
Corsair Neutron Series GTX SSD Firmware Testing Results
Veröffentlicht am 05/14/2013VonMike Clements
GTX-SSDs der Neutron Series: Hochleistungsfähige Solid-State-LaufwerkeDie GTX-SSDs der Neutron Series™ sind unsere leistungsfähigsten Solid-State-Laufwerke speziell für High-End-Desktop-PCs und -Notebooks. Der hochwertige Link_A_Media (LAMD) SATA 3 SSD-Controller sorgt für überragenden Random-Lese-/Schreibzugriff und eine hohe sequenzielle Schreibgeschwindigkeit. Dadurch erhalten Sie eine einzigartige Reaktionsfähigkeit für datenintensive Vorgänge aller Art.
Neutron Series GTX is our flagship line of SSDs, designed for high-end desktop and notebook PCs. Powered by an advanced Link_A_Media (LAMD) SATA 3 SSD controller, the GTX excels at both random read/write speeds and sequential write speeds, and provides amazing responsiveness for all types of data-intensive work.
Neutron Series GTX is designed to support complex data-intensive work that involves accessing multiple files simultaneously — video production, large-scale graphics editing, or running multiple office applications at once. Neutron GTX’s extremely high random IOPS performance gives you the nearly instantaneous response you need for your high-end desktop or notebook PC.
Neutron GTX’s flagship credentials include incredibly fast sequential write speeds, regardless of file type. SSDs compress data on the fly as they save, and many solid-state drives slow down significantly when writing data that’s already compressed. Neutron GTX is different: saving large videos and images happens so quickly, the first time it happens, you might have trouble believing that it’s really working
Neutron Series GTX is designed to take full advantage of the latest high-speed standard to get the most performance out of the latest PCs. It’s also fully backward compatible with SATA 2.
Neutron Series GTX SSDs follow the universal 2.5” standard, and easily mount in desktop PCs with 2.5” drive bays. Or, mount it in a hard drive bay using the included 3.5” adapter.
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 Neutron can move with it.
The LAMD controller is designed to deliver both super-high IOPs — important for data-intensive tasks like video and image editing — as well as superior sequential read speeds for lighting fast file access.
SSDs compress and decompress files on the fly. Some solid-state drives hit a performance bottleneck when opening files that can’t be further compressed. This includes video, audio, and image files — and if your PC is also your entertainment center or you work with media files as part of your job, lesser SSDs can slow you down. Neutron’s real-world performance design focus means impressive file loading times even with non-compressible data.
Neutron follows the universal 2.5” standard, for quick installation into most notebooks. It fits into place on newer PCs which have built-in 2.5” drive support, and with the included 3.5” adapter, you can install it in a standard hard drive bay.
Many newer slim notebooks get that way at the expense of height restrictions for SSDs. Neutron is just 7mm high, so it can go where some other SSDs can’t.
Traditional mechanical hard drives spin at thousands of revolutions per minute. This takes power, and generates noise and heat. Since SSDs have no moving parts, there's no noise or vibration, and the lower power consumption helps keep things cool inside your PC. It can also save battery life on notebooks.
Neutron Series SSDs support the Windows 7 TRIM command. This allows them to store only the data they need and perform memory optimization to ensure the fastest possible write speeds.
Because SSDs have no moving parts, they can handle shock, vibration and temperature changes far in excess of traditional hard drives. That's important for desktop PCs, and essential for notebooks.
Neutron Series is designed to support the latest high-speed standard to get the most performance out of the latest PCs. It’s also fully backward compatible with SATA 2.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
"There are a number of differentiators between the 19nm Corsair Neutron GTX and its competitors. The 19nm Corsair Neutron GTX does well in performance tests and also features a five year-warranty. If priced competitively, as it is currently, the longer warranty of the Corsair SSD stands out. TLC competitors have significant impact, but for those looking for more robust MLC NAND the new Corsair Neutron GTX is a good fit.
The Corsair Neutron GTX also features a new Corsair SSD Toolbox (which you can download and use with previously purchased Corsair SSDs) that provides a significant advantage over some competitors. A significant improvement in idle power consumption also makes the 19nm Corsair Neutron GTX an SSD well suited for mobile applications.
Utilizing the latest NAND and the LAMD controller Corsair has managed to deliver a competitively priced SSD with a great warranty period. We give the 19nm Neutron GTX 240GB the Silver [H]ardOCP Editor's Choice Award."
Ausführlicher Testbericht!