What kind of nand is in my Transcend MTS800 m.2

[quant_123]

I recently purchased a 512gb Transcend MTS800 ssd, which is the m.2 version of the desktop SSD370. The box says "MLC inside". However, crystal disk info is showing attributes like "TLC ERASE COUNT".

Googling reveals that Transcend is using different nand in the MTS800/SSD370 series. I thought I was buying 20nm micron MLC. I could care less if the nand performs similarly and has the same endurance. However, I doubt TLC (non-3d) or 16/15nm MLC nand will approach the endurance of 20nm micron.

The 4 nand chips read "SANDISK SDYNSGDPM 128G CHINA" followed by what looks like a serial number. Can someone help me determine size and type of nand?

*edit*
Pic of nand chip: url removed, no longer necessary.

*2nd edit*
Received a reply from a Transcend rep that SDYNSGDPM-128G is 15nm MLC. Case closed.

 

[Glaring_Mistake]

After updating CrystalDiskInfo it showed an attribute for TLC Erase Count for an SSD using MLC NAND.
It is likely the same for your SSD.

What do you intend to use it for if endurance is such a concern for you?

 

[quant_123]

After updating CrystalDiskInfo it showed an attribute for TLC Erase Count for an SSD using MLC NAND.
It is likely the same for your SSD.

What do you intend to use it for if endurance is such a concern for you?

I just want what I purchased. The box advertises "MLC inside." If it contains a TLC drive, then I'd like to return it and get the MX200 or 850 Evo. They both perform better. Endurance is the only thing the MTS800 has over them. And it might not even have that if Transcend is using 16/15nm MLC.

 

[sdifox]

Techporn review says mlc but the one they tested had micron chips

http://www.techporn.ph/transcend-mts800-m-2-ssd-512gb-review/

 

[quant_123]

Techporn review says mlc but the one they tested had micron chips

http://www.techporn.ph/transcend-mts800-m-2-ssd-512gb-review/

The A_ parameters in crystal disk are the ones noting TLC. The reviewer's crystal disk (older version) describes the parameters as "unknown."

The reviewer's box doesn't have an "MLC inside" stamp like the photo at http://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-644. Odd, considering the micron nand.

 

[sdifox]

What is the number at the end of band chip? That should be the model plus batch number.

 

[quant_123]

What is the number at the end of band chip? That should be the model plus batch number.

What is the "end of band" chip?

 

[sdifox]

The number after SanDisk blahblah128g china

 

[quant_123]

The number after SanDisk blahblah128g china

Those numbers are of the form 6076DPE followed by 5 more numbers/letters that vary.

 

[sdifox]

No dice on that either. This I now pissing me off.

 

[quant_123]

No dice on that either. This I now pissing me off.

Added a pic to original post.

 

[Johnny Lucky]

The NAND is Micron L85A 20nm MLC NAND. The Micron NAND product number is MT29F256G08CECABH6-6:A.

Each Nand module is 32GB in capacity for a total RAW capacity of 128GB, as there are two modules on each side of the PCB. When formatted, the total capacity available to the user is reduced to 119GB.

The 128MB DRAM is Samsung DDR3-1333.

Although the controller has a Transcend product number it is actually a Silicon Motion SM2246EN controller which has been rebranded.

Technical References:

http://www.thessdreview.com/our-reviews/transcend-mts800-m-2-2280-sata-ssd-review-128gb/

http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/storage/hdd/42804-transcend-mts800-128gb-m-2-ssd-review?showall=&start=1

http://proclockers.com/reviews/storage/transcend-mts800-m2-2280-128gb-sata-ssd-review

https://www.profesionalreview.com/2015/09/01/transcend-mts800-m-2-review/

I would not get overly concerned about performance and write endurance. Consumer versions of solid state drives have evolved over the years to the point where it no longer matters very much for the typical mainstream consumer or casual gamer. It would be different if a computer was used for professional work involving heavy workloads and extremely large data files.

 

[quant_123]

The NAND is Micron L85A 20nm MLC NAND. The Micron NAND product number is MT29F256G08CECABH6-6:A.

Each Nand module is 32GB in capacity for a total RAW capacity of 128GB, as there are two modules on each side of the PCB. When formatted, the total capacity available to the user is reduced to 119GB.

The 128MB DRAM is Samsung DDR3-1333.

Although the controller has a Transcend product number it is actually a Silicon Motion SM2246EN controller which has been rebranded.

Technical References:

http://www.thessdreview.com/our-reviews/transcend-mts800-m-2-2280-sata-ssd-review-128gb/

http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/storage/hdd/42804-transcend-mts800-128gb-m-2-ssd-review?showall=&start=1

http://proclockers.com/reviews/storage/transcend-mts800-m2-2280-128gb-sata-ssd-review

https://www.profesionalreview.com/2015/09/01/transcend-mts800-m-2-review/

I would not get overly concerned about performance and write endurance. Consumer versions of solid state drives have evolved over the years to the point where it no longer matters very much for the typical mainstream consumer or casual gamer. It would be different if a computer was used for professional work involving heavy workloads and extremely large data files.

The photos of the nand chips are different than mine. How do you know it's the size and type?

From a review of the 1TB version:

Even so, the company tells me that the NAND used will be either Micron 16-nm flash or SanDisk 15-nm chips, as needed. The company also says that the chips used will not be from larger or older nodes.
http://techreport.com/review/29733/transcend-ssd370-solid-state-drive-reviewed

Another:

On the flash side, Transcend lets us know that the drive sports an MLC flash array, which we like. We approached Transcend as to the brand of flash they are using because the flash packages utilized are not branded. Transcend chose not to disclose the brand of flash they are using, but we have a pretty good idea. It's 16nm, it's synchronous, so that narrows the field down to Micron. Update: Transcend contacted us after publishing the review and informed us they are packaging their flash in-house using genuine Micron 16nm wafers.
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7448/transcend-ssd370s-512gb-sata-iii-ssd-review/index.html

And another:

... One SSD retailer we spoke with noted an increase in RMAs on products using less than Grade A flash. The difference is 1 in 300 products returned with Tier 1 Grade A flash, compared with 9 in 300 products returned using the lower-grade flash.

Our 256GB SSD370 sample did ship with genuine Micron 20-nm MLC flash. Given that nearly all of the reviewers have received Micron flash but products shipping in the wild are mixed, we can't say what flash you may receive in your retail product. Transcend never discloses which type of flash is guaranteed.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/transcend-ssd370,4239.html#p3

Looks like Transcend is using lots of different nand in the SSD370/MTS series. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any pics of chips that are labeled like mine.

I bought the MTS800 over the mx200 and 850 Evo because I believed it used premium nand that would be more reliable and durable. Had I known there was a possibility of 15nm MLC or lousy TLC, I would've gone with the Evo.

*edit*
Received a reply from a Transcend rep that SDYNSGDPM-128G is 15nm MLC. Case closed.

*2nd edit*
After additional research on Sandisk/Toshiba 15nm MLC, I think it's comparable if not better than 16nm Micron. I'm not concerned about endurance now.