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Adata ssd toolbox recommendation11/14/2023 ![]() ![]() There is also a four pin header unpopulated (maybe a serial connection for programming the controller) along with a two pin header facing the front of the PCB. Two independent switching converters phases appear to be populated on this side, one for each flash chip, and more power conversion appears to be handled by a chip marked 3123B 815J1. However, judging from the codes printed near the location mark, these appear to be Intel/Micron flash memory parts. The flash controller is paired with two flash packages, remarked with ADATA’s own logo and part number. ![]() However, unlike the SU630, I believe the SU650 uses TLC memory instead which translates into higher endurance figures of (280TBW instead of 100TBW). This particular flash controller is a special one, as it is one of the few capable of operating QLC memory aside from the Phison controller and shares a commonality with the lower ADATA SU630 SSD which does use QLC. The top of the PCB reveals a Maxio MAS09024-B2C flash controller dated Week 9 of 2018. The PCB itself is quite compact, itself labelled with the ADATA brand and serial number. The two halves of the case separate by defeating the snaps along all sides. Removing the bottom label already gives us a hint as to the size of the actual PCB. The drive itself uses a screw-less design, which also saves money. With a drive of this price, I just couldn’t wait to get the covers off – so I went ahead. On the side of the drive, a warranty label is placed across the seam of the casing. The labelling on the top of the drive has a nice finish, with the label on the underside providing the expected basic information. The bottom plate feels to be made of metal, with a top cover made of plastic – another cost-saving measure, no doubt. The drive itself feels relatively lightweight and insubstantial – as many value SSDs do. The warranty information for the drive is printed on the tearaway flap, which claims a three-year warranty for SSDs. Then again, I suppose even if you do destroy the package, as long as the drive comes out in one piece, that’s fine? Unfortunately, the perforations were not very deep, which meant that peeling it was a bit of a careful exercise to make sure that we weren’t otherwise decimating the package. Unlike some of the competitors’ more frustration-loaded packages which require scissors to open, this package has a convenient perforation to allow for peeling out the cardboard backing to expose the drive within. ![]() The only performance metric on the package seems to be a claim of up to 520MB/s read and 450MB/s write, with the rest of the advertised feature set being practically standard fare for a modern SSD. Of course, at this price point, there are basically zero other inclusions – no adapter cradles, no spacing shims, no screws. Because of the low price, the moniker of “Ultimate” feels rather curious – what is it the ultimate of? Performance? Value for money? Low prices? I guess that’s something that’s left to the buyers’ imagination. The drive comes inside a rather flashy packaging designed for retail, including an almost iridescent, holographic background and clear plastic bubble showing off the drive itself. That made purchasing the drive almost a no-brainer, but what would it be made of and would it be any good? Unboxing That’s quite a bit of a discount compared to the regular prices of the competing drives of the present market and is also cheaper than many of the USB flash drives. ![]() Combining the offer with their listing for an ADATA Ultimate SU650 480GB SSD resulted in a price of just AU$56.49 including GST and shipping, for a net cost of just 12c per GB. There has rarely been a better time to buy an SSD, especially when considering that many online stores have discount codes and cashbacks which can further reduce the price.ĭespite not being in the market for SSDs (as I already have a plentiful supply of drives which serve my needs despite being a little small for my liking), the recent $30 off Newegg Australia promotion really caught my eye. Solid state drive (SSD) pricing has taken a pummelling over the last few months with a global flash oversupply. ![]()
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