The Plextor M8Pe (512GB) SSD Review
by Billy Tallis on December 14, 2016 9:00 AM ESTSequential Read Performance
The sequential read test requests 128kB blocks and tests queue depths ranging from 1 to 32. The queue depth is doubled every three minutes, for a total test duration of 18 minutes. The test spans the entire drive, and the drive is filled before the test begins. The primary score we report is an average of performances at queue depths 1, 2 and 4, as client usage typically consists mostly of low queue depth operations.
The heatsink makes a big difference for sequential read speeds: the M8PeY is essentially tied with the Samsung 960 Pro and EVO (both of which have the advantage of higher capacity). Without the heatsink, the M8PeGN delivers average performance for MLC-based PCIe SSDs.
The M8PeY with its large heatsink (and LEDs) draws significantly more power than any of the M.2 PCIe SSDs to deliver top-notch performance. Without the heatsink (but with thermal throttling) the M8PeGN is still one of the most power-hungry drives. Neither configuration offers great efficiency.
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The sequential read performance of the M8Pe saturates at QD4 when the heatsink is used, but without the heatsink it is thermally limited for almost all of the test.
Sequential Write Performance
The sequential write test writes 128kB blocks and tests queue depths ranging from 1 to 32. The queue depth is doubled every three minutes, for a total test duration of 18 minutes. The test spans the entire drive, and the drive is filled before the test begins. The primary score we report is an average of performances at queue depths 1, 2 and 4, as client usage typically consists mostly of low queue depth operations.
As with random writes and sequential reads, the heatsink makes a big difference for sustained sequential writes. Without the heatsink, the M8Pe's high power consumption leads to enough thermal throttling that it is the slowest MLC PCIe SSD in the bunch, but still substantially faster than SATA. With the heatsink, speeds are over 50% faster and the M8Pe is on par with the Intel SSD 750.
The power consumption situation is very similar to what we saw on the sequential read test. The thermally-limited M8PeGN draws a similar amount of power to the Samsung 960 Pro, while the M8PeY draws much more, and neither wins a prize for efficiency.
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Without a heatsink, thermal throttling starts very early on this test, but the M8PeGN gets in enough of a burst at the beginning to have a noticeably better average at QD 1 than later in the test. With the heatsink, the M8PeY shows mostly flat performance across the entire duration of the test.
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TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, December 14, 2016 - link
The add-in PCIE card appears to be the best thing about the SSD. Just looking at how much faster the drive was with the heatsink, makes me want the PCIE card but with a 960 EVO or PRO in it.BrokenCrayons - Wednesday, December 14, 2016 - link
I'm hoping that PCIE slot storage takes off. Now that we've largely eliminated optical drives and floppies have been dead for ages, it's only a matter of time before we can shed conventional hard drive bays from computers too. Yeah, I know some small form factor systems have already reached that point (which is pretty cool) but it'd be nice to see that become the norm in mainstream systems as well. There's nothing more annoying than a huge, clunkly computer case and once 3.5 and 2.5 inch drives are gone, the only thing holding us back will be graphics adapters.XabanakFanatik - Wednesday, December 14, 2016 - link
Someone already makes a pretty nice looking heatsink card that looks like it wouldn't block much of the video card above it. I think I'm going to get one for my 960 Pro.http://preview.tinyurl.com/h2435pf
fanofanand - Wednesday, December 14, 2016 - link
This review is a terrific reminder of just how bad the 600p sucks. Nice write-up Billy, very informative.Bullwinkle J Moose - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - link
NoFanOfAnandHorrible Review
Many of you think I'm a Troll but can you answer 3 simple questions from the data provided?
1. What is the average Read Speed in MB/sec for a 100GB file of Non Compressible Test Data?
2. What is the average Write Speed in MB/sec for a 100GB file of Non Compressible Test Data?
3. and most importantly, what is the average Copy and paste speed in MB/sec for a single 100GB non compressible test file when copying and pasting to the same drive?
Can you answer these simple questions?
Billy?
BrokenCrayons - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - link
"All of you know I'm a Troll but can you answer 3 stupid questions..."Fixed that for you. :3
Bullwinkle J Moose - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - link
Good try Crayon but you're zero for threeAnyone else wanna try?
Cmon, isn't there anyone here smarter than a fucking crayon?
BrokenCrayons - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - link
I've gotten far enough under your skin that you're keeping imaginary score to feel better.Holliday75 - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - link
I don't remember Bullwinkle being such a jerk. He was a nice moose.BrokenCrayons - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - link
He was a nice moose, but I admit I liked the squirrel with the flying helmet a bit more. :3