Crucial MX300 Limited Edition 750GB 2.5" SSD Review @ ModSynergy.com
By: Michael Phrakaysone
Greetings, readers, and a warm welcome to 2017! I trust that each of you enjoyed a delightful Christmas holiday season and a fantastic New Year's celebration. As I reflect upon the journey of this website, which began in Q4 2002, I am amazed at how far we have come. If someone had told me 14 years ago that I would be overseeing ModSynergy.com for almost half of my life, I would have deemed them incredulous. However, that is precisely the case.
Over the years, I have witnessed the ebb and flow of numerous technologies within the tech industry. The ever-evolving and dynamic nature of technology is its true beauty—it never remains stagnant for too long. As a self-professed tech enthusiast, I find its perpetual evolution endlessly captivating.
One such technology that I have closely followed since 2009 is the Solid State Drive (SSD). I still remember my first encounter with an ExpressCard and SATA 1 SSD. Back then, I touted it as a viable alternative to conventional hard drives. However, SSDs struggled to gain mainstream acceptance primarily due to their high prices and limited awareness among the general public. Nevertheless, I always believed that mainstream acceptance was inevitable. I reviewed SSDs ranging from SATA 1 to SATA 3 before taking a hiatus in Q1 2014. It was around that time that SSDs began to gain traction, with prices decreasing and everyday users becoming acquainted with their benefits. More OEMs started offering SSDs, solidifying their position in the market. I have consistently emphasized that upgrading to an SSD is one of the most impactful enhancements one can make to rejuvenate an aging or even a current machine. The difference is truly night and day, and the improvement is instantly noticeable.
If you peruse my earlier SSD reviews, you will find that I tested various NAND memory types, including Synchronous, Asynchronous, Toggle, MLC, and SLC. However, SSD technology has continued to advance, introducing new NAND technologies such as TLC NAND. In today's review, I am delighted to introduce you to the latest NAND memory technology—3D NAND—through the examination of the 750GB Crucial MX300 SSD. Crucial, a distinguished brand affiliated with Micron Technology, one of the top five semiconductor companies, has become the second company, in collaboration with Intel Corporation, to develop and offer 3D NAND technology within an SSD.
About Crucial
Crucial celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016.
Crucial is a global brand of Micron Technology, Inc. Crucial solid state drives (SSDs) and memory (DRAM) upgrades are compatible with over 100,000 new and old desktops, laptops, workstations, and servers. Available worldwide at leading retail and e-tail stores, commercial resellers, and system integrators, Crucial products enhance system performance and user productivity. Learn more at crucial.com.
Micron Technology, Inc., is a global leader in advanced semiconductor systems. Micron's broad portfolio of high-performance memory technologies—including DRAM, NAND and NOR Flash—is the basis for solid state drives, modules, multichip packages and other system solutions. Backed by more than 35 years of technology leadership, Micron's memory solutions enable the world's most innovative computing, consumer, enterprise storage, networking, mobile, embedded and automotive applications. Micron's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit https://www.micron.com/.
Crucial MX300 750GB SSD Product Overview & Features
As a brand of Micron, one of the largest flash storage manufacturers in the world, the Crucial MX300 is backed by the same quality and innovation that has produced some of the world’s most advanced memory and storage technologies. With over a thousand hours of prerelease validation testing and hundreds of SSD qualification tests, the Crucial MX300 has been thoroughly tried, tested, and proven. You’ll notice the difference.
Crucial MX300 SSD: Instant performance that lasts, Groundbreaking 3D NAND technology that’s easy on your budget.
Increase the speed, durability, and efficiency of your system for years to come with the Crucial MX300 SSD. Boot up in seconds and fly through the most demanding applications with an SSD that fuses the latest 3D NAND flash technology with the proven success of previous MX-series SSDs. Your storage drive isn’t just a container, it’s the engine that loads and saves everything you do and use. Get more out of your computer by boosting nearly every aspect of performance.
