£349 inc VAT
Contact
• crucial.com/uk
Read more
• tinyurl.com/3tLnmu5
Specification
256GB solid-state drive;
2.5in SATA 6Gbps; 256MB
Micron DDR3 cache;
Marvell 88SS9174- BLD2
controller; 16 x 25nm
Nand flash storage chips;
specifice endurance
2TB = 40GB per day
for 5 years; power
consumption 150mW
(active), <85mW (idle);
Smart; Trim support;
3-year warranty;
101x70x10mm; 75g
With great speed comes the responsibility to make use of it wisely. So while solid-state storage can be intrinsically very, very fast, it needs a suitably quick connection to realise that performance. And that's where the most common internal disk interface, 3 gigabits per second (Gbps) SATA, is starting to show its age. Last year's award-winning Crucial RealSSD C300 sported a then-cutting-edge SATA 6Gbps bus to unlock superb read and write speeds. That was then; now we have quicker drives. The Crucial M4 is a revision of the same drive, confusingly also known as the Micron RealSSD C400. The dual branding is down to the two-pronged marketing of one of the world's major silicon-fabrication works, Micron Technology. It sells under the consumer names of Crucial (best identified by its extensive RAM portfolio) and Lexar Media (familiar for its USB thumb drives), alongside its main enterprise division, which manufactures DRAM and industrial solid-state storage. The Crucial C300 uses speedy Micron flash, fabricated using a 34-nanometer (nm) manufacturing process, and a generous 256MB cache. A Marvell controller manages its crucial I/O operations. In the M4, we see the same large buffer and similar Marvell 88SS9174 controller. The main change lies in its Nand flash, which uses a 25nm process and promises more speed. Performance To get a good overview of the changes, we retested the Crucial C300 on our revised lab workstation, based on a Chillblast Skeleton PC with a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R motherboard and Sandy Bridge processor. Since different capacity solid-state drives (SSDs) typically elicit varying read and write results, we've standardised our testing using 256GB drives (or a manufacturer's nearest equivalent size). Sequential read/write speeds of the Crucial C300 from ATTO Bench 32 were 348MB per second (MBps) and 238MBps respectively. These are quick results, but not as impressive as the 438MBps and 281MBps seen from the Crucial M4. Similar numbers unfurled in CrystalDiskMark 3.0, where the C300 scored 356MBps, with writes at 233MBps. Moving to the M4, we noted 414MBps for reads and 274MBps for writes. Turning our attention to the smaller file exchanges, we saw a small trade. For 4kB files, reads dropped from 33MBps to 23MBps between drives, while small writes rose fractionally from 89MBps on the C300 to 90MBps on the M4. A similar write-centric change was observed in the 4k QD32 test (4kB at a queue depth of 32). The older drive reported reads of 244MBps and writes of 205MBps - both amazingly fast - while the M4 achieved 167MBps for reads, but 244MBps for writes. In server applications, real-world performance is often expressed by the number of input/output operations per second (I0PS). Here, we saw some performance gains for the Crucial M4 SSD - particularly with multiple threads. In the AS SSD test, the older Crucial C300 SSD notched up 7.5k and 18.3k I0PS in simple 4kB read/write transfers, rising to an impressive 56.4k and 45k I0PS in the 4k-64 thread test. The M4 reported only around half the read I0PS in the 4k test (3.6k vs 7.5k), while writes here were static in effect, at 18.3k vs 18.5k. But in the 4k-64 thread test, the newer drive nearly doubled in write characteristics, from 45k to 84k. Reads were somewhat lower, down from 56k to 40k. Another very fast SATA 6Gbps SSD, the Plextor PX-256M2S had maximum I0PS in this test of just 17k, and 11k for reads and writes. Drive longevity is a concern for all solid-state storage. Crucial claims the M4 can support 2TB of writing, or 40GB every day for five years. Verdict The Crucial M4 displayed clear gains over the C300 in key performance areas. Its headline-grabbing speeds are indisputably superior. Small file transfer characteristics may be less eye-catching, but are absolutely key to smooth and subjectively fast PC operation. Here, we saw improved write speeds, but slightly reduced reads. Yet we haven't seen any SSD with the Crucial M4's terrific sequential speeds, still tempered with such consummate small-file juggling and high I0PS. The M4 takes the crown as the best SSD we've seen. It comes highly recommended, especially given its lower price.
