Crucial MX300 2TB SSD review - Specifications & Features

Specifications & Features

Crucial is now offering no less than five versions of the MX300 which includes 275 GB, 525 GB, 750 GB, 1 TB and 2TB capacities. The sample that has arrived for testing is the 2050 GB version of the drive. The MX300 series as stated will be fitted with TLC written NAND flash memory from Micron's 3D NAND (vertically stacked) node. This allows Crucial to offer the massive storage volume at a lower price point.  

Crucial MX Series
Volume	MX300 2050 GB	MX300 750GB	MX200 500GB	MX200 1TB
Form Factors	2.5"	2.5"	2.5", mSATA, M.2	2.5"
Controller	Marvell 88SS1074	Marvell 88SS1074	Marvell 88SS9189
NAND	Micron 384Gbit 32-layer 3D TLC	Micron 384Gbit 32-layer 3D TLC	Micron 16nm 128Gbit MLC
DRAM	1024 MB	512MB	512MB	1GB
Sequential Read	530MB/s	530MB/s	555MB/s	555MB/s
Sequential Write	510MB/s	510MB/s	500MB/s	500MB/s
4KB Random Read	92K IOPS	92K IOPS	100K IOPS	100K IOPS
4KB Random Write	83K IOPS	83K IOPS	87K IOPS	87K IOPS
Sleep Mode	4mW	4mW	2mW	2mW
Idle	75mW	75mW	100mW	100mW
Max Power	5.2W	5.2W	4.7W	5.2W
Endurance	400TB	220TB	160TB	320TB
Warranty	Three years
Price	$499.99 (MSRP)	$199.99 (MSRP)	$139.00	$269.94

So instead of using Planar NAND, 3D NAND is used. 3D TLC 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 good news is continued cost reduction, smaller die sizes 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. The NAND ICs are driven by a Marvell 88SS1074 controller, there is a chunk of SLC written NAND (SLC cache) to speed up writes.

• Sequential reads/writes up to 530 / 510 MB/s on all file types
• Random reads/writes up to 92k / 83k on all file types
• Over 90x more energy efficient than a typical hard drive
• Accelerated by Micron 3D NAND technology
• Dynamic Write Acceleration delivers faster saves and file transfers
• More durable than a hard drive – no small moving parts that are prone to failure
• Best-in-class hardware encryption keeps data safe and secure
• Exclusive Data Defense guards against data corruption
• Adaptive Thermal Protection allows for adaptive cooling
• Power Loss Protection completes write commands even if power is lost
• Includes free Acronis True Image HD software for easy data migration
• Compatible with the Crucial Storage Executive tool for easy drive maintenance
• 3 year limited warranty

Pricing

I just pulled some numbers from some online e-tailers. Crucial is able to keep the prices very competitive as this product is made 80% in-house. Prices are 520 EURO inc. VAT for this 2050 GB model. Not bad, especially when you consider that this is a mainstream class SSD that offers enthusiast class SSD performance (as you are about to find out from our benchmarks).