Instantly improve system performance: The Crucial MX300 reaches read speeds up to 530 MB/s and write speeds up to 510 MB/s on all file types so you can boot up almost instantly, reduce load times, and accelerate demanding applications with ease. Plus, our Dynamic Write Acceleration technology uses an adaptable pool of high-speed, single-level cell flash memory to generate blistering speeds throughout the drive’s long life.
Over 90x more energy efficient than a typical hard drive: Extreme Energy Efficiency technology within the Crucial MX300 reduces the amount of active power usage that's consumed by the drive. The Crucial MX300 extends your laptop's battery life by using only 0.075W of power, compared to a typical hard drive which uses 6.8W.
Entrust your files to a drive that lasts: With an endurance rating of up to 220TB total bytes written, the Crucial MX300 is engineered with Micron® 3D NAND to deliver years of fast performance. The 3D NAND leverages larger NAND cells to improve performance and prolong endurance.
Protect your data with AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption, RAIN technology, Exclusive Data Defense technology, and the durability inherent in SSD design.
Keep your system cool: In addition to lower active power usage, Adaptive Thermal Protection technology dynamically adjusts storage component activity. This helps keep your system cool and minimizes the risk of damage caused by overheating.
Boost drive performance by up to 10x with Crucial Storage Executive: This downloadable tool is easy to use and helps monitor and enhance the performance of your Crucial MX300 – update to the latest firmware and enable the Momentum Cache feature in Storage Executive to instantly improve burst performance. Download the latest version here.
Crucial MX300 750GB SSD Product Highlights
- Sequential reads/writes up to 530 / 510 MB/s on all file types
- Random reads/writes up to 92k / 83k on all file types
- Over 90x more energy efficient than a typical hard drive
- Accelerated by Micron® 3D NAND technology
- Dynamic Write Acceleration delivers faster saves and file transfers
- More durable than a hard drive – no small moving parts that are prone to failure
- Best-in-class hardware encryption keeps data safe and secure
- Exclusive Data Defense guards against data corruption
- Adaptive Thermal Protection allows for adaptive cooling
- Power Loss Protection completes write commands even if power is lost
- Includes free Acronis® True Image™ HD software for easy data migration
- Compatible with the Crucial® Storage Executive tool for easy drive maintenance
- 3-year limited warranty
Crucial MX300 750GB SSD Product Specifications
First Impressions
The packaging of the Crucial MX300 Limited Edition 750GB 2.5" SSD is designed with simplicity and eco-friendliness in mind. The front of the package prominently features a large image of the SSD, drawing attention to the product itself. On the rear of the packaging, you will find a list of the contents included in the box. However, I must note that there is a lack of brief technical performance numbers on the box, which I find slightly disappointing. It seems that Crucial assumes that those who purchase the MX300 have already conducted their research and are familiar with the product's specifications.
The packaging is compact and consists of an outer paper shell and an internal plastic shell. This design effectively protects the SSD from any potential damage during transit. Additionally, inside the package, you will find a card for activating the Acronis True Image HD software, which is provided free of charge.
The bundle included with the Crucial MX300 is relatively minimalistic but provides essential components. Inside the package, you will find the SSD itself, which is the main focus of the bundle. Additionally, there is an activation card for Acronis True Image HD data migration software, allowing users to easily transfer their data to the new SSD.
To accommodate different device configurations, Crucial includes a 7mm to 9.5mm spacer, which enables the MX300 to be used in both Ultrabooks and regular-sized notebooks. However, it's worth noting that no SATA cable is included, so you will need to reuse your existing cable or purchase a new one separately.
While it would have been a nice addition, Crucial does not provide any PC case or laptop stickers with the MX300. The focus of the bundle is solely on providing the necessary components for installing and using the SSD efficiently.
