Everything Networking and Data Storage at Computex 2023
Update Nov ’23 – The QNAP TBS-574TX is now known as the TBS-h574TX, to indicate that this system supports QuTS Hero, the ZFS software platform
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Computex 2023, a pivotal event that brings the cutting edge of storage and data technology into sharp focus. Held annually in Taipei, Taiwan, this globally recognized event has become the launchpad for advancements that shape the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors. The rapid evolution of storage technology continues to redefine our digital landscape. This year, Computex 2023 is brimming with groundbreaking releases and announcements in the world of Network Attached Storage (NAS), Thunderbolt 4, PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, and hard drives. This article will serve as your trusted beacon amidst this flurry of innovation, providing timely updates on the latest products from industry trailblazers like Synology, ADATA, Realtek, QNAP, Asustor, OWC, Teamgroup, Patriot Viper, QSAN, and Transcend. Keep abreast of the dazzling showcase, as we dive into the world of high-speed interfaces, lightning-fast storage solutions, and advanced network-attached devices. This year’s Computex is set to highlight how these technologies are driving the future of digital storage and data management. Stay tuned and refresh this page regularly as we chronicle the leaps in tech that will shape the data landscape of tomorrow. Computex 2023 is not just about the future; it’s about the now, and you won’t want to miss a second!
Last Updated 03/06/23
QNAP Reveal A New Flash Thunderbolt 4 NAS, the TBS-h574TX with E1.S SSD Support
Full Article HERE and YouTube Video HERE
Straight off the bad, this NAS is something REAL special! The TBS-574TX might be one fo the most intriguing pieces of hardware that QNAP have revealed in several years. Arriving off the back of the TBS-574X that was revealed at CES 2023 in January, this seems to be a newly Thunderbolt4 enabled model. Arriving with the bleeding edge EDSFF ES.1 SSD support (ultimately, built on regular NVMe SSD PCIe storage, but allows greater capacity, heat dissipation potential, hot-swapping and expanded surface area utilities to improve NAND distribution. Which equals more potential storage and greater performance as NAND distribution increases. The QNAP TSBS-h574TX features five storage bays of ES.1, but ramps up the internal AND external bandwidth tremendously, with the choice of an Intel 12th Gen i3 or i5 Processor. Alongside the PCIe Gen4 lanes and quantity that these processors offer, this also is what allows the TBS-574TX to support two Thunderbolt 4 Ports for local direct access AND external 10GbE connectivity (plus 2.5GbE thrown in). At a little over 2KG in weight and just 60x215x199mm in size, this means that this insanely powerful compact NAS also has an exceptionally small physical footprint.
It’s also worth highlighting that this system has fans (absolutely no way you would want these kinds of specs on a fanless/silent NAS – it would throttle/bottleneck in no time!), but they appear to be quite modest in size and likely result in a suitably diminished noise level too. With regard to memory, it will come as no surprise in these ‘memory scarse’ and ‘memory price spike’ times, that this compact system has pre-soldered memory, with either 8GB or 16GB as the default (non-upgradable) choice. There is yet to be confirmed at the time of writing if this memory is ECC or not. Here are the specifications we know so far:
- QuTS or QTS Software Support (User Choice)
- 5-Bay, supporting ES.1 SSDs at 15mm height or normal M.2 NVMes at 2280 with an adapter (Gen 3/4 TBC, Likely Gen4)
- Intel 12th Gen i3-1220PE 8-Core/12 Thread (Max 4.2Ghz) or i5-1250pe 12 Core/16 Thread (Max 4.4Ghz) CPU Choice
- 8GB/16GB of fixed Memory (ECC TBC)
- Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C Ports (Front/Back)
- One 10GbE (10GBASE-T) Port
- One 2.5GbE (2.5GBASE-T) Port
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gb) Ports (Also, 1-Touch Copy Button)
- 1x USB 2.0
- 1x HDMI 1.4b (4K 30FPS)
- 215mm x 199mm x 60mm
- Twin rear fans, approx 40mm
- External PSU, 120w (TBC)
As mentioned, THIS is a very interesting NAS. But this is not the first Thunderbolt4 NAS that QNAP has ever revealed (the TS-464T4 from Early 2022 for example, which is seemingly now cancelled) and we have still yet to see a true TB4 release from them. So, as exciting as this product looks – I will wait till I see it actually get released before I get my hopes up!
ADATA Lead the way on Gen 5 NVMes with Project Neonstorm and Legend 970 SSD
Full Article on the ADATA Neonstorm and Legend 970 SSD HERE
At Computex 2023 in Taipei, ADATA unveiled two trailblazing PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSDs, both pushing the boundaries of design and performance. On NASCompares, we’re excited to present the show-stopping Project NeonStorm and the equally impressive Legend 970 SSD. Project NeonStorm is a head-turner, boasting a self-contained water-cooling solution built directly onto the XPG-branded M.2 SSD. The compact design cleverly incorporates miniature dual fans to cool the circulating fluid, keeping the SSD operating smoothly. This extraordinary cooling approach, combined with the SSD’s commanding sequential read and write speeds of 14,000 and 12,000 MB/s, respectively, sets it apart.
