The Corsair SSD Toolbox
Published on 05/06/2013By Mike Clements
Hardcore gamers, Ultra HD video creators, and professional visual designers: your SSD is here.
The Neutron Series XT solid-state drive delivers best-in-class sequential and random read/write transfer speeds backed up by end-to-end data path protection, enhanced error correction and power loss protection for a consistent and reliable experience.
Professional PC gaming, visual design and real-time Ultra HD video capture require you to move large amounts of error-free data at the best available speeds, and Neutron Series XT SSD provides the performance you need when reliable high-bandwidth data storage is essential.
High-performance quad-core SSD controller
If you need low command latency and top-tier sustained performance, there’s no substitute for a multi-core controller. Neutron Series XT has an integral quad-core controller for reliably high bandwidth.
Exceptional transfer speeds
With a sequentially read speed of 560MB/s, a sequential write speed of 540MB/s, 100K IOPs of 4KB random reads and 90K IOPs of 4K random writes, Neutron XT effectively saturates the SATA 6Gbps interface.
Consistent performance
The extremely high sustained transfer rates enable you to capture professional FullHD and 4K uncompressed video in real-time, so Neutron XT is the ideal upgrade for your professional video gear that records directly to SSDs. If you’re a professional gamer (or just practicing to be one) the reliable performance helps you run at higher resolutions and detail settings with smooth, glitch-free motion and level loads.
End-to-End Data Path Protection
The entire data path within the SSD controller, from the host to the NAND gates, is fully protected against data corruption. This is critical for reliable performance under varying storage workloads.
Enhanced Error Correction
The science of fast and secure data storage includes SmartECC™ and SmartRefresh™ for state of the art data retention and error correction.
Broad compatibility with PCs, notebooks, ultraslim notebooks, and video recording gear
Neutron Series XT follows the universal 2.5” standard, and easily mounts in desktop PCs with 2.5” drive bays.
The 7mm form factor fits both standard notebooks as well as the latest generation of slim notebook designs. If you’re considering upgrading your notebook to something slimmer, your XT can move with it.
More Features
Low Power Consumption
95% less power consumption than hard disk drives means better energy efficiency for your desktop machine and longer battery life for your laptop.
Power Loss Protection
If it’s worth saving, it’s worth keeping. With a Neutron Series XT in your PC or video gear, the advanced SmartFlush™ and GuaranteedFlush™ technologies helps protect your data if there’s a sudden power loss.
Static and Dynamic Wear-Leveling
Data is strategically written to the drive to protect against uneven wear of the flash memory blocks.
Compatible with Corsair SSD Toolbox
Corsair Toolbox, a free download for owners of Corsair solid-state drives, provides the tools you need for smart SSD management including optimization, cloning, and secure erasing of confidential data.
COMPATIBILITY
- SATA 6GB/s
- Backward compatible with SATA II and SATA I
- Windows 7, Vista, and XP, Mac OS X, Linux
- 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive bay
Technical Specifications
- Endurance: 124TBW
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
- SSD Operating Temperature: 0°C to +70°C
- SSD Shock: 500 G
- Storage Humidity: 93% RH (40° C)
- Operating Humidity: 90% RH (40° C)
- Vibration: 20Hz~80Hz/1.52mm, 80Hz~2000Hz/20G
- SSD Interface: SATA 6GB/s
- SSD Max Sequential Read ATTO: Up to 560MB/s
- SSD Max Sequential Write ATTO: Up to 540MB/s
- SSD Max Sequential Read CDM: Up to 540MB/s
- SSD Max Sequential Write CDM: Up to 525MB/s
- Max Random Write QD32 IOMeter: 90K IOPS
- Max Random Read QD32 IOMeter: 100K IOPS
- Form Factor: 2.5 inch
SSD Unformatted Capacity
480 GB
SSD Smart Support
Yes
Weight
0.055kg
SSD Interface
SATA 6GB/s
SSD Max Sequential Read ATTO
Up to 560MB/s
SSD Max Sequential Write ATTO
Up to 540MB/s
SSD Max Sequential Read CDM
Up to 540MB/s
SSD Max Sequential Write CDM
Up to 525MB/s
Max Random Write QD32 IOMeter
90K IOPS
Max Random Read QD32 IOMeter
100K IOPS
Form Factor
2.5 inch
NAND Technology
MLC
Endurance
124TBW
Storage Temperature
-40°C to +85°C
SSD Operating Temperature
0°C to +70°C
SSD Shock
500 G
Storage Humidity
93% RH (40° C)
Operating Humidity
90% RH (40° C)
Vibration
20Hz~80Hz/1.52mm, 80Hz~2000Hz/20G
Corsair SSDs with Zero Overprovisioning Space
Much has been written about overprovisioning and its implementation on SSDs. In short, overprovisioning, or OP, is a portion of storage space on an SSD that is reserved for use only by the SSD controller. The three most common uses for this space are wear leveling, the replacement of bad blocks, and read-modify-writes. Overprovisioning serves to help increase both the longevity and performance of SSDs and it is a very common practice among SSD manufacturers.