Visual Overview
The Crucial MX300 750GB SSD utilizes a standard 2.5" form factor, which is commonly found in most SSDs available in the market. It is designed with a 7.5mm height, allowing it to fit seamlessly into ultrathin notebooks. Additionally, Crucial has included a plastic spacer measuring 7mm to 9.5mm, enabling the MX300 to be easily installed in regular-sized notebooks. This spacer is a thoughtful addition by Crucial, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of notebook configurations.
The Crucial MX300 features a brushed aluminum enclosure, giving it a professional and utilitarian appearance. Its design prioritizes functionality over flashy aesthetics. The SATA connector pins are gold plated, ensuring reliable and high-quality data transfer. On the top of the drive, you'll find the signature blue Crucial color scheme design, which adds a touch of branding. The backside of the MX300 features a plain white sticker that provides important information such as the model name, part number, serial number, power specification (5V 1.7A), as well as regulatory confirmations. The sticker also highlights that the product is made in Singapore and contains halogen-free components. It would have been beneficial if the sticker included some brief technical performance information.
The bottom of the MX300 is equipped with four screw holes on the sides, allowing for mounting using a 2.5" to 3.5" metal bracket if desired. Additionally, there are four additional screws at the bottom for mounting in other scenarios, providing flexibility in installation options.
Tearing it Down -- I mean opening it up :)
It's important to note that opening the Crucial MX300 SSD will void the 3-year warranty that accompanies the drive. However, for the purpose of this review, I have taken the responsibility of examining the internal components of the MX300 to provide a comprehensive overview.
Inside the Crucial MX300, I discovered that the brushed aluminum enclosure consists of two separate pieces, each with its own manufacturing date. One piece was stamped on 2016/04/19, while the other was stamped on 2016/04/24. Interestingly, one of the enclosure pieces has a bare inside surface, while the other features a circular residue. This residue is actually a thermal pad placed between the SSD controller chip and the enclosure, serving as a heatsink. The thermal pad allows the heat generated by the SSD controller to be efficiently transferred and dissipated across the surface of the aluminum panel, ensuring that the SSD remains as cool as possible during operation. This addition of a thermal pad by Crucial is noteworthy, as it is not commonly seen in other SSD designs I have reviewed in the past.
Upon careful inspection of the internal PCB of the Crucial MX300 Solid State Drive, I couldn't help but appreciate the meticulous arrangement of its components on the dark blue PCB. The eight Micron 3D NAND chips, Marvel SSD controller chip, and Micron cache memory chip are positioned in such a way that optimal efficiency and performance can be achieved. The spacious layout of the PCB not only allows for effective heat dissipation but also offers room for potential future advancements.
One notable aspect is the close proximity of the SSD controller to the gold plated SATA contact pins. This strategic placement minimizes signal latencies and ensures lightning-fast data transfer rates. By keeping the distance between the controller and the interface minimal, Crucial has made sure that the drive operates at its full potential, delivering exceptional speed and responsiveness.
Another interesting detail is the presence of a thermal pad that rests between the SSD controller chip and the brushed aluminum enclosure. This thoughtful addition acts as a heat conductor, facilitating the efficient dissipation of heat generated by the controller. It's worth mentioning that this is a rare feature to find in SSDs, and it demonstrates Crucial's commitment to maintaining optimal operating temperatures for their drives.
The Crucial MX300 incorporates eight Micron 3D NAND chips with the marking 6HB22NW852. These chips are 32-layer 3D NAND and have a capacity of 96GB each, resulting in a total raw capacity of 768GB. However, 18GB of this capacity is reserved for firmware functions and operations, including over-provisioning for wear leveling and bad block management.
One notable advantage of 3D NAND technology is its enhanced endurance. The MX300 750GB drive has an endurance rating of 220TB (Terabytes) Total Bytes Written (TBW), equivalent to writing 120GB per day for five years, to the 3D NAND chips. This highlights the drive's durability and ability to handle intensive write operations over an extended period.
The Micron cache memory chip featured in the MX300 is marked as F8116A3MA-DD-F. It consists of 1GB of LPDDR3 1333MHz memory, which aids in data caching and improving overall performance.