As if the innovative cooling solution weren’t enough, the NeonStorm also flaunts a visually striking design with copper pipes and a bubble hinting at the liquid within. The twin fans are cleverly tucked away out of sight, but their impact on the SSD’s performance is clear.
ADATA’s second revelation, the Legend 970 Gen5 SSD, opts for a more traditional design yet offers no less in performance. The improvement over its predecessor lies in the utilization of extruded aluminum fins and larger fans, providing an efficient cooling system.
This unassuming powerhouse delivers equally balanced sequential read and write speeds of 10,000 MB/s, demonstrating ADATA’s commitment to performance alongside innovation.
| Project Neonstorm SSD | ADATA Legend 970 |
| 14GB/12GB Seq Read/Write | 10GB/10GB Seq Read/Write |
| Water-Cooling + Twin Fans | Aluminium + Fans |
| Silicon Motion SM2508 Controller | Phison E26 Controller |
| NVMe 2.0 | NVMe 2.0 |
| UPTO 8TB | 1-2TB |
| 2M/2M 4K Random IOPS | 1.4M/1.4M 4K Random IOPS |
Both SSDs are making waves at Computex 2023, with ADATA leading the PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSD race with these standout offerings. Stay tuned to NASCompares for further updates from the Computex floor.
Asustor AS5402T and AS5404T HDD+M.2 NVMe NAS
Full Article HERE and YouTube Video HERE
Asustor had an impressively dense stand at the computed show, and although the newly released Flashstor 6 and 12 Pro were clearly the focus, there was also reveal of a new Home/Prosumer/SMB 2/4-Bay NAS systems in the AS54 series. Following in the footsteps of the refresh in 2022 of the Locksterstor series to a Gen 2, the AS5404T and AS 5402T are an upgraded refresh of the 2019 released Nimbustor series. These new desktop NAS systems arrive with a newer generation Intel Celeron CPU, DDR4 Memory, 2/4 SATA HDD bays, but also include four M.2 NVMe SSD slots too (much like the aforementioned Lockerstor Gen 2 Upgrade). Likewise, the USB ports have been upgraded to USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) and the system still retains the 2.5GbE x2 Network Connectivity.
- Intel N5105 Celeron CPU, 2-2.9Ghz with Int.Gfx
- 4GB DDR4 Memory
- 2x / 4x SATA HDDs
- 4x PCIe Gen 3 m.2 NVMe Bays
- 2x 2.5GbE Network Connections
- HDMI 2.0b 4K 60PFS Output
- 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gb/s Ports
- 65W/90W External PSU
- 1x 70mm / 1x 120mm Rear Fan
- 170(H) x 114(W) x 230(D) mm / 170(H) x 174(W) x 230(D) mm
- 3Yr Warranty
The Nimbustor 2/4 FROM 2019 was always a system I thought was massively overlooked in favour of it’s bigger brother and sisters in the Lockerstor series. But the new AS5402T and AS5404T are considerably more modernized options and the inclusion of a two-tier storage system in such a compact form is going to be enormously compelling and competitive in 2023/2024. We fully expect the price point of the AS54 series to be comparable to the $350/$450 (ex.TAX) of the AS52/53 series, perhaps with a small increase factoring in the years.
Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z5 Gen 5 NVMe SSD Finally Revealed
Full Article HERE for the Teamgroup T-Force Z5 SSD
Oh Boy! 2023 is massively turning into THE year for all the big names in SSD to reveal their Gen 5 NVMe offering – with the latest being Teamgroup. At Computex 2023, Teamgroup unveiled their T-FORCE DARK PCIe Gen 5 M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD, which is set to hit the market in 1, 2, and 4TB variants. This exciting addition to the T-FORCE lineup is projected to shatter performance records with maximum sequential read and write speeds reaching upwards of a blistering 14,000MB/s and 11,000MB/s, respectively.
To match its high performance, the SSD features a unique multi-layered cooling system with a choice of first-party AirFlow Coolers/heatsinks. Additionally, the SSD integrates S.M.A.R.T., a smart monitoring software, ensuring easy performance checks and adjustments. This cutting-edge drive is set to redefine SSD standards in the market.
- PCIe Gen 5 m.2 NVMe 2280
- 1-4TB Capacity at launch
- Reported Seq Performance of 14GB/s Read and 11GB/s Write
- Phison E26 Controller
- 1st Party Heatsink (three versions) Featuring an Aluminum fins heatsink with multiple layers and heat pipes (Watercooled, Stack, Fan and Barred versions)
We are still awaiting confirmation on the pricing and global availability of the Teamgroup T-Force Dark SSD, but they DID have benchmarks on show on constant refresh at their official stand:
Realtek RTL9220DP USB 20G-to-2-Port PCIe-SATA Bridge
At Computex 2023, Realtek unveiled a suite of high-performance components that promise to revolutionize various tech sectors. Leading the charge is the RTL9220DP storage solution. This single chip provides a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, supporting PCIe 3.0×4 lanes NVMe1.3 or SATA Gen3 SSDs. It offers compatibility with portable SSD duplicators, flash drives, docking stations, and more. It also introduces advanced data storage solutions with JBOD/RAID0/RAID1 features. Moreover, it’s fitted with programmable RGB, providing customizable LED effects for aesthetics alongside performance. Realtek’s Vice President, Yee-Wei Huang, emphasized the RTL9220DP’s green credentials, highlighting its dynamic power state switching, which balances power consumption and performance, making it an eco-friendly solution.
