest NANDEdge LDPC error correction control and management to make SSDs more reliable and durable. The controller can enable SSDs with up to 2TB of capacity.

marvell_ssd_reference

 

A reference Marvell-based PCIe SSD. Image for illustrative purposes only.

The Marvell 88SS1093 SSD controller is made using 28nm process technology. It also supports new low-power management(L1.2) design as well as M.2/2.5 slim form-factors, which means that it can power very different SSDs.

The 88SS1093 is currently sampling to leading customers. Marvell believes its NVMe SSD controllers will be an ideal solution for next generation of high-performance SSD for client platforms coming in 2015 as well as today’s hyperscale data center applications.

“I am very excited to see that our new SSD controller solution has once again raised the technology bar with superior performance, high reliability and robust security,” said Weili Dai, president and co-founder of Marvell. “I am very proud of our close collaboration with leading tier one OEM and ODM partners around the world in enabling the rapid growth of the SSD market from client devices to data centers and enterprise systems.”

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It looks like next-year’s SSDs will offer simply unprecedented performance: up to 2TB capacity, up to 4TB/s bandwidth along with improved reliability and durability. The prices are unknown, but thanks to TLC and 3D NAND types of flash memory they should not be too high.

The post Marvell unveils controller for SSDs with 2GB/s and 4GB/s bandwidth first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/marvell-unveils-controller-for-future-ssds-with-2gbs-and-4gbs-bandwidth/feed/ 1
Marvell unveils SSD controller with 15nm TLC NAND flash support https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/marvell-unveils-ssd-controller-with-15nm-tlc-nand-flash-support/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/marvell-unveils-ssd-controller-with-15nm-tlc-nand-flash-support/#respond Wed, 28 May 2014 22:57:56 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=195609 Marvell, a leading designer of controllers for solid-state drives, on Wednesday introduced its latest Marvell 88SS1074 SATA SSD chip that is expected to power affordable SSDs next year. The controller supports virtually all types of NAND flash memory, including the latest-generation triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash made using 15nm fabrication process, along with advanced error-correction …

The post Marvell unveils SSD controller with 15nm TLC NAND flash support first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Marvell, a leading designer of controllers for solid-state drives, on Wednesday introduced its latest Marvell 88SS1074 SATA SSD chip that is expected to power affordable SSDs next year. The controller supports virtually all types of NAND flash memory, including the latest-generation triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash made using 15nm fabrication process, along with advanced error-correction technologies.

In the recent years NAND flash memory got substantially cheaper, which affected prices of solid-state drives and made them much more affordable than they used to be some six or seven years ago. One of the ways to reduce the cost of NAND flash memory is to decrease the size of each memory cell, something which is made using transitions to thinner manufacturing technologies (i.e., from 25nm to 20nm). Another way to cut-down the cost of NAND flash is to increase the amount of bits that are stored by each cell (i.e., single-level cell [SLC] can store one bit per cell, multi-level cell [MLC] can store two bits per cell, triple-level cell [TLC] can store three bits per cell).

Unfortunately, as fabrication processes shrink and the amount of bits per cell increases, reliability of such NAND flash drops because the maximum number of program-erase (P/E) cycles decreases. For example, if SLC memory chips produced several years ago were guaranteed to withstand around 100 thousand P/E cycles before the wear begins to weaken the integrity of the storage, then modern MLC NAND flash can endure 3000 – 10000 P/E cycles, whereas in case of TLC the number of P/E cycles a cell can sustain may be just about 1000. As a consequence, in order to create a reliable high-performance SSD based on TLC NAND flash memory made using 15nm fabrication process, a special set of technologies (such as a new controller that supports error-correction capabilities, advanced firmware, etc.) is needed.

plextor_ssd_4

Plextor SSDs are powered by Marvell controllers

The Marvell 88SS1074 SATA SSD controller deploys the company’s third generation NANDEdge error-correcting, low-density parity check (LDPC) technology. NANDEdge provides more than three times the error correction capability and is well suited for new TLC/MLC/SLC NAND flash memory made using the latest fabrication processes, the company said. By leveraging Marvell’s NANDEdge technology, the 88SS1074 controller delivers high performance while enabling superior NAND endurance and reliability, which are crucial for TLC SSD to exceed storage requirements.

