AnandTech: Intel X25-M G2: Dissected and Performance Preview

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Intel X25-M G2: Dissected and Performance Preview

Date: July 22nd, 2009
Topic: Storage
Manufacturer: Intel
Author: Anand Lal Shimpi

Buy the Intel SSDSA2MH160G2C1 X25-M 160GB

	$769.95
	$654.99
	$654.99

Be sure to read our latest SSD article: The SSD Relapse for an updated look at the SSD market.

Earlier today the FedEx man dropped off a box with this in it:

That's the new X25-M G2 I wrote about yesterday, which features a slightly improved controller and 34nm NAND flash. Im hard at work on a full review but I thought I'd share some preliminary data with you all.

As I mentioned yesterday, the new drive has a silver enclosure. Intel says the new enclosure is cheaper than the old black one:

The X25-M G2 (top) vs. the X25-M G1 (bottom)

Our sample also shipped with a plastic spacer so the drive can be used in 9.5mm 2.5" bays as well as 7mm bays by removing the spacer.

Inside the Drive: 2x Density Flash and more DRAM

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90 Comments - Last by elivebuypp, 4 days ago

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Well... by Zelog, 121 days ago

I'm guessing the new FLASH chips aren't BGA, then they don't need the potting. Would explain why the new controller still has it.

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RE: Well... by Anand Lal Shimpi, 121 days ago

Very true, although the new controller doesn't have it to the exact same extent.

Take care,
Anand

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RE: Well... by FaaR, 120 days ago

BGA chips typically do not need potting. In fact, the vast, vast majority of BGAs - including some that run very hot - are not potted at all.

If the original Intel SSD used extensive potting - I don't know myself, I've not opened up my 60GB SLC drive - I'd assume it would be as an anti-counterfiting measure to prevent far-east outfits from screwing with the innards and then selling the drives more expensively as a higher capacity unit.

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RE: Well... by has407, 117 days ago

Take a close look at the part numbers. A bit hard to read given the resolution of the pic's, but I'd bet the old unit uses the equivalent of Micron MT29F64G08CFxxx 64Gb parts, and the new unit uses the equivalent of Micron MT29F128G08CJxxx 128Gb parts.

Micron production MLC parts for both are available only in TSOP 48. The package dimensions also appear to be the same, and per ONFI 1.0 (on which Intel says they're based), that could be easily verified from the package dimensions. The controller is obviously BGA.

As to why the potting or lack of... thermal, shock, anti-whatever... but I'd guess Intel has just gotten better with the qualification/manufacturing process.

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RE: Well... by tajmahal, 113 days ago

well hello! Nothing like a little corruption of data is there.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=15827

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giveaway by pennyfan87, 121 days ago

so i heard you're giving the sample away to your readers...

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RE: giveaway by Souka, 120 days ago

I heard there were two samples being given away... ;)

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samsung vs. indilinx by deputc26, 121 days ago

Given the choice which controller would you rather have in your drive? despite samsung's reputation, I'm going with indilinx.

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RE: samsung vs. indilinx by Anand Lal Shimpi, 121 days ago

My pick is still the Intel drive, but I'd take Indilinx over Samsung (assuming there are no compatibility issues with the system I was putting it in).

Take care,
Anand

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