Phison Introduces E29T Gen 4 Controller for Mainstream Consumer SSDs
At FMS 2024, Phison gave us the standard updates on their consumer flash options. The E31T Gen 5 mainstream controller has already been seen at just a few tradeshows beginning with Computex 2023, whereas the USB4 native flash controller for high-end PSSDs was unveiled at CES 2024. The brand new resolution being demonstrated was the E29T Gen 4 mainstream DRAM-less controller. Phison believes that there’s nonetheless efficiency to be eked out on the Gen 4 platform with a low-cost DRAM-less resolution.
| Phison NVMe SSD Controller Comparability | |||||||||
| E31T | E29T | E27T | E26 | E18 | |||||
| Market Section | Mainstream Client | Excessive-Finish Client | |||||||
| Manufacturing Course of |
7nm | 12nm | 12nm | 12nm | 12nm | ||||
| CPU Cores | 2x Cortex R5 | 1x Cortex R5 | 1x Cortex R5 | 2x Cortex R5 | 3x Cortex R5 | ||||
| Error Correction | seventh Gen LDPC | seventh Gen LDPC | fifth Gen LDPC | fifth Gen LDPC | 4th Gen LDPC | ||||
| DRAM | No | No | No | DDR4, LPDDR4 | DDR4 | ||||
| Host Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | ||||
| NVMe Model | NVMe 2.0 | NVMe 2.0 | NVMe 2.0 | NVMe 2.0 | NVMe 1.4 | ||||
| NAND Channels, Interface Velocity | 4 ch, 3600 MT/s |
4 ch, 3600 MT/s |
4 ch, 3600 MT/s |
8 ch, 2400 MT/s |
8 ch, 1600 MT/s |
||||
| Max Capability | 8 TB | 8 TB | 8 TB | 8 TB | 8 TB | ||||
| Sequential Learn | 10.8 GB/s | 7.4 GB/s | 7.4 GB/s | 14 GB/s | 7.4 GB/s | ||||
| Sequential Write | 10.8 GB/s | 6.5 GB/s | 6.7 GB/s | 11.8 GB/s | 7.0 GB/s | ||||
| 4KB Random Learn IOPS | 1500k | 1200k | 1200k | 1500k | 1000k | ||||
| 4KB Random Write IOPS | 1500k | 1200k | 1200k | 2000k | 1000k | ||||
In comparison with the E27T, the important thing replace is using a more recent LDPC engine that allows higher SSD lifespan in addition to compatibility with the newest QLC flash, together with further energy optimizations.
The corporate additionally had a U21 USB4 PSSD reference design (full with a MagSafe-compatible casing) on show, together with the standard CrystalDiskMark benchmark outcomes. We got to grasp that PSSDs primarily based on the U21 controller are very near transport into retail.
Phison has been recognized for taking the lead in introducing SSD controllers primarily based on the newest and biggest interface choices – be it PCIe 4.0, PCIe 5.0, or USB4. The competitors is often within the type of tier-one distributors choosing their in-house resolution, or Silicon Movement stepping in just a few quarters down the road after the market takes off with a extra power-efficient resolution. With the E29T, Phison is aiming to make sure that they nonetheless have a viable play within the mainstream Gen 4 market with their newest LDPC engine and supporting the very best obtainable NAND flash speeds.
