New Plextor M3 Pro: push Marvell, push :D

[Ao1]

http://www.goplextor.com/Asia/index....3pro/px-256m3p

Judging from the CDM in the review Gilgamesh linked to, it seems the performance of the M3P is very close to that of the M2P. So the move to smaller flash does not seem to have been an issue for Plextor.

The Marvell (server-grade) controller used by Plextor is the 88SS9174-BKK2, which is also used in the Corsair Performance Pro and Intel SSD 510. The big difference is the Toggle Mode DDR interface, which has increased from 133MT/s to 166MT/s and the two DDR3 cache buffers with a total capacity of 512MB.

[Anvil]

The 512MB cache is brutal.

[Gilgamesh]

The Marvell (server-grade) controller used by Plextor is the 88SS9174-BKK2, which is also used in the Corsair Performance Pro and Intel SSD 510. The big difference is the Toggle Mode DDR interface, which has increased from 133MT/s to 166MT/s and the two DDR3 cache buffers with a total capacity of 512MB.

Corsair Performance Pro 128GB (and Plextor PX-128M2P) has 2x256MB Nanya ddr3 1333 (NT5CB128M16BP-CG) as 256GB:

PCB 128GB (Corsair):
http://www.overclockingstation.de/ph...1_DSCF5192.JPG

256GB pcb (Corsair):
http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/im..._pro/board.jpg

256GB pcb (Plextor M2P):
http://www.storagereview.com/images/...PCB-Bottom.jpg

256GB (Plextor M3P):
http://www.gdm.or.jp/review/itten/ss.../ihtml/22.html

[Ao1]

Thanks for pointing that out. So the only difference is 34nm to 24nm > 133MT/s to 166MT/s?

I’m trying hard to resist buying one of these drives, but it’s not easy.

Edit: I've been trying to track down the NAND product sheet but its nowhere to be found. (TH58TEG8D2HBA8C)

[Gilgamesh]

Yes. I think that only difference is nand type and perhaps firmware "hacking" (M3P vs M3 vs Corsair).

I'm happy with Corsair Performance Pro 128GB, but Plextor PX-256M3P is VERY tempting for my next notebook/ultrabook (7mm height)

Sorry, no datasheet for nand Toshiba

[Nizzen]

Does the PX-128M3P have 512 cache?

Edit: Found it
DRAM Cache 256 MB DDR3
http://www.goplextor.com/asia/index....128m3p?start=1

[Gilgamesh]

Does the PX-128M3P have 512 cache?

Edit: Found it
DRAM Cache 256 MB DDR3
http://www.goplextor.com/asia/index....128m3p?start=1

I don't know why Plextor report 256MB cache for PX-128M3, and pcb confirm this (single Nanya bank):
http://www.expreview.com/17830-2.html



but also report 256MB cache for PX-128M2P and pcb NOT confirm this (double Nanya banks of same ddr3):
http://www.expreview.com/17611-2.html



Plextor "cut" cache in firmware? It's possible?

I don't have an PX-128M3P to compare.

[Christopher]

Is it possible the M2P is just using 2x128GB DDR3?

[felix_w]

Is it possible the M2P is just using 2x128GB DDR3?

The nt5cb128m16bp chips are 128Mx16 2Gb (256MB) DDR3-1333 CL9 parts...so 4Gb total equals 512MB...the article Gilgamesh posted says te same, that is is possibly cut in fw..

Plextor PX-128M2P above the two South Asia DRAM as an external cache, the chip number NT5CB128M16BP-the CG, the capacity of a single 256MB total 512MB cache, DDR3-1333 DRAM, PX-128M2P limit in the firmware can only be used 256MB as a cache, the PX-256M2P available with 512MB of cache, both use the same PCB, and therefore also welded on the two memory is very strange why not the 128MB version is only a 256MB cache.

^Google engine translation

[johnw]

Plextor M3P released in US:
http://www.plextoramericas.com/index...-m3-pro-series

Available at newegg (expensive, as usual for new product at newegg):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820249021

I also noticed the 64GB Plextor M3 (not pro, M3P not available in 64GB) is down to $99 on newegg.

[Christopher]

Plextor M3P released in US:
http://www.plextoramericas.com/index...-m3-pro-series

Available at newegg (expensive, as usual for new product at newegg):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820249021

I also noticed the 64GB Plextor M3 (not pro, M3P not available in 64GB) is down to $99 on newegg.

I was hoping the price of the 128GB M3P will drop soon so I can cop one for testing. But the 64GB M3S would probably suffice.

[Gilgamesh]

Someone test raid 0 on x79.
http://club.coneco.net/user/38905/review/89760/

2x Plextor PX-256M2P



2x Plextor PX-256M3P

[nik58]

plextor m3pro 128 gb in raid 0

http://www.coolaler.com/showthread.p...AF%A6%E6%B8%AC

[koc]

Hi guys, Im still waiting for my i7-3930K, to test my new Plextor M3 PX-256M3P, but it will take some time to arrive.

So, i just plug my Plextor M3 PX-256M3P to a free sata3 port in my media system to make some tests.

I also compare the results with my ex-crucial M4 256GM which is five months old, and almost 66% full.

1.jpg

2.jpg

First; my old crucial m4 256GB (65% full)

1.JPG
2.JPG
3.JPG

My new Plextor M3 PX-256M3P (100% free)

11.JPG
22.JPG
33.JPG

[Anvil]

Not bad for the Marvell controller!

Are both 6Gb/s Intel ports occupied?
(as you know they will put the Marvell controller to shame)

[koc]

Yes they are both 6Gb/s Intel ports.

Edit; they are both connected to the 6Gb/ Marvell ports (dark blue), sorry my bad

[johnw]

Edit; they are both connected to the 6Gb/ Marvell ports (dark blue), sorry my bad

I think Anvil was asking if your current MB has any Intel 6Gbps SATA ports (I guess the answer is "no").

It will be interesting to see your benchmarks once you get your new system going. I assume it will have Intel 6Gbps SATA ports.

[koc]

Intel 6Gbps SATA port,

1.JPG
2.JPG
3.JPG

[johnw]

Holy cow! 32.61MB/s for QD1 4KiB random read in AS-SSD! That is AWESOME for 2Xnm flash!

The Plextor M3P is my new favorite SSD! I'll have to get one soon.

[Anvil]

johnw

The P8P67 Deluxe sure has Intel 6Gb/s ports, that's why I was asking him if the Intel ports were occupied

Looks like the M3P is a new favorite!
(from a performance pov)

edit

Not able to find a store that's got it, yet.

[Ao1]

Awesome. Does it report any SMART data?

[Anvil]

The M2P had a short list of SMART attributes and Plextor is the one that writes the FW on both drives.

[Highendtoys]

The M3 and M3 Pro run about the same when both drives are half full. That is where performance really matters, when you are really using it.

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/46...pro/index.html

[johnw]

The M3 and M3 Pro run about the same when both drives are half full. That is where performance really matters, when you are really using it.

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/46...pro/index.html

Tweaktown could do a lot better than PCMark Vantage for the "drives with data testing". It is not at all clear that such a benchmark is representative of how the SSDs will behave in real usage.

You should really do some SNIA steady-state tests (4KiB read and write, sequential read and write, and 50% read/write mix). As for "drives with data testing", you should do some real-world tests like copying files on drives with data, booting and starting applications, reading and writing large video files, games level loading, etc.

[Christopher]

I wonder if the 128GB M3P wouldn't actually be a little faster on QD1 4K's.

And those access times in AS-SSD are just sick.