A recently spotted Microsoft Z1000 solid-state drive (SSD) has garnered attention due to its unique CNEXLabs controller. Yuki Yasuo-YuuKi_AnS shared images of the SSD on the X platform, revealing it as an Engineering Sample with 960GB of storage. The device operates on 3.3V DC with a 15W power consumption and supports NVMe 1.2 protocol. The SSD's controller, labeled CNX-2670AA-CB2T, originates from CNEXLabs, with "1906" possibly indicating a date code. It features four Toshiba (now Kioxia) 256GB eTLC flash memory chips, using fourth-generation BiCS FLASH with a 96-layer stack, and a 1GB DDR4 DRAM cache from Micron (MT40A1G8SA-075:E).
The presence of an unoccupied solder pad on the PCB opposite the DRAM cache suggests potential for higher-capacity models within the Z1000 series. CNEXLabs, founded in 2013, specializes in enterprise-level SSD controllers, suggesting the Z1000's target market.
This collaboration between Microsoft and a smaller, specialized company reflects a growing trend among tech giants to partner with niche firms for advanced enterprise SSD solutions, similar to Meta's engagement with South Korean controller company FADU.
Source: ithome