The Marvell 88SS1074 controller supports SLC, MLC, TLC and 3D NAND flash memory produced using various technologies down to 15nm. The IC supports memory chips with ONFI 3/toggle 2 interface at up to 400MT/s rates. To cut-down power consumption of upcoming SSDs, the controller also supports integrated device sleep (DEVSLP) mode. According to Marvell, the 88SS1074 is made using 28nm process technology and consumes less power than existing solutions, making it one of the most power-efficient SSD controllers on the market.

The 88SS1074 is currently sampling to leading customers. According to companies like Micron Technology, TLC NAND-based SSDs should emerge next year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The 88SS1074 will power affordable SSDs that will rely on Serial ATA-6Gb/s interface, so do not expect them to significantly outperform existing high-end models. Nonetheless, when it comes to the price, SSDs powered by the new controller from Marvell as well as TLC NAND should be very competitive.

The post Marvell unveils SSD controller with 15nm TLC NAND flash support first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/marvell-unveils-ssd-controller-with-15nm-tlc-nand-flash-support/feed/ 0
SanDisk to release 8TB SSD in 2015, 16TB SSD a year after https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/sandisk-to-release-8tb-ssd-in-2015-16tb-ssd-a-year-after/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/sandisk-to-release-8tb-ssd-in-2015-16tb-ssd-a-year-after/#comments Sat, 03 May 2014 15:23:06 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=190959 Many modern storage sub-systems – both client and server – use solid-state drives to store frequently accessed data and programs and hard disk drives to keep large amounts of data that require a lot of storage space, but is not used often. Basically, storage sub-systems enjoy the best of both worlds: performance of SSDs and …

The post SanDisk to release 8TB SSD in 2015, 16TB SSD a year after first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Many modern storage sub-systems – both client and server – use solid-state drives to store frequently accessed data and programs and hard disk drives to keep large amounts of data that require a lot of storage space, but is not used often. Basically, storage sub-systems enjoy the best of both worlds: performance of SSDs and cost-efficient capacities of HDDs. But SanDisk Corp. believes that in the coming years SSDs will leave HDDs behind both in terms of performance and capacity, at least in one market segment.

Late last month SanDisk unveiled the world’s first solid-state drives with 4TB capacity aimed at mission-critical storage applications. The Optimus Max SSD not only outperforms the latest-generation mission-critical hard drives with 10K and 15K rpm spindle speed, but also provides larger storage capacity and consumes less power. The 4TB enterprise-class solid-state drive costs a lot today, but SanDisk has clear intentions to offer even higher-capacity SSDs in the coming years as prices of NAND flash drop: 6TB and 8TB drives are projected to emerge already in 2015.

“We see reaching the 4TB mark as really just the beginning and expect to continue doubling the capacity every year or two, far outpacing the growth for traditional HDDs,” said Manuel Martull, product and solutions marketing director at SanDisk, in a conversation with Computerworld.

sandisk_ssd_trends

The representative for SanDisk reportedly confirmed plans to release 6TB and 8TB Optimus Max SSDs in 2.5” form-factor next year. If the company and its NAND flash manufacturing partner Toshiba Corp. keep the same pace of optimising manufacturing costs of memory, then it is reasonable to expect 16TB mission-critical/enterprise SSDs from SanDisk in 2016.

Although solid-state drives for mission-critical applications will remain more expensive than comparable hard disk drives when it comes to per-gigabyte cost in 2015 – 2016 timeframe, if they provide larger capacities, higher performance and lower power consumption, many owners of datacentres should get very interested in them.

“High capacity and small footprint of the drives will offer users a path for transitioning from hard disk drives to SSDs because they will no longer be forced to decide between cost and performance, or give up important functionality,” said John Scaramuzzo, general manager of SanDisk's enterprise storage solutions group.