However, some users would like to be able to buy their SSDs without the built in overprovisioning and make the decision to OP, or not to OP for themselves. They prefer the flexibility of deciding for themselves when to OP and how much space to use based on their specific needs. Corsair has announced and is now offering SSDs without this overprovisioned space.
Corsair SSDs with overprovisioning space typically have used 7% of the total SSD storage capacity. This means that users now have a choice with these new drives to use them with or without overprovisioning. Users can manually overprovision the drives if they wish or, they can leave them at their full capacity with no overprovisioning and enjoy the extra space.
For users of 256GB SSDs, this means they can have an extra 16GB of storage capacity on their drive over the equivalent 240GB overprovisioned SSD. Of course, RAID users will benefit even more as the number of drives is increased.
In reading some of that aforementioned information about overprovisioning, I've found a great deal of very useful information over at Anandtech. Here's a diagram from one of Anand's SSD articles highlighting how overprovisioning works.
Our initial offerings in the non-OP drive arena are in the Force Series GS and the Neutron Series with more to come. For more information on our SSD lineup, please visit our Corsair website SSD page.
To OP, or not to OP. That is the question. Whether tis nobler to the PC performance...
Corsair SSD Toolbox
Corsair proudly brings you the Corsair SSD Toolbox. This helpful utility provides users with several powerful and useful tools for use with Corsair SSDs. Let's take a look. Download the Corsair SSD Toolbox HERE.
The Corsair SSD Toolbox will run on:
- XP SP3 (32-bit)...(64-bit version not supported)
- Vista 32-bit w/ latest SP (all functions)
- Vista 64-bit w/ latest SP (all functions)
- Win 7 32-bit w/ latest SP (all functions)
- Win 7 64-bit w/ latest SP (all functions)
- Win 8 32-bit (TRIM is not supported, all others functions are)
- Win 8 64-bit (TRIM is not supported, all others functions are)
We have provided a detailed help file which can be accessed by clicking on the question mark symbol shown here circled in red on the upper left side of the screen.
This help file gives detailed information on each function of the SSD toolbox. Clicking the question mark will open the help file in a browser.
Your main screen at launch shows the drive information of single drives attached to the system. Other drives will appear in the drive information window but core functionality is restricted to authorized Corsair SSDs. RAID volumes will not be seen as single drives as the tool cannot address them individually. The "i" symbol will show you the toolbox version number and license agreement. The circular arrows will refresh the tool.
Individual drive information is shown in the center of the main window. When your SSD controller is in AHCI mode, you can update your SSD firmware from this page using the button circled in red below. The firmware update requires AHCI mode. AMD/nVidia chipset systems may require different storage drivers for proper operation. USB connected SSD drives must use SAT-capable cables/enclosures that support ATA/SAT-pass-through.
After you select firmware update the tool will scan your drive and check for firmware updates. If there is an update available, the dialogue will prompt you to update the firmware or cancel the operation.
Note: Firmware updates can only be executed when the SSD controller is in AHCI mode. Firmware updating via this toolbox is enabled for The Corsair Series Force 3, Force Series GT, Force Series GS, Neutron Series, and Neutron Series GTX SSDs. Earlier and EOL Corsair drives with firmware updates can be updated manually using the tools supplied on our website.
The next screen will prompt you to backup your data before updating your firmware. The updates are intended to be non-destructive but we strongly encourage users to back up any critical data before performance a firmware update. If you wish to continue, press Apply.
Once your drive is updated, close the toolbox window using the close button.
Note: Corsair recommends that users update their OS drive as attached storage when possible. Some systems will require the SSD to be disconnected briefly before the new firmware version will appear in the Drive Information window.
Additional functions can be activated with the column of buttons down the left side of the toolbox. Corsair is now producing SSDs that do not have factory overprovisioning. For users that desire to manually overprovision their drives, we have provided a function for this. Overprovisioning your drive can contribute to maintaining better performance and adding longevity to your SSD.
Users desiring to monitor the S.M.A.R.T status on their drives can do so using the S.M.A.R.T. button. Find more details on Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology here.
We have a disk cloning feature under development. At the time of this article, this feature is not complete but it is expected along very soon. For now as you can see, it's under construction. This feature will allow users to easily clone to and from their Corsair SSDs.
Users have asked for a feature to allow them to manually send a TRIM command to their drives and to also schedule a TRIM operation so that they can optimize their SSD's performance.
SSD users also occasionally have need to perform a secure erase operation. The tool allows for this in one easy step.
The Corsair SSD Toolbox is extremely useful and versatile. We're confident that our customers will find it very useful and see it as an added value to a superb Corsair SSD.
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Neutron Series XT SSD