Specifications & Features
Samsung SSD 860 EVO Specifications
Samsung is to offer several versions of the 860 EVO which includes a 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB and even a 4 TB model. The sample that has arrived in our test lab is the 2 TB version of the drive. The 860 EVO series will come fitted with Samsung 3-bit, multi-level-cell (MLC) three-dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory from their latest 64-layer V-Nand node. Despite the SATA interface bandwidth limitations, the 860 EVO delivers improved sequential read (550 MB/s) and write (520 MB/s) performances versus those of the 850 EVO. These upgrades are accompanied by enhanced random access performance for Client PCs. The 860 EVO promises to deliver improved endurance up to 2,400 TB of Total Bytes Written for the largest SSD. It also comes with a proper 5-year limited warranty. A new MJX controller and multiple form factors allow much wider compatibility with devices. The 860 EVO fully supports Linux without issues. The 860 EVO comes in various form factors; 2.5 inch, M.2 2280, and mSATA.
So V-NAND is used; 3D NAND is physical vertical NAND cell stacking not to be confused with chip stacking in a multi-chip package. In 3D NAND, NAND layers, not chips, are stacked in a single IC. The use of 3-bit-per-cell V-NAND simply raises the efficiency of memory production. Compared to 3-bit planar (or single layer) NAND flash, the 3-bit V-NAND has more than tripled wafer productivity in Samsung's factories. The good news here is continued cost reduction and more capacity per NAND chip. Also, installed NAND toolsets in the wafer fabs can, for the most part, be reused, thereby extending the useful life of fab equipment.
- Type: Solid State Drive
- Type: 2.5" 7 mm (Ultraslim) Form Factor
- Type: 860 EVO Series
- Storage Capacity: 54 TB
- Sequential Read Speed: Up to 550 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speed: Up to 520 MB/s
- Random Read Speed Up to 98K IOPS
- Random Write Speed Up to 90K IOPS
- Warranty: 5 Years
Controller architecture
The 860 EVO has been equipped with Samsung's newest revisions controllers, a Samsung MJX controller. Realistically, all revision controllers are nearly similar, based on an ARM-based controller that of course is SATA 6 Gb/s compatible and can be paired with the latest NAND flash memory. Samsung mentioned in some tech white-papers that the EVO's latest MGX, MHX and now MJX controllers are able to get you superior multi-tasking results under heavy I/O loads and provide steadier performance on more tasks. The controller would be based upon an ARM Cortex R4 processor. If Samsung still follows the same design, it would have three cores that can execute multiple instructions at once, allowing, for example, one to be used for reading data, one for writing data and another for optimization. And that fact all by itself makes Samsung's claim on superior multi-tasking a very likely one.
Pricing
Making your own SSD with your own controller, own PCB, own cache chips, and own NAND flash memory does have advantages as Samsung is able to keep the prices very competitive as this product is made 99% in-house.
- 4TB - $1399.99
- 2TB - $649.99
- 1TB - $329.99
- 500GB - $169.99
- 250GB - $94.99
Prices are not that cheap really, 329 USD for a 1 TB model, our tested 2 TB model already runs to 649 USD. So that's slightly over 30 cents per GB. Then again these are suggested retail prices, not street prices.