Even today one Optimus Max 4TB (up to 400MB/s sequential read/write, up to 75K/15K random read/write IOPS, 1-3 drive writes per day for five years) provides three to four times larger capacity compared to mission-critical 10K HDDs, two to four times higher sequential read and write performance and order-of-magnitude higher amount of random read/write input/output operations per second (IOPS). With 8TB and 16TB capacities, SSDs for mission critical applications will offer even stronger advantage.

sandisk_ssd_trends_1

SanDisk expects that sometimes in 2017 and onward the per-GB price of mission-critical solid-state drives and hard disk drives will be comparable. At the same time, SSDs will offer higher performance, lower power consumption and other benefits.
A market rumour suggests that the current-gen 10K and 15K HDDs represent the last generation of mission-critical hard drives as we know them. Going forward there will be other storage devices for this market segment.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It should be clearly noted that per-GB price-parity between mission-critical SSDs and HDDs does not mean that there will be a similar per-GB price-parity between high-capacity client or server hard drives and client or server solid-state drives. For many years down the road high-capacity HDDs will continue to be used to store large amounts of data both on client and server sides.

The post SanDisk to release 8TB SSD in 2015, 16TB SSD a year after first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/anton-shilov/sandisk-to-release-8tb-ssd-in-2015-16tb-ssd-a-year-after/feed/ 1
Toshiba, SanDisk start mass production of 15nm NAND memory https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/toshiba-sandisk-start-mass-production-of-15nm-nand-flash-memory/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/toshiba-sandisk-start-mass-production-of-15nm-nand-flash-memory/#respond Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:05:23 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=188706 Toshiba Corp. and SanDisk Corp. on Wednesday said that they would start to produce multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory using 15nm fabrication process later in April. The new manufacturing technology allows Toshiba to make world’s smallest and potentially cost-efficient 128Gb NAND flash memory. Initially, Toshiba and SanDisk will produce 128Gb MLC (two-bits-per-cell) MLC NAND …

The post Toshiba, SanDisk start mass production of 15nm NAND memory first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Toshiba Corp. and SanDisk Corp. on Wednesday said that they would start to produce multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory using 15nm fabrication process later in April. The new manufacturing technology allows Toshiba to make world’s smallest and potentially cost-efficient 128Gb NAND flash memory.

Initially, Toshiba and SanDisk will produce 128Gb MLC (two-bits-per-cell) MLC NAND flash memory using the 15nm process technology at Fab 5 phase one, where the fabrication tech will replace the companies’ second-gen 19nm manufacturing process. The phase stage of Fab 5 is currently under construction, and the new technology will also be deployed there.

The new 128Gb MLC NAND flash chips achieve the same write speed as chips formed with second generation 19nm process technology, but boost the data transfer rate to 533Mb/s, 30 per cent faster, by employing a higher speed interface.

Toshiba claims that it had achieved the world's smallest class chip size with the 15nm process and improved peripheral circuitry technology.

toshiba_15nm_nand_flash

According to SanDisk, the 15nm technology uses numerous progressive process innovations and cell-design solutions to scale the chips along both axes. SanDisk's All-Bit-Line (ABL) architecture, which contains proprietary programming algorithms and multi-level data storage management schemes, has been implemented in the 1Z technology to deliver NAND flash solutions with no sacrifice in memory performance or reliability. SanDisk’s 1Z technology will be utilized across its broad range of solutions, from removable cards to enterprise SSDs.

Separately, Toshiba announced that it would use the 15nm fabrication process to produce triple-level-cell (TLC, three-bits-per-cell, 3bpc) NAND flash memory. Such memory, provided that the yields are sufficient, will be the world’s most cost-efficient NAND flash. The company aims to start mass production of TLC NAND using 15nm process in June, 2014.

The company intends to develop controllers for 3bpc embedded NAND flash memory in parallel and introduce TLC NAND products for smartphones and tablets. Eventually Toshiba will use 15nm TLC NAND with special controllers for solid-state drives.

Toshiba and SanDisk run joint NAND flash manufacturing operations in Japan.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If Toshiba and SanDisk manage to sustain 3000 write/erase cycles with 15nm MLC NAND (typical amount of cycles sustained by modern MLC), then the new memory type will enable lower-cost SSDs already this year. In case the new type of memory (like 15nm TLC NAND) requires new controllers, then its adoption will take time.

The post Toshiba, SanDisk start mass production of 15nm NAND memory first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/toshiba-sandisk-start-mass-production-of-15nm-nand-flash-memory/feed/ 0