Patriot Viper PV553 PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD Revealed
Full Article on the Patriot Viper PV553 SSD HERE
Computex 2023 is shaping up to be a breeding ground for innovation, and one of the exciting reveals we’re eager to share with you is the Patriot Viper PV553, a next-generation PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSD. This latest product from Patriot Memory is poised to make a bold statement in the realm of flash storage technology, promising lightning-fast speeds and enhanced cooling efficiency. The Viper PV553 is designed to be the brand’s entry into the increased Gen5 standards of SSD technology that are slowly getting supported at the mobo level, embracing the high-speed capabilities of the PCI Express 5.0 interface.
For tech enthusiasts and professionals seeking the cream of the crop in flash storage performance, the Viper PV553 is a compelling contender, especially considering the scarcity of PCIe 5.0 SSD options currently available. As the new flagship product in Patriot Memory’s portfolio, the Viper PV553 boasts an impressive M.2 2280 form factor and offers dazzling sequential read and write speeds of up to 12.4 GB/s and 11.8 GB/s, respectively. This SSD is a powerhorse, designed to handle intensive data transfers and heavy-duty applications without breaking a sweat.
As PCIe Gen5 SSDs venture into new performance stratospheres, thermal management becomes crucial to prevent overheating and maintain optimal speeds. The Viper PV553 tackles this concern head-on, sporting a robust aluminum heatsink equipped with an active cooling fan. This advanced cooler design seeks to circumvent the performance degradation and errors observed in other SSDs due to excessive heat, a problem highlighted in reviews of products like Corsair’s MP700 SSD. The chunky heatsink and visible fan at the connector end suggest an aggressive approach to heat management. While it might stir curiosity about potential acoustics when the fan operates, what’s clear is the commitment to keeping the Viper PV553 cool and performance-ready.
The brand also revealed their concept/early development DRAMless PCIe SSD that will be built around the Phison E31T Controller. This is still VERY EARLY in development and I assume we are going to see/need some SERIOUS heatsinks for this kind of drive, but they were still highlighting that these new dramless drives will hit the high double digits of performance in GBs.
Realtek RTL8952A/RTL8922A WiFi 7 Controllers Realised and Revealed
Full Article covering the whole Realtek Wi-Fi 7 Presentation HERE
At Computex 2023, Realtek made waves in the world of wireless technology with the introduction of its newest Wi-Fi 7 controllers, the RTL8952A and RTL8922A. These advancements promise to push the boundaries of what wireless connectivity can achieve. The Realtek RTL8952A and RTL8922A controllers have been crafted with a keen eye for compatibility and coexistence. They are designed to be backwards compatible with legacy devices, seamlessly integrating with systems operating in the 2.4, 5, and 6GHz spectrum bands. This inclusive approach is set to make the transition to Wi-Fi 7 smoother and more accessible for users with diverse device ecosystems. Furthermore, these Wi-Fi 7 controllers come equipped with several enhancements aimed at improving the user experience. They support 4096 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), a modulation scheme used for sending data over network connections.
It enables more data to be sent in the same amount of time, thus enhancing the speed and efficiency of data transfer. Another notable feature is the inclusion of MLO (Multi-Link Operation) and MRU (Maximum Retransmission Units). These help improve the efficiency and reliability of wireless communication, further amplifying the performance benefits of the controllers.
Moreover, these controllers offer reduced latency, which is a crucial factor for time-sensitive networking applications. Whether it’s augmented or virtual reality, 4K and 8K video streaming, automotive applications, or gaming, the RTL8952A and RTL8922A controllers are engineered to deliver a seamless, lag-free experience.
Slated for consumer product integration in 2023, the Realtek Wi-Fi 7 controllers will be found in various devices including AP routers, PCs, Wi-Fi dongles, AR/VR devices, video streaming devices, and gaming gadgets, hopefully within the next 12-month period. The advent of these controllers ushers in a new era of Wi-Fi technology, setting a high bar for the future of wireless connectivity.
The ADATA Project Neonstorm Gen 5 SSD
Full Article HERE of the ADATA Neonstorm SSD
Of all the Gen5 SSDs that were revealed at Computex, the ADATA Neonstorm made the BIGGEST SPLASH! With a large-scale model of the drive towering above their stand, it was very hard to miss! The ADATA Neonstorm is a unique drive for two specific reasons when compared to all the other drives revealed at Computex. With the first reason being that it is one of the very few water-cooled M.2 NVMe SSDs in the market (and the ONLY GEN5 SSD that arrives with a preattached, fan-assisted and water-cooled heatsink. It definitely it a very unique-looking SSD and much like other drives in the XPG series, arrives with an incredible sense of style.
