Resources

Resources:

This is a page for all the SSD-related resources you would need, from copypastas on DRAM to SSD Firmware flashing tools.

Discord Servers:

NewMaxx Discord Server: https://discord.gg/e9gJbrGnrm

Has some of the most knowledgeable and technical people on all things SSDs. Also includes some sources for Swaps.

PSU Hot Tub Community: https://discord.gg/5jeG5RgCmn

Discussion server for SSDs and other stuff. Also is the main support server for this website.

SSD databases:

TPU SSD Database: https://www.techpowerup.com/ssd-specs/

Comprehensive database with good information, although it often is out of date. Still the best current database available.

NewMaxx SSD database: https://docs.google.com/ (link is shortened)

The original SSD database. Unfortunately isn't updated that frequently and the section on configs doesn't really account for swaps.

Jonny Lucky SSD database: https://www.johnnylucky.org/data-storage/ssd-database.html

Database with some information on SSDs, has relatively good information on PCIe Gen 5 SSDs. Unfortunately doesn't specify config swaps and how often they update it is a bit muddy.

SSD tools:

Crystal Dew World Tools: https://crystalmark.info/en/

Maker of CrystalDiskMark and CrystalDiskInfo.

CrystalDiskMark:

Leading Benchmark tool for SSDs, ideal when comparing drives under the same conditions. It can also be used for testing with one variable changed.

CrystalDiskInfo:
Information tool for SSDs, provides information on SSD health (SMART) and related things.

KDiskMark: https://github.com/JonMagon/KDiskMark

Alternative to CrystalDiskMark for people on Linux.

SSD VLO Tools: http://vlo.name:3000/ssdtool/

Tool mainly used to determine SSD Controller/Nand info along with various recovery tools.

For People Using FlashID:

Please check that you have downloaded the correct version for the controller that you think you have. If the tool reports back unknown controller or fails, please try different tools for all the possible controller options. If that fails, please leave a comment or ping me in the discord server and I'll reply to you with more information.

NVMe-CLI: https://nvmexpress.org/open-source-nvme-ssd-management-utility-nvme-command-line-interface-nvme-cli/

Command line tool for managing NVMe drives in linux. Can be used as an alternative to FlashID, although nand data doesn't show up.

SSD MPtools: https://www.usbdev.ru/files/ (Main source to MPtools, although there can be some on other sites)

Tool to recover and restore SSD/USB drives (depends on the specific tool) and flash different firmwares. Can be used to sometimes remove speed caps on some drives. Search MPtool along with your controller to see if a MPtool is available. (as these are unofficial there may not be a MPtool for your controller, especially with newer controllers)

SSD Reviewers:

This a list of SSD reviewers that are worth checking out.

TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/

Comprehensive reviews on SSDs of generally high quality. Also runs the SSD database which, although can be outdated (and it usually is), is very thorough in their documentation.

Tom's Hardware: https://www.tomshardware.com/

SSD reviews with mostly quality testing. The statements from the reviewers can be concerning at times though, so I would listen to any opinions stated here with caution.

TweakTown: https://www.tweaktown.com/

SSD reviews that can at times be good. The quality can be varied though, so take it with a grain of salt at times.

ProSSD: https://www.youtube.com/ (link is shortened)

Highly frequent SSD reviews, good for checking for any swaps with SSDs. Tends to cover Chinese SSDs frequently as well.

ServeTheHome: https://www.servethehome.com/category/storage/

Good source to check out if nothing else has the drive you are looking for. Has good coverage of enterprise and server solutions.

Copypastas:

Please contact me through discord if you want your work removed. The titles of the copypastas have a pastebin link that you can copy from.

Copypasta on DRAM vs DRAMless NVMe drives (Credit: The Tech Discord Server):

DRAM is not overwhelmingly important for NVMe as it is for SATA unless you're hammering the drive with terabytes of writes at a time such as during video editing; even then, HMB (host memory buffer) serves its purpose well, especially with newer and more robust DRAMless controllers, by reserving a tiny amount of system memory for storing the address table. Even larger drives will use some of their free space as superfast SLC cache that can absorb more data before going where it's supposed to go.

DRAMless-ness gets much of its negative press from SATA days when controllers only had a tiny amount of on-controller DRAM to work with and would choke under certain workloads.

Nand Flash-Related Resources:

Micron NAND Flash Chart: https://ibb.co/rGp0cYXm

Chart with information on Micron NAND Part Numbers, as well as a list of all Micron Flash NAND. Very useful when you're dealing with nand flash starting with code 29F (Micron Consumer) or code 29E (Micron Enterprise).

Unimos NAND Flash Chart: https://ibb.co/DgWyDV9r

Chart with information on NAND part numbers, can be useful for some YTMC nand bins.