m.2 vs normal ssd

[AndreRio]

I just got a new mobo the MSI z97m gaming. And it, comes with a m.2 interface! Now I want to buy a new ssd, but I can't decide on which...
2 options:

1st - the SAMSUNG XP941 Series MZHPU512HCGL-00000 M.2 512GB MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

2nd Samsung evo 1tb ssd.

So which one? The fast 512gb m.2 or the huge on space evo?

Thanks.

 

[Poplap]

A true M.2 port is a PCIe port so those ssds can reach over gig speeds. This is whats inside an apple macbook pro but soldered on also in the mac pro but with a costume port. Is it faster then the 1tb ssd probably though i never looked at that SSD.

 

[bmg]

If I remember correctly, the XP941 has great sequential speeds, but not so great random. Also no Trim.

 

[phis6]

I'd prefer the EVO, I think its more than enough for gaming

 

[wtourist]

Theoretical and benchmarks m.2, real world experience difference (unless doing a lot of large program manipulation) the SATA drive is close. I think.

 

[Tsumi]

Without better controllers that increase low queue depth random reads and writes, M.2 does not provide any benefit in normal desktop OS usage.

 

[defaultluser]

Yeah, save your slot for the future. For now, SATA 6.0 gbps is not really a limiting factor.

 

[omniscence]

From the reviews I read the Samsung XP941 can significantly exceed 1 GB/s in sequential speeds. The SSD is a x4 model, the onboard slot on Z97 boards is only x2, so you won't get more than 1 GB/s. But this is a metric less important for normal use.

There are also some x2 models around (I think Plextor). After all it is up to you whether you want to invest in somewhat new tech or use something proven.

 

[FnordMan]

From the reviews I read the Samsung XP941 can significantly exceed 1 GB/s in sequential speeds. The SSD is a x4 model, the onboard slot on Z97 boards is only x2, so you won't get more than 1 GB/s. But this is a metric less important for normal use.

There are also some x2 models around (I think Plextor). After all it is up to you whether you want to invest in somewhat new tech or use something proven.

err.. the math says no. As long as the m.2 port is PCIe 2.0 there should be enough bandwidth there given a single 2.0 lane does 5 gigabits/sec and wolfram alpha says that 1gigabyte is 8.59gigabits.

 

[defaultluser]

err.. the math says no. As long as the m.2 port is PCIe 2.0 there should be enough bandwidth there given a single 2.0 lane does 5 gigabits/sec and wolfram alpha says that 1gigabyte is 8.59gigabits.

You're forgetting the 8/10 encoding overhead, that drops your per lane throughput to 4gbps. Thus the total link available bandwidth is 1GBs

 

[omniscence]

err.. the math says no. As long as the m.2 port is PCIe 2.0 there should be enough bandwidth there given a single 2.0 lane does 5 gigabits/sec and wolfram alpha says that 1gigabyte is 8.59gigabits.

Like it was pointed out, the 5 Gbit/s is the signaling speed, not the data rate. Additionally, PCIe has a certain overhead depending on the payload size, I vaguely remember the efficiency to be around 85% with a maximum payload size of 128 byte, which is the common value for consumer systems.

Even using your math it would be around 1,2 GB/s, which is not so much more than 1 GB/s.

 

[AndreRio]

I think I'll go with the evo, and let my m.2 for use in the future. Thanks.

 

[DejaWiz]

Even using your math it would be around 1,2 GB/s, which is not so much more than 1 GB/s.

That's a 20% difference, which is quite substantial, imo.

 

[Bluesun311]

Pretty much the moment the samsung drives are available in country I'm going to pounce. I like to try out the latest stuff and this is so latest it's from the future.

 

[sbudbud]

I have an m2 slot on my motherboard, Ive been looking for an ssd for my windows OS, decisions decisions