And 2) it is arriving with the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller! This is important, as 9/10 of Gen5 SSDs that have been revealed in the last 12 months are using the Phison E26 controller (as well as proprietary controllers as used by brands such as KOIXIA and Samsung). Currently, this controller, with the right NAND, has been reported to hit 14,000MB/s Sequential Read and 12,000MB/s Sequential Write – placing it higher than the Phison E26 controller’s current top speed.
Additionally, this controller also reports a maximum IOPS of 2 Million 4K Random in both read and write – with ADATA maintaining that the Neonstorm can hit these numbers!
Like many of the SSDs that were shown at Computex, the ADATA project Neonstorm drive did not share much in the way of specifics about durability, but did report that the drive will be available in/after launch in upto 8TB – which is massive! Although there are a lot of SSDs that will be covered in this article, this is probably the most intriguing.
|
Brand |
ADATA XPG |
|
Model ID |
Project Neonstorm |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
Upto 8TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC |
|
Controller |
Silicon Motion SM2508 |
|
Memory |
TBC |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
14GB/s / 12GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
2 Million / 2 Million |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
Yes. Features Watercooling, Aluminimum Casing and top/bottom fans |
|
Notes |
The first drive to be revealed with the Silicon Motion SM2508 Controller and out performing currrently Phison E26 (which is currently peaking at 12GB/11GB) |
QNAP TVS-h874T4 and TVS-h674T4 Thunderbolt 4 NAS Revealed
Full Article on the TVS-hx74T4 Series HERE and YouTube Video HERE
Of all the releases that I have seen revealed from the big brands showing off their wares at Computex 2023, few have left me as impressed as the (arguably, long overdue) reveal of the brand’s new TVS-hX74T4 Thunderbolt 4 Solutions. The QNAP TVS-h874T4 and TVS-h674T4 are the inevitable Thunderbolt 4 addition to the remarkably popular TVS-hX74 series. I say ‘inevitably’ because QNAP have been in the business of Thunderbolt-equipped NAS systems now for about 6 years and do not show any signs off slowing down! Arriving in two versions (6-Bay and 8-Bay), this is the intel-powered TB4-ready tier of their powerhouse desktop series. Although pricing has still TBC, I have been assured that release is targetted at Q3 2023.Of course, QNAP have previously revealed another TB4 solution (alongside another rather interesting TB4 solution, the TVS-574TX at their partner event) back in CES 2022 – The TS-464T4 affordable TB4 4-Bay. However, that system has since largely been confirmed cancelled). The TVS-h874T4 and TVS-h674T4 seem a great deal more grounded (functional hardware at their official event) with multiple physical units available.
As mentioned, if you are familiar with the existing QNAP TVS-hX74 series, the specifications of the new TVS-h874T4 and TVS-674T4 are going to be fantastically familiar. Both are using the highest tiers of hardware that the 6/8-Bay in the x74 series arrive with (I.e the i7 and i9 Core versions). A massive reason for this is going to be that Thunderbolt 4 support, although available on a few different CPU architecture’s, the Intel Core series has always been the more developed and supported processor for TB. There was also mention of USB 4 compatibility with this connection, but I cannot confirm at this time whether that is in the same style or DAS/TB-over-IP that Thunderbolt NAS has used on previous devices.
- (8-Bay) Intel Core 12th Gen i9 16-Core / 24 Thread Processor, 5.1Ghz Max Clock
- (8-Bay) Intel Core 12th Gen i7 12-Core / 20 Thread Processor, 4.9Ghz Max Clock
- DDR4 Memory (Likely 32-64GB)
- Integrated Graphics
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (discussion of support of USB 4 TBC)
- 2.5GbE (Optional 10GbE)
- 6/8x SATA 3.5”/2.5” Bays
- 2x PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 M.2 Slots
- PCIe Gen 4×16 Slot
- PCIe Gen 4×4 Slot (Occupied by the TB4 Card)
- 1x HDMI 1.4b
- 350W PSU
- 3 Year Warranty
The lack of 10GbE is a bit of a shame, especially if you compare it with the TVS-872XT. However, after asking QNAP about this, it was simply a case of keeping the system within a set price point of the series. 10GbE can be added easily via large range of 1st/3rd Party network upgrade cards. QM2 Cards (recently updated to in the QNAP portfolio), which means that the PCIe Gen 4×16 card slot can be used for a wide variety of network and/or storage upgrades. The range from 10-25-100GbE network cards, to Gen4 PCIe M.2 2/3 slot cards and even combo cards that can have 2 Gen4 m.2 SSDs and dual port 10GbE ports. I am still a little surprised that the TB4 Card occupies the Gen 4×4 slot, but this was the case in previous-gen Thunderbolt NAS systems, so perhaps is a ———bandwidth cap anyway (I’ll check!).