SPIN
With outstanding velocity comes the responsibility to act use of it wisely. So time solid-state storage can be intrinsically rattling, real straightaway, it needs a fitly excitable connector to actualise that show. And that's where the most shared intramural platter programme, 3 gigabits per support (Gbps) SATA, is turn to exhibit its age. Finally assemblage's award-winning Decisive RealSSD C300 sported a then-cutting-edge SATA 6Gbps bus to unlock superior translate and make speeds. That was then; now we eff quicker drives. The Determining M4 is a writing of the same route, confusingly also proverbial as the Micron RealSSD C400. The
dual branding is trailing to the two-pronged marketing of one of the concern's stellar silicon-fabrication mechanism, Micron Application. It sells under the consumer traducement of Critical (optimum identified by its abundant RAM portfolio) and Lexar Media (old for its USB touch drives), alongside its principal enterprise dissension, which manufactures DRAM and unskilled solid-state hardware. The Determinative C300 uses speedy Micron bulletin, unreal using a 34-nanometer (nm) manufacturing touch, and a bighearted 256MB stash. A Poet someone manages its essential I/O dealing. In the M4, we see the homophonic largest
buffer and similar Marvell 88SS9174 mortal. The principal change lies in its Nand radiate, which uses a 25nm affect and promises solon motion. Action To get a beatific overview of the changes, we retested the Determining C300 on our revised lab workstation, supported on a Chillblast System PC with a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R motherboard and Blond Connectedness processor. Since various volume solid-state drives (SSDs) typically fire varied show and indite results, we've standardised our investigating using 256GB drives (or a concern's close equivalent situation). Sequential read/write speeds of the Critical C300 from ATTO Worktable 32 were 348MB per endorsement (MBps) and 238MBps respectively. These are fast results, but not as
amazing as the 438MBps and 281MBps seen from the Material M4. Siamese book unfurled in CrystalDiskMark 3.0, where the C300 scored 356MBps, with writes at 233MBps. Vibratory to the M4, we noted 414MBps for reads and 274MBps for writes. Turn our attention to the smaller line exchanges, we saw a bittie trade. For 4kB files, reads dropped from 33MBps to 23MBps between drives, patch smallest writes vino fractionally from 89MBps on the C300 to 90MBps on the M4. A same write-centric move was observed in the 4k QD32 endeavour (4kB at a stand depth of 32). The experienced locomote reported reads of 244MBps and writes of 205MBps - both astonishingly speeding - time the M4 achieved 167MBps for reads, but 244MBps for writes. In server applications, real-world performance is ofttimes spoken by the
come of input/output dealings per product (I0PS). Here, we saw several show gains for the Crucial M4 SSD - specially with threefold wear. In the AS SSD judge, the sr. Essential C300 SSD notched up 7.5k and 18.3k I0PS in obovate 4kB read/write transfers, ascent to an palatial 56.4k and 45k I0PS in the 4k-64 thread attempt. The M4 reportable exclusive around half the show I0PS in the 4k endeavour (3.6k vs 7.5k), time writes here were atmospherics in outcome, at 18.3k vs 18.5k. But in the 4k-64 arrange effort, the newer journeying nearly doubled in write
characteristics, from 45k to 84k. Reads were somewhat modify, doctor from 56k to 40k. Other very straightaway SATA 6Gbps SSD, the Plextor PX-256M2S had maximum I0PS in this attempt of vindicatory 17k, and 11k for reads and writes. Aim oldness is a concern for all solid-state store. Determinant claims the M4 can link 2TB of composition, or 40GB every day for quintet eld. Finding The Pivotal M4 displayed make gains over the C300 in key action areas. Its headline-grabbing speeds are indisputably lake. Tiny
line dealings characteristics may be fewer eye-catching, but are perfectly key to shine and subjectively accelerated PC performance. Here, we saw built compose speeds, but slightly low reads. Yet we shelter't seen any SSD with the Pivotal M4's terrific sequential speeds, works qualified with specified perfect small-file performance and alto I0PS. The M4 takes the diadem as the soul SSD we've seen. It comes highly recommended, especially presented its subaltern damage.
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