Feed: AnandTech
Feed Link: https://www.anandtech.com
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Title: Phison Introduces E29T Gen 4 Controller for Mainstream Client SSDs

Date: Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:15:00 EDT
Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/21517/phison-i...

At FMS 2024, Phison gave us the usual updates on their client flash
solutions. The E31T Gen 5 mainstream controller has already been seen at a
few tradeshows starting with Computex 2023, while the USB4 native flash
controller for high-end PSSDs was unveiled at CES 2024. The new solution
being demonstrated was the E29T Gen 4 mainstream DRAM-less controller. Phison
believes that there is still performance to be eked out on the Gen 4 platform
with a low-cost DRAM-less solution.

Phison NVMe SSD Controller Comparison E31T E29T E27T E26 E18 Market Segment
Mainstream Consumer High-End Consumer Manufacturing
Process 7nm 12nm 12nm 12nm 12nm CPU Cores 2x Cortex R5 1x Cortex R5 1x Cortex
R5 2x Cortex R5 3x Cortex R5 Error Correction 7th Gen LDPC 7th Gen LDPC 5th
Gen LDPC 5th 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
Version NVMe 2.0 NVMe 2.0 NVMe 2.0 NVMe 2.0 NVMe 1.4 NAND Channels, Interface
Speed 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 Capacity 8 TB 8 TB 8 TB 8 TB 8 TB Sequential Read 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 Read IOPS 1500k 1200k 1200k 1500k 1000k 4KB
Random Write IOPS 1500k 1200k 1200k 2000k 1000k

Compared to the E27T, the key update is the use of a newer LDPC engine that
enables better SSD lifespan as well as compatibility with the latest QLC
flash, along with additional power optimizations.

The company also had a U21 USB4 PSSD reference design (complete with a
MagSafe-compatible casing) on display, along with the usual CrystalDiskMark
benchmark results. We were given to understand that PSSDs based on the U21
controller are very close to shipping into retail.

Phison has been known for taking the lead in introducing SSD controllers
based on the latest and greatest interface options - be it PCIe 4.0, PCIe
5.0, or USB4. The competition is usually in the form of tier-one vendors
opting for their in-house solution, or Silicon Motion stepping in a few
quarters down the line after the market takes off with a more power-efficient
solution. With the E29T, Phison is aiming to ensure that they still have a
viable play in the mainstream Gen 4 market with their latest LDPC engine and
supporting the highest available NAND flash speeds.

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