The ADATA Legend 970 Gen 5 SSD
Full Article HERE of the ADATA SSDs at Computex 2023
Alongside The Project Neonstorm SSD, ADATA also took the opportunity at Computex 2023 to reveal another Gen 5 SSD in their lineup, the ADATA Legend 970. This drive was a little more conventional (if such a term can be used in this latest generation of NVMe SSDs), arriving with a far more traditional M.2 heatsink and performance numbers that are more comparable to a lot of the initially revealed Gen 5 SSDs back in 2022, when early prototypes started appearing.
The reason for this arguably more mainstream performance from this Gen 5×4 SSD is because unlike the Neonstorm arriving with a rather unique controller, the ADATA Legend 970 arrives with the popular Phison E26 Gen5 controller that a vast number of other SSDs have been launched within this generation.
That doesn’t detract from it having solid performance numbers and definitely serves as a more affordable and realistic alternative to the still WiP Neonstorm.
|
Brand |
ADATA XPG |
|
Model ID |
Legend 970 |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1-2TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Phison E26 |
|
Memory |
TBC |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
10GB / 10GB |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
1.4 Million / 1.4 Million |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
Yes, Fanless, Compact surface area |
|
Notes |
The Patriot Viper PV553 Gen 5 SSD
Full Article on the Patriot Viper PV553 HERE and YouTube Video HERE
Patriot was another brand that took the chance at Computex 2023 to reveal two SSDs, a prototype ‘in progress’ one and a ‘close to release’ featured drive – the Patriot Viper PV553 is the latter! Arriving with a proprietary heatsink, that although one of the most compact/low of any of the SSDs at the show, still has very good vent design and an onboard fan.
The hardware architecture is pretty familiar from what we saw, another Phison E26 Controller SSD, but they boasted performance numbers a pinch higher than others on a similar performance level. Now, they did not elaborate on how this was possible, but we can assume it arrives with 212 layer 3D TLC NAND (again, TBC), which would help things, as many of the initially revealed drives that keenly mentioned the use of this controller, were still yet to fully take advantage of the recent increases in layer density from brands like micron, etc.
The previous generation Patriot Viper VP4300 was a great drive and one we previously reviewed on the channel positively, also commenting on it’s affordability too. I can definitely see this new PV553 Gen5 drive following suit in order to gain a strong early foothold in this gen of NVMe SSDs.
|
Brand |
Patriot |
|
Model ID |
Viper PV553 |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Phison E26 |
|
Memory |
2-4GB DDR4 |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
12.4GB/s / 11.8GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
TBC |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
Yes, heatsink, aluminium panel surround, connected fan |
|
Notes |
The Patriot DRAM-less Gen 5 SSD (In development)
Yep! As crazy as it sounds, with Gen 5 NVMes still barely being available globally and what there is being considered ‘first generation’, Patriot are waisting no time in stretching their muscles in this area by working on a DRAMless (I.e no on-drive memory) PCIe Gen 5×4 SSD. Now, if you are relatively new to SSDs (Gen 5 or otherwise) you might not quite understand the significance of this. I’ll get to that in a second, but despite this drive in development for Patriot arriving with DRAM , they state it can still hit 12,000MB/s Seq Read and 10,500MB/s Sequential Write. Which still puts in squarely in the ballpark of most other Gen 5 SSDs.
So, what does DRAMLESS mean? SSDs run not dissimilar to a computer. They need a CPU (the SSD Controller), storage space (the NAND, where your data lives) and in most cases, memory, to handle tasks on the fly. However, some SSDs that are designed for low sustained (I.e periods of time) tasks, low-powered systems and/or for a more affordable target market, will look at SSDs that make savings by running without the memory (I.e the DRAM). There are numerous Gen 3 and Gen 4 DRAMless SSDs – but these arrived later in the rollout of their respective generation of drive gens. Although Patriot did not flat out state which controller their DRAMless drive would arrive with, we can take an educated guess. Patriot has utilized Phison for their SSD controllers for a long time (particularly in the Gen4 generation) and recently Phison revealed their Gen5 DRAMLESS controller, the PS5031-E31T, supporting upto 8TB capacities, as well as both TLC and QLCC NAND. It’s tilll not 100% confirmed that this will be the controller it will be using, but it’s the most likely estimation at the time of writing.
So, how can a DRAMless SSD match (and, according to Patriot, actually surpass other Gen5 SSDs) an SSD that has DRAM? Well, currently the infrastructure of systems that have rolled out with PCIe Gen 5 support are not really able to fully take advantage of to full performance benefits of PCIe Gen 5. This will change over time, but right now this is something of a system bottleneck across most devices outside of the exceptionally high end system arena. This will change of course, but it means that DRAMless SSDs might actually stand half a chance to compete. They just need to be viewed in the context of drives that cannot compete with DRAM drives in sustained operations! Also, if you thought the heatsinks on many Gen5 SSDs up to this point were big – imagine what this DRAMless Gen5 SSD is going to need! The prototype on show was just chips on a board, so there was no indication of how heat dissipation will eventually be realised, but it will be very interesting to find out!
