Review of the Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD – New King Crowned?
The Phison E26 Controller equipped Max14um SSD is currently on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, where it’s a part of Phison’s exhibit showcasing their latest advancements in solid-state drive technology. Prior to its demonstration at CES, a unit of the Max14um SSD was provided in advance for the purpose of an in-depth review and benchmarking analysis. This review will delve into the hardware specifications of the Max14um SSD, examining the components and design choices that underpin its performance. A key focus will be on the SSD’s unique heatsink, an essential feature given the drive’s high-speed capabilities and the thermal challenges associated with such performance levels. Benchmarking results from a suite of tests, including ATTO, AS SSD, CrystalDiskMark, and AJA, will be presented to quantify the drive’s performance across various scenarios. These tests are designed to push the SSD to its limits and provide a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities in both sequential and random data handling tasks. The findings aim to offer a detailed perspective on how the Max14um SSD stands in the current market, particularly in comparison to its contemporaries.
Note – Video Review of the Phison Max14um SSD on YouTube HERE (Live Later today)
| Specification | Phison E26 Max14um 2TB | Phison E26 Max14um 4TB |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface/Protocol | PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0 |
| Controller | Phison PS5026-E26 | Phison PS5026-E26 |
| DRAM | LPDDR4 | LPDDR4 |
| NV Memory | Micron 2400MT 232L TLC | Micron 2400MT 232L TLC |
| Sequential Read | Up to 14,600 MB/s | Up to 14,600 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | Up to 12,700 MB/s | Up to 12,700 MB/s |
| Random Read | Up to 1,500,000 IOPS | Up to 1,500,000 IOPS |
| Random Write | Up to 1,600,000 IOPS | Up to 1,600,000 IOPS |
| Controller Tech | Dual-CPU, Arm Cortex-R5, TSMC 12nm | Dual-CPU, Arm Cortex-R5, TSMC 12nm |
| Flash Channels | Up to 8 channels, 32 CE | Up to 8 channels, 32 CE |
| Max Flash Transfer Rate | Up to 2,400MT/s | Up to 2,400MT/s |
| Security | AES 256, SHA 512, RSA 4096, TCG Opal | AES 256, SHA 512, RSA 4096, TCG Opal |
| Temperature Range | Operating: 0–70°C, Storage: -40–85°C | Operating: 0–70°C, Storage: -40–85°C |
Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – Quick Conclusion
In summarizing the capabilities of the Max14um SSD, it’s clear that this drive is a formidable presence in the Gen5 market, setting a new standard for speed and performance. The inclusion of 2400MT/s B58R NAND allows the SSD to fully capitalize on its potential, with the sophisticated cooling solution ensuring that this performance is sustainable over time. The compact form factor of the Max14um SSD is notably impressive, given its proximity to the bandwidth ceiling of Gen 5×4. The support and backing by Phison add a layer of reliability and assurance for the end-user. Additionally, the prospect of a 4TB model caters to the growing demand for high-capacity, fast storage solutions. However, the excellence of the Max14um SSD comes at a price, which is expected to reflect its high-end specifications and performance. Durability ratings, while not yet specified, are projected to be on par with industry averages, potentially around 0.3-0.38 DWPD. It’s important to note the cooling system’s reliance on a 4-pin CPU fan connector, which may not suit all users’ configurations, as it cannot draw power from the M.2 slot or a standard SATA/molex connection. Moreover, the drive’s ability to maintain its peak performance consistently will depend heavily on the specific client system in which it is installed.
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Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – PCB Chip Layout and Design
The Max14um SSD, equipped with the Phison E26 controller, stands out in the realm of Gen 5 SSDs primarily due to its adoption of Micron’s B58R NAND flash, which operates at 2400MT/s. This specification is a significant step up from the 1600MT/s speeds that are prevalent among other Gen 5 drives currently on the market till now. The higher transfer rate of the NAND directly contributes to the increased performance of the SSD, allowing it to handle larger volumes of data more efficiently and resulting in the elevated sequential read and write speeds observed in this model.
The Phison E26 controller itself is a pivotal component, designed to leverage the full potential of the high-speed NAND. It employs a dual-CPU configuration with Arm Cortex-R5 cores and is fabricated using a 12nm process technology. This setup enables the controller to manage the data flow across up to 8 channels with 32 chip enables (CE), which is instrumental in achieving the SSD’s top-tier performance metrics.
Additionally, the Max14um SSD integrates LPDDR4 DRAM, enhancing the controller’s ability to handle the I/O operations effectively. This integration is vital for maintaining the drive’s swift response times and managing the NAND’s high-speed transfers without bottlenecking the system. As a consequence, this design choice facilitates the drive’s capability to reach and sustain its peak performance.
The operational parameters of the Max14um SSD, such as its operating temperature range and power management features, are aligned with the industry standards for high-performance drives. The SSD’s compliance with stringent security protocols, including AES 256 and TCG Opal, without affecting its throughput, reflects a well-rounded approach to design that considers not just performance but also reliability and data security.
The Max14um SSD’s thermal management is integral to its design, particularly notable given the drive’s performance during intensive benchmarking. Even when subjected to the rigorous demands of ATTO and CrystalDiskMark tests, the SSD maintained exceptionally low operating temperatures. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the included heatsink, which has been meticulously engineered to handle the thermal output of the drive under heavy loads.
