Compact, DRAM-less Gen4 SSD with 7.4GB/s Speeds – GamingPH.com

The Transcend PCIe SSD 255S is a high-speed DRAM-less Gen4 x4 NVMe drive constructed for customers seeking to take advantage of at the moment’s broadly adopted PCIe Gen4 storage interface present in each trendy laptops and desktops. Providing rated sequential learn speeds of as much as 7,400 MB/s and write speeds as much as 6,500 MB/s, it goals to ship aggressive efficiency for a variety of customers, together with players, content material creators, and people dealing with on a regular basis computing duties. With its M.2 2280 type issue and help for NVMe 1.4, the 255S positions itself as a succesful possibility within the Gen4 SSD market.

Within the Philippines, the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S is presently priced at round PHP 5,150 for the 1TB variant and PHP 9,150 for the 2TB model, inserting it within the mid vary section of Gen4 SSDs. 

On this assessment, we’ll take a more in-depth take a look at its design, options, and real-world efficiency, utilizing a variety of industry-standard benchmarks to guage how nicely it lives as much as its specs.

Packaging

The retail packaging of the Transcend 255S follows the model’s acquainted black-and-red coloration scheme, sustaining a clear and trendy aesthetic in step with Transcend’s total branding. The entrance of the field clearly highlights key specs, together with the PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, NVMe 1.4 help, M.2 2280 type issue, and the 1TB capability, alongside a product picture of the SSD itself.

On the again, the packaging supplies further technical particulars and specs towards a clear white background with the highlights of the SSD drive’s 5-year worldwide guarantee.

Contained in the field, the SSD is securely housed in a typical plastic tray, accompanied by primary documentation and a guaranty card.

The Transcend 255S SSD

The Transcend 255S includes a smooth black PCB topped with a patterned black-and-gold warmth spreader, in step with the design seen within the earlier 245S, 220S, and many others. The Transcend brand and mannequin quantity (MTE255S) are printed in gold, standing out cleanly towards the matte background. Its low-profile, single-sided design ensures broad compatibility, not solely with desktops and laptops, but additionally with gadgets just like the PlayStation 5 and MAC Mini’s exterior storage that help M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD.

The again aspect of the SSD is apparent black with a easy sticker containing the serial quantity and regulatory data. With no elements on the underside, the single-sided design affords higher clearance.

{Hardware} Overview

On the core of the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S is the Silicon Movement SM2268XT2 controller, a power-efficient, DRAM-less PCIe Gen4 resolution designed particularly for compact and low-power consumer SSDs. Constructed on a 12nm course of, this controller helps as much as 7.4 GB/s learn and 6.7 GB/s write speeds, in addition to as much as 1,200K IOPS in random learn/write.

As a substitute of onboard DRAM, the SM2268XT2 makes use of Host Reminiscence Buffer (HMB) expertise, borrowing a small portion of system reminiscence to handle FTL (Flash Translation Layer) operations. Whereas this strategy might lead to barely decrease sustained efficiency below heavy write hundreds in comparison with DRAM-equipped SSDs, it helps cut back energy consumption and manufacturing value—making it an environment friendly resolution for on a regular basis use and skinny gadgets.

The controller additionally contains NANDXtend® 4K+ LDPC ECC, a sturdy error correction engine that enhances knowledge reliability and extends NAND lifespan. A built-in RAID engine and good power-saving options, akin to clock gating and real-time block power-down, additional optimize the drive’s effectivity.

Complementing the controller is the built-in graphene-based heatspreader, which passively dissipates warmth. Whereas not an alternative choice to a full heatsink in high-performance situations, it helps handle temperatures successfully in most use instances, notably when paired with good airflow or motherboard-integrated M.2 cooling options.

Benchmark

To guage the efficiency of the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S, we put in the drive on a mid-range take a look at system to see if it might meet its marketed velocity targets. The take a look at rig is configured as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i5-14400

Motherboard: MSI B760M Venture Zero

Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 3070

Cooling: DarkFlash Tornado DX-360 Liquid CPU Cooling

OS: Home windows 11 Professional

Upon preliminary detection in CrystalDiskInfo, the SSD reported an idle temperature of 39°C, indicating efficient baseline thermal habits even with out lively cooling utilized on to the drive.