|
Brand |
Pariot |
|
Model ID |
ProtoType |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Phison PS5031-E31T |
|
Memory |
No, DRAMLESS |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
12GB/s / 10.5GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
1.5Million / 1.5 Million (Based on Phison Spec) |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
TBC |
|
Notes |
Still Work In Progress, |
Synology Finally Reveals their HAT3300 Plus Series HDDs
Synology HAT3300 HDD Full Article HERE and YouTube Video HERE
Synology continues its ever-expanding ecosystem of both hardware and software with the long-overdue reveal of their regular class NAS drive media, the HAT 3300 Plus series hard drives. Originally revealed here in an article back in February, Synology have been slowly working on this new expansion of their storage media selection for quite a while, and although the reaction to their enterprise-level media was perhaps a little mixed, I think there is definitely going to be a warmer and more engaged response to these new drives. Designed for users of value, prosumer, and SMB NAS hardware, these drives are designed for light to intermediate level use and are comparable to those of WD Red and Seagate Iron Wolf drives. Arriving in four separate capacities, as well as including several of the benefits of their enterprise brethren in the HAT 5300 series, those looking at a pure Synology-supported ecosystem network storage solution are definitely going to consider these in their next purchase. But what do we know about them? Let’s go through everything we know and also how these compare with previous hard drives in the Synology portfolio right now.
The release of the new Synology HAT 3300 hard drive is clearly very imminent. Information on these drives has been directly and indirectly appearing online now for a number of weeks and with the recent rollout of Synology DSM 7.2 and a number of key mid to high-level Synology NAS hardware seeing refreshes in the next 6 months, now is a very good time to roll out these new regular class NAS hard drives and I think we will see an official release in the next week or two at most. Thanks to price feeds and listings for these drives appearing on multiple websites online, the pricing of all four capacities of the HAT3300 drives that will be launched can be confirmed moderately accurately and are as follows:
|
|
 |
| Classification | Domestic SATA |
| Series Name | PLUS |
| Model | HAT3300 |
| Interface | SATA 6Gb |
| Recording | CMR/PMR |
| Capacity (5/23) | 4/6/8/12TB |
| RPM | 5400RPM (7200 on 12TB) |
| Cache | 256MB |
| Sector Size | 512e |
| Max Transfer Speed (Capacity Dependant) | 202/240MB/s |
| Drive Sealing | AIR/AIR/AIR/Helium |
| Power Use (Idle) | 3.96/3.4/3.4/5.07W |
| Power Use (Active) | 4.85/5.3/5.3/8.33W |
| Load/Unload Cycles | 600K |
| Workload Rating | 180TB (Annual) |
| MTBF (Hrs) | 1Million |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
Realtek RTS5863 Edge AI Camera Controller
Also introduced was Realtek’s Edge AI USB camera controller, the RTS5863, featuring cutting-edge image quality processing engines. These are equipped with Realtek’s 2nd generation video HDR technology and deliver superior image noise reduction. The RTS5863 boasts Edge AI machine vision engines that enhance video conferencing by detecting human presence for optimal power management. It also automatically adjusts screen brightness and offers user privacy alerts based on head pose/face detection. These innovative offerings are set to take various tech sectors by storm, bolstering Realtek’s reputation for creating high-quality, game-changing components.
Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z5 Gen 5 SSD
Teamgroup T-Force DARK Gen 5 NVMe SSD FULL Article HERE
Teamgroup were another brand that made quite a lot of noise at Computex 2023, with their new Cardea Z5 series front and center. Their Gen5 SSD was another Phison E26 SSD and one that boasted a 14GB/s Seq read – pretty much the consistent top end of what SSDs with their controller have been able to report max. That said, we know that the host system is going to need to be pretty top end to hit these kind of numbers.
Alongside the reveal of the Teamgroup Cardea Z5 Gen5 SSD, they also showed off one of the BEST selections of Gen5 ready heatsinks of ANY brand at the show! The Teamgroup Dark Airflow Series (1, 2 and 3).
Starting with a chunky slated aluminium stack style heatsink that was finned from top to bottom, you then had a rotating structured heatsink with copper pipe design to pull air over the heatsink in a targetted fashion. Then you had the multi-layer plated heatsink (also with a copper pipe) that had an integrated fan.
Finally, they had the water-cooling kit heatsink that arrived with it’s own dedicated and integrated system case fan and dual pipe water connections. Although the subject of SSD heat and potential throttling has been approached by many brands, this is by FAR the most impressive and detailed addressing of the subject by a brand.
Both at Computex AND just generally in the whole Gen5 SSD scene right now. Kudos to them!
