The HP FX900 has snappy efficiency and a aggressive worth level that may definitely discover its technique to our listing of greatest SSDs with an astonishing 828,000/663,000 peak learn/write IOPS.
It might shock folks to study that HP has made some first rate SSDs. (Properly, the HP SSDs are literally made by BiWin for HP, however you get the thought.) The primary HP SSD, the HP EX920, launched in 2018, was an early instance of a aggressive client drive that didn’t begin with the identify Samsung. Intel had tried beforehand with its 600p, which, whereas formidable, was restricted by Micron’s early 3D TLC flash and SMI’s immature SM2260 controller. The HP EX920 mixed 64-layer Micron TLC with the SM2262 to supply wonderful on a regular basis efficiency. HP later introduced out its convey out its EX950 to utilize a brand new SM2262EN controller revision. It nonetheless stays aggressive with drives that have been constructed on the Phison E12, now E12S, controller.
HP additionally made some less-successful SSDs like its EX900, an entry-level DRAM-less choice that was not as dependable in follow. DRAM-less drives from that period — these based mostly on SMI’s SM2263XT and Phison’s E13T — tended to be problematic. Nonetheless, more moderen DRAM-less drives have confirmed to be strong and even downright quick, like with WD’s SN770. Expectations are that the HP FX900, based mostly on the DRAM-less InnoGrit IG5220 controller, may even shine, notably because it makes use of very quick flash.
The FX900 additionally has a quicker sibling within the FX900 Professional, a drive we are going to assessment at a future date. For now, we need to see how this drive measures up not solely towards the older designs it’s changing however even newer, high-end drives. Is it actually honest to name this “entry-level” and even “mid-grade” in any significant use of these phrases?
Specs
| Product | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | N/A | $64.99 | $104.99 | N/A |
| Capability (Person / Uncooked) | 256GB / 256GB | 512GB / 512GB | 1024GB / 1024GB | 2048GB / 2048GB |
| Kind Issue | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface / Protocol | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Controller | InnoGrit IG5220 | InnoGrit IG5220 | InnoGrit IG5220 | InnoGrit IG5220 |
| DRAM | No (HMB) | No (HMB) | No (HMB) | No (HMB) |
| Flash Reminiscence | 176-Layer Micron TLC (B47R) | 176-Layer Micron TLC (B47R) | 176-Layer Micron TLC (B47R) | 176-Layer Micron TLC (B47R) |
| Sequential Learn | 4,600 MBps | 4,900 MBps | 5,000 MBps | 5,000 MBps |
| Sequential Write | 1,700 MBps | 3,300 MBps | 4,800 MBps | 4,800 MBps |
| Random Learn | 281,000 IOPS | 545,000 IOPS | 828,000 IOPS | 820,000 IOPS |
| Random Write | 325,000 IOPS | 501,000 IOPS | 663,000 IOPS | 645,000 IOPS |
| Safety | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Endurance (TBW) | 100 TBW | 200 TBW | 400 TBW | 800 TBW |
| Half Quantity | 57S54AA | 57S54AA | 57S54AA | 57S54AA |
| Guarantee | 5-12 months | 5-12 months | 5-12 months | 5-12 months |
The HP FX900, manufactured with the help of BiWin, is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. Sadly, we might solely discover the center two SKUs accessible for buy on the time of assessment. These are priced competitively however, as all the time, contemplate gross sales earlier than making a purchase order.
Efficiency tops out at 5/4.8 GBps for sequential learn and writes, with IOPS hitting an astonishing 828,000/663,000 peak for learn and write, each respectively. Astonishing as a result of this drive relies on a quad-channel, DRAM-less controller pushing numbers that might put even one of the best PCIe 3.0 NVMe drives to disgrace. We suspect there’s a little bit of fudging right here as these numbers exceed what InnoGrit lists for the IG5220, particularly as we comparable high-balling with the FX900 Professional and IG5236 – though IOPS this excessive will not be realistically achievable, anyway.
The specs point out that is an entry-level to mid-range NVMe SSD, DRAM-less however in a position to profit from PCIe 4.0 bandwidth to a restricted diploma. There are some similarities to drives based mostly on the Phison E16 controller, which has DRAM, however that is clearly newer know-how. As such, it’s positioned extra to compete with WD’s wonderful SN770.
HP presents a 5-year guarantee with 400 TBW per TB of capability. That is lower than typical for the standard NVMe drive however greater than ample for many customers.
Software program and Equipment
The HP SSDs have all the time been no-frills, though they do include an M.2 screw. Whereas it isn’t tough to get M.2 screws and they need to include most motherboards and adapters, customers nonetheless appear to all the time ask if a drive comes with the screw. It’s a bit like asking if a SATA SSD comes with a SATA cable — the reply is that the majority don’t. Nonetheless, this one does include the screw.
A Nearer Look
We see the controller, two NAND packages on the highest aspect, and no DRAM — a minimalist expertise, to make sure. The again label incorporates fundamental details about the drive. The highest label serves a goal, although, as hinted at within the footage, it’s really a graphene thermal pad that assists with the dissipation of extra warmth.
The InnoGrit IG5220, also referred to as the RainierQX, is a 4-channel, DRAM-less PCIe 4.0 controller. It does have a DRAM-equipped sibling within the IG5221 RainierQ, however this has not generally been seen within the wild. The IG5220 could be very highly effective and succesful for what it’s and shouldn’t be underestimated. Might it assist herald a brand new period of super-capable DRAM-less drives? Some folks even surprise if this a lot bandwidth is even vital, however it’s spectacular for a 4-channel controller.
The flash is tough to learn however appears to be labeled BW29F4T08ENLEE. This could point out BiWin-binned flash from Micron (MT29-equivalent) in 4Tb or 512GB packages, with 8-bit TLC flash of the 176-layer era. This flash has been used to good impact on many drives using the Phison E18 controller. Some commenters are wanting to say that NAND flash has not improved a lot the place it issues – Q1T1 random efficiency – however that overlooks simply how far you may attain with this flash on the IG5220. Moreover, DirectStorage ought to assist customers take higher benefit of this potential.
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