Which CORSAIR SSDs Have a DRAM Cache?

Because SSD architecture can vary by controller, NAND configuration, and capacity, DRAM cache support and DRAM cache size may differ between otherwise similar-looking models. Below you can find a fable designed to make it easy to identify exactly which CORSAIR SSDs do or do not contain a DRAM Cache. The specific capacity of each product makes no difference as to whether it contains a DRAM Cache or not.

The DRAM cache is used as a storage location for indexed metadata and a digital map of where data is being stored across the SSD’s NAND flash memory cells.

An SSD without a DRAM Cache doesn’t automatically make it “bad”, it simply means it’s built around a different architecture. Instead of using an onboard cache to hold the mapping information, the mapping information is maintained by leveraging the system’s memory through Host Memory Buffer (HMB).