|
Brand |
Teamgroup |
|
Model ID |
Cardea Z5 |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1TB – 2TB – 4TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Phison E26 |
|
Memory |
DDR4 |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
14GB/s / 11GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
TBC |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
No (Has Heatshield) – Multiple Versions Available Optionally. The Dark Air Flow Series of H/S’ + the Siren GD120S Water Cooled Heatsink kit |
|
Notes |
Watercooloing Heatsink Option and many other versions |
PNY NVMe M.2 SSD Dual Fan Heatsink for Gen5 Drives
A little less exciting, but nonetheless integral, is the improved development of M.2 NVMe SSD heatsinks. Gen5 drives are going to reach some serious ‘throttling temps’ quickly without a proficient and efficient heatsink, At Computexx 2023, PNY revealed a surprisingly modest yet innovative NVMe M.2 SSD Dual-Fan Heatsink, a product designed to excel in cooling even the most performance-intensive PCIe NVMe Gen5 SSDs. PNY’s novel dual-fan system garnered significant attention, not least because of an upcoming ARGB lighting version set to enliven custom PC builds and gaming rigs with a riot of colors. Moreover, the accompanying PNY VelocityX™ software allows users to keep tabs on fan speeds, SSD temperatures, and customize the vibrant ARGB lighting effects. Not stopping at the heatsink reveal, PNY also showcased its entire portfolio of products, ranging from PCIe NVMe Gen4 SSDs to microSD cards, flash drives, and portable storage, including notable models like the CS3140, CS2241, and the Elite-X USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) portable SSD.
The Gigabyte Aorus 12000 Gen5 SSD
The Gigabyte AORUS 12000 Gen 5 SSD Full Article HERE
When the very first wave of commercial/consumer Gen5 SSDs dropped, one of the first was the Gigabyte Aorus 10000 (which you can now buy), however the price of being ‘first’ to a new industry standard can all too often mean that your product loses out on the time when other brands wait a little longer and capitalize on growing efficiency and proficiency in the storage medium. That is clearly why Gigabyte then followed up that SSD with the reveal at Computex of the finished Gigabyte 12000 Gen5 SSD.
Now, the Gigabyte 12000 get’s its name from the reported 12GB/s seq Read (12,400MB/s Reported Max) and close to 12GB/s seq Write (Actually 11,800MB/s) that it can hit in an optimal system setup (a decent chunk better than the 10GB/10GB of the Gigabyte 10000) #.
It’s another Phison E26 (shocker!) controller built SSD and although it is pretty comparable to the previous Gen5 release from them, it almost certainly benefits from improved NAND layer and perhaps a memory increase at the higher cap (TBC – but seeing a lot of that in the newest Gen5 E26 drives).
|
Brand |
Gigabyte |
|
Model ID |
Aorus 12000 |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1TB – 2TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Phison E26 |
|
Memory |
DDR4 |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
12.4GB/s / 11.8GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
TBC |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
Yes, Heat Pipe Version +vents + Nanocarbon Coating |
|
Notes |
Gigabyte Aorus 10000 Already Available |
The KIOXIA CM7 E3.1 Enterprise Gen5 SSD Series
And now for something completely different! Kioxia is arguably one of the most well-known brand in enterprise-grade SSD and with the data center class drives starting to roll out in small quantities, it was inevitable that KIOXIA would be one of the first and the loudest. We actually knew about the CM7 series prior to Computex 2023, but this was the drive’s first real public display. Arriving in two version, the CM7 series is designed for high performance, but also sustained and durable long-term reliability. First, we have the KIOXIA CM7SAS drive.
Arriving in a compact 7mm 2.5” casing, this drive directly outputs into SAS / U.3 connectivity (PCIe Gen5 Single x4, dual x2), as well as in capacities that start at 1980GB and then scale up massively to a whopping 30,720GB – whilst still maintaining that slim 7mm height! As these are data center class, needless to say, durability is HIGH! Starting at 1.0 DWPD (Drive Writes per Day) and ending at 3.0 DWPD. That means that, even keeping in mind the increase rigours of Gen5 writing, these drives can write 1-3 drives of fresh data a DAY (overwriting each time). They also peak at 14GB/s Seq Read (though their Seq Write peaks at 7GB/s)
The other version of the KIOXIA CM7 Series on show was the E3,S version. E3.S is a part of the continuing evolution of PCIe storage to make it more data center/server efficient and convenient (better surface area for storage, chip distribution, hot swapping, etc) and it is no surprise that KIOXIA have entered this area so quickly (as have a few other enterprise SSD brands, sensing the way the wind is blowing!). It’s also worth mentioning that, as it is a data center class SSD, they both arrive with options for SED/Self-Encrypted-Drive, Power Loss Protection (PLP) and FIPS support.
|
Brand |
KIOXIA |
|
Model ID |
CM7 Series – E3.S Interface |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1920GB – 30,720GB |
|
NAND |
112 Layer Proprietary 3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Proprietary |
|
Memory |
DDR4 |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
14GB/s / 7GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
TBC |
|
Durability |
1-3DWPD |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
In 2.5” 15MM-7MM Casing, SAS |
|
Notes |
Enterprise Grade, Durability Priority, Encryption Support, PLP, U.3 Support (downgrades to PCIe Gen4) |
The Samsung PM1743 U3.2 Gen5 SSD
Another SSD that we have discussed on the channel previously appeared, almost stealthily, at the Supermicro stand at Computex – The Samsung PM1743 SSD. This is an SSD that has popped up incredibly rarely since it was first revealed, with most devices already rolled out towards existing top tier hyperscale/unified storage users in early rollout in the background. Much like the KIOXIA CM7 series, the PM1743 is another U3.S SSD that is aimed at the EXACT same enterprise market.