The heatsink that accompanies the Max14um SSD is slightly taller than those found on alternative SSDs such as the ADATA 970 Legend or the Seagate FireCuda 540. However, this increase in height is marginal and carefully calculated, ensuring that while it provides superior cooling capabilities, it does not significantly impact the overall form factor or the ease of installation in space-constrained environments.
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In comparison to other high-performance SSDs on the market, such as the Nextorage Gen 5 drive and the Gigabyte Gen5 Aorus SSD, the Max14um’s heatsink is significantly less obtrusive. These competing drives opt for much taller heatsinks to accommodate their thermal dissipation needs, which can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with certain hardware configurations or enclosures. The Max14um strikes a balance between efficient cooling and compactness, avoiding the potential pitfalls of larger cooling solutions.
The result is a cooling system that is both effective and unassuming, allowing the Max14um SSD to deliver its robust performance without the need for an overly bulky or cumbersome heatsink. This thoughtful approach to design ensures compatibility with a wide range of hardware setups, maintaining the Max14um’s position as a versatile and user-friendly option in the high-speed SSD market.
Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – Performance & Benchmarks
Performance benchmarks for the Phison E26 Max14um SSD were conducted on a midrange PC rig, in a Windows environment, with the Phison E26 Max14um used as an additional drive. The OS drive was a simple SATA SSD. Depending on the test results, a 2nd round of testing will be conducted on a higher tier Gen4 SSD OS test machine, but for now this arguably more domestic test rig was used in order to better represent an average PC user. The full machine test setup was:
- Windows 10 Pro (SATA OS Drive, Seagate Firecuda 125)
- ASUS Intel Z690 ROG MAXIMUS HERO Motherboard
- 12th Gen Intel i5-12600K 3.7Ghz (4.9Ghz Burst) 10 Core (6P + 4E)
- 16GB DDR5 4800Mhz Memory (1x16GB)
- No GFX Card (though CPU has Intel UHD Graphics 770 iGPU)
-
Intel® UHD Graphics 770
- Phison E26 Max14um 1TB SSD in PCIe 5×4 M.2 Slot
Phison E26 Max14um SSD CrystalDiskMark Tests
The first tests were favoured towards Sequential (big, blocky and in-line) performance, using CrystalDiskMark on the Phison E26 Max14um, on 1GB, 4GB and 16GB Test Files. First up, the 1GB File:
Next up, the 4GB CrystalDiskMark Phison E26 Max14um Test:
Then, a much more dense 16GB File test
Finally, the largest 64GB CrystalDiskMark Phison E26 Max14um Test:
Phison E26 Max14um SSD ATTO Disk Benchmark Tests
The next tests on the Phison E26 Max14um SSD were conducted with Atto Diskbenchmark, once again at three file size types (256MB, 1GB and 4GB). Atto Disk Benchmark has a slight difference in GB calculation to CrystalDiskMark, so do not be alarmed by the slight difference in stats. We looked at the Sequential Performance and the reported IOPS. First up is the 256MB Test File
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Next up for the Phison E26 Max14um SSD was a larger round of 1GB tests:
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Finally, the 4GB Test file. This was also the area when the SSD reached it’s highest temperature (mentioned earlier)
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Phison E26 Max14um SSD AS SSD Tests
Next up was an arguably more SSD-focused test, this time with AS SSD on the Phison E26 Max14um SSD. Again, much like the other test flows, AS SSD has it’s own metrics, so cannot be directly compared against ATTO and CrystalDisk directly. The first test was using the 1GB Test file:
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Next Phison E26 Max14um AS SSD test was a 3GB test file:
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Finally, there was the larger 5GB test file.
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Tests for all three AS SSD benchmarks were pretty comparable.
Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – Conclusion and Verdict
In conclusion, the Max14um SSD sets a new benchmark for Gen5 SSDs with its exceptional performance and efficient thermal management. It stands out as the fastest drive currently available in its category, a testament to the synergy between its cutting-edge 2400MT/s B58R NAND and the Phison E26 controller. The heatsink design deserves special mention for its capability to maintain optimal temperatures without bulking up the device, ensuring that the high-speed components can operate without thermal throttling. Despite its impressive speeds and cooling system, the drive’s size remains surprisingly compact, particularly when considering its performance metrics that are close to saturating the Gen 5×4 bandwidth. Furthermore, the upcoming availability of a 4TB option adds to its appeal for users seeking high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions. The backing by Phison, not just in terms of the controller but the entire drive, provides a level of assurance in terms of quality and support.
However, potential buyers should be aware of the expected high cost of the drive, which could be a significant factor in purchase decisions. Additionally, while the exact durability ratings (DWPD/TBW) are yet to be disclosed, they are anticipated to be average for high-end SSDs. The requirement of a 4-pin CPU fan connector for cooling may pose a compatibility issue for certain setups, as the fan is not powered directly by the M.2 interface or through SATA/molex power. It’s also important to note that the sustained performance of 14/12GB is contingent upon the client’s environment and workload.
| Phison E26 Max14um SSD
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| Phison E26 Max14um SSD PROS | Phison E26 Max14um SSD CONS |
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