CrystalDiskMark

In CrystalDiskMark 9.0.1, the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S recorded a sequential learn velocity of seven,094.98 MB/s and write velocity of 5,095.60 MB/s. Random 4K efficiency reached 4,002.47 MB/s learn and 4,564.98 MB/s write at greater queue depths, whereas single-threaded 4K outcomes got here in at 59.14 MB/s learn and 289.31 MB/s write, indicating strong responsiveness for common duties.

AS SSD Benchmark

Within the AS SSD Benchmark, the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S delivered a sequential learn velocity of 5,181.94 MB/s and write velocity of 4,320.19 MB/s. Random 4K efficiency reached 43.86 MB/s learn and 228.47 MB/s write, whereas the 4K-64Thrd take a look at recorded 1,627.49 MB/s learn and 1,901.41 MB/s write. Entry instances had been measured at 0.016 ms (learn) and 0.098 ms (write), with an total rating of 5,825, displaying constant efficiency for general-purpose use.

HD Tune Professional (Estimated)

In HD Tune Professional, the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S confirmed steady efficiency throughout the total 1TB capability. It recorded a minimal switch price of 1,154.8 MB/s, a most of two,335.2 MB/s, and a mean of two,286.1 MB/s throughout sustained learn operations. The entry time was measured at 0.022 ms, and the burst price reached 2,120 MB/s, with a low CPU utilization of three.0%. The drive maintained constant throughput all through the take a look at with no main drops or instability.

Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at

Within the Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at, the Transcend PCIe SSD 255S reached a write velocity of 4,225.9 MB/s and a learn velocity of 4,894.3 MB/s. These outcomes point out the drive is appropriate for demanding video workflows, together with codecs as much as 12K DCI ProRes 422 HQ and 8K H.265, as proven by the total checkmarks within the compatibility chart. General, the SSD dealt with high-resolution video modifying and playback situations nicely, making it a viable possibility for content material creators working with giant media recordsdata.

MAC M4 Mini Benchmark

When linked to a Mac Mini M4 by way of a PCIe Gen4 exterior enclosure, the Transcend 255S achieved a write velocity of 1,761.1 MB/s and a learn velocity of 1,774.3 MB/s. Within the format compatibility take a look at, it dealt with all widespread ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 workflows as much as 8K DCI 60 fps, although 12K DCI 60 fps playback was not supported. 

In “How Quick?” metrics, it sustained 4,483 MB/s writes and 4,452 MB/s reads for H.265 1080 HD and 438 MB/s writes and 435 MB/s reads for 2160 4K, illustrating that, even behind an exterior enclosure, the drive stays a powerful alternative for high-resolution video modifying on macOS.

Conclusion

The Transcend PCIe SSD 255S 2TB affords a strong steadiness of efficiency, effectivity, and compatibility within the Gen4 NVMe class. In our exams, it delivered speeds near its marketed figures, exceeding 7,000 MB/s learn and over 5,000 MB/s write in CrystalDiskMark, and maintained constant throughput throughout sustained workloads. Regardless of its DRAM-less structure, the SM2268XT2 controller paired with Host Reminiscence Buffer (HMB) expertise permits the drive to stay responsive for gaming, multitasking, and on a regular basis functions.

Thermally, the built-in graphene heatspreader retains the drive cool sufficient below typical workloads, although pairing it with a motherboard heatsink continues to be beneficial for long-duration or intensive duties. With help for video codecs as much as 12K ProRes confirmed in Blackmagic testing, the 255S additionally proves succesful in media-heavy workflows.

When it comes to pricing, the 1TB variant is accessible for round PHP 5,150, and the 2TB mannequin for about PHP 9,150 within the Philippines. These costs place the 255S within the mid-range bracket, making it extra reasonably priced than premium Gen4 SSDs with DRAM, whereas nonetheless delivering efficiency near the highest finish. For customers who worth velocity and reliability with out the premium price ticket, the 255S affords robust worth for cash.

For these with this SSD, it’s now accessible on Shopee, Lazada and different retailers within the Philippines.