Samsung has been starting to turn things around following their slight struggles with NAND/Memory shortages (much like everyone else) but with the advantage (in most areas) or developing their SSD components ‘in-house’. This also means that the specifications of their components are a great deal harder to pin down, as they are most proprietary and more often than not, publicly withheld (same applies to the bulk of their SSD components in older-gen drives).
Samsung (along with Seagate and WD) are still among the BIGGEST names in SSD that have yet to reveal a consumer/M.2 NVMe SSD for Gen5, seemingly all prioritizing the data center class initially (where the money is!). But we will almost certainly see this change in the 2nd half of 2023. They also showed off the highly praised Samsung Gen 5 SSD Expander module.
|
Brand |
Samsung |
|
Model ID |
PM1743 U3.S |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1TB – 15.36TB |
|
NAND |
Proprietary |
|
Controller |
Proprietary |
|
Memory |
DDR4 |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
14GB/S / 7.1GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
2.5 Million / 360K |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
Cased |
|
Notes |
U3.S Interface, 7mm Height, the CXL Memory Expander also on show at SuperMicro Stand |
The KLEVV CRAS C950 Gen5 SSD
A relatively lesser-known brand outside of Taiwan, KLEVV revealed their own Gen 5 SSD, the CRAS C950. Now, I include it here, despite it’s localized/limited global availability later, because it was a great example at Computex of Gen 5 SSD architecture and components starting to trick down into the lesser established brands. This is something we did not really see in the Gen4 generation for almost a year and a half.
Yet, Gen5 has barely established itself and we have already started seeing the less prominent SSD brand begin to roll out their very own Phison E26 Gen5 SSDs. Arriving with a fairly standard heatsink that features a branded aluminium trim, the C950 is largely comparable to many of the standard Gen5 SSDs that have been revealed. Despite this though, it boasts availability in upto 4TB and transfer speeds of 12GB/s and 11GB/s Seq Read/Write, respectively.
It might not seem the most exciting drive, when the specifications are similar to many that have already been made public in the last 6-7 months, BUT its the fact that we have started seeing more accessible Gen5 SSDs enter the market, which inevitably means this new faster tier of NVMe SSD storage is going to gradually become more consumer affordable!
|
Brand |
KLEVV |
|
Model ID |
CRAS C950 |
|
PCIe Gen |
PCIe Gen 5 x 4 |
|
Capacities |
1TB – 2TB – 4TB |
|
NAND |
3D TLC NAND |
|
Controller |
Phison E26 |
|
Memory |
DDR4 |
|
Reported Max Transfer (Seq R/W) |
12GB/s / 11GB/s |
|
Reported Max IOPS (4K Random R/W) |
TBC |
|
Durability |
TBC |
|
Includes Heatsink? |
Yes, standard style, name plate |
|
Notes |
Taiwanese Local Brand |
The SSI SI-452TB4 Thunderbolt 4 DVM Docking Station
Computex 2023 is buzzing with innovative tech and SSI is at the forefront with its latest offering, the SI-452TB4 TBT4 KVM Dock. Unveiled for the first time after a sneak peek at CES, this dock is set to redefine user-device interfacing with its high-speed ports, sleek design, and easy functionality. The SI-452TB4 is not just a high-performance gadget; it’s a masterpiece in design. Crafted from high-quality aluminum and high-strength ABS+PC plastic, it showcases both durability and aesthetic appeal. The dock’s slim dimensions (165.0 x 75.00 x 20.5 mm) make it compact enough for any workspace, and the convenient foot-long tether for the PC switch adds to its user-friendly design.
Equipped with multiple Thunderbolt™4 40G ports (both input and output) and four USB3.2 10Gbps USB-A ports, the SI-452TB4 promises speedy data transfers and flexible connectivity. A dedicated host option switchover button coupled with distinct PC1/PC2 LED indicators make it effortless to switch between two PCs. The SI-452TB4 is brimming with features that enhance its usability and performance. It offers one-button source switching, supports dual host data transmission/screen display, and enables TBT4 mode for blazing 40Gbps to host. Moreover, it’s engineered to support DP1.4, offering 8K@60Hz video output for stunning visuals.
The dock also caters to device charging, with Thunderbolt™4 downstream PD3.0 65W charge and USB-A supporting mobile device BC1.2 charging. It offers cost-efficient device sharing, eliminating the need for plug & unplug actions for hosts, thereby decluttering your workspace. From personal use to professional settings, the SI-452TB4 offers versatile application scenarios. Whether you’re looking to enhance your home’s device sharing, streamline video creation, manage remote control, or optimize your work-from-home setup, this dock is a game-changer. Its multi-window editing and multi-screen display features also make it an asset for engineers and financial investors.
．2 to 2 KVM dock, TB4 speed up to 40G.
．1 button to switch between 2 computers.
．8K@60Hz output through TB connection.
．2x upstream for TB computer connection.
．3x downstream for TB devices application.
．4x USB-C for 10Gbps devices application.
．1-on-1 upstream laptop PD 65W Charging.
📧 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER 🔔 This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below
🔒 Join Inner Circle
Get an alert every time something gets added to this specific article!
Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?
Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you.