Driving the MX300 is the powerful Marvell 88SS1074-BSW2 SSD controller. This fifth-generation controller offers a range of features, including 256-bit AES encryption for data security, Error-Correcting Code (ECC) for data integrity, and low-density parity check (LDPC) technology for error detection and correction. It supports the SATA 3.2 6.0Gbps host interface, allowing for high-speed data transfer. The controller operates on a four-channel NAND interface, supporting up to eight devices per channel. Its utilization of 3D NAND technology and the 28nm CMOS process contributes to lower power consumption compared to competitors. Other notable features of the controller include dynamic write acceleration, power loss protection, TRIM support for efficient garbage collection, and more.
What is Micron's 3D NAND? (Explained by Micron)
3D NAND: The growing demands of mobile computing and data centers continue to drive the need for high-capacity, high-performance NAND flash technology. With planar NAND nearing its practical scaling limits, delivering to those requirements has become more difficult with each generation. Enter our 3D NAND technology, which uses an innovative process architecture to provide 3X the capacity of planar NAND technologies while providing better performance and reliability.
System designers who build products like laptops, mobile devices and servers can take advantage of 3D NAND’s unprecedented performance to meet the rising data movement needs for businesses and consumers.
How Our 3D NAND Works: We’re the first to employ floating gate cell technology in 3D NAND—a proven cell technology that enables better performance, quality, and reliability. We stack 32 storage tiers to achieve the highest-capacity NAND die available today: 256Gb multilevel cell (MLC) and 384Gb triple-level cell (TLC) 3D NAND.
This vertical approach lets us expand the size of each 3D NAND cell—the lithography is actually larger than our latest planar NAND. The larger NAND cells improve both performance and endurance to the point where we expect our MLC 3D NAND parts will meet or exceed the endurance rates of our 20nm NAND—and our TLC 3D NAND will better satisfy demanding data center storage applications.
Benefits to Your Innovation
Our 3D NAND solutions will help bring significant performance, power, and capacity advantages to your storage application. 3D NAND lets you:
Pack in More Capacity
Get 3 times the capacity of existing planar NAND products—enough to enable 3.5TB gum stick-sized SSDs or more than 10TB in standard 2.5-inch SSDs.
Boost Performance
Achieve significantly higher read/write bandwidth and I/O speeds, as well as improved random read performance, thanks to our 3D NAND’s fast 4K read mode.
Save Power
Reduce power consumption significantly in standby mode thanks to 3D NAND’s new sleep mode features that cut power to inactive NAND die (even when other die in the same package are active).
Micron and Intel Unveil New 3D NAND Flash Memory (Press Release)
Technology Advancements Enable Three Times More Capacity than Other NAND Technologies
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
3D NAND technology uses floating gate cells and enables the highest-density flash device ever developed-three times higher capacity than other NAND die in production.
Enables gum stick-sized SSDs with more than 3.5 terabytes (TB) of storage and standard 2.5-inch SSDs with greater than 10TB
Innovative process architecture techniques extend Moore's Law for flash storage, bringing significant improvements in density while lowering the cost of NAND flash.
Micron/Intel 3D NAND Press Release
BOISE, Idaho and SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 26, 2015 - Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), and Intel Corporation today revealed the availability of their 3D NAND technology, the world's highest-density flash memory. Flash is the storage technology used inside the lightest laptops, fastest data centers, and nearly every cellphone, tablet and mobile device.
This new 3D NAND technology, which was jointly developed by Intel and Micron, stacks layers of data storage cells vertically with extraordinary precision to create storage devices with three times higher capacity than competing NAND technologies. This enables more storage in a smaller space, bringing significant cost savings, low power usage and high performance to a range of mobile consumer devices as well as the most demanding enterprise deployments.
Planar NAND flash memory is nearing its practical scaling limits, posing significant challenges for the memory industry. 3D NAND technology is poised to make a dramatic impact by keeping flash storage solutions aligned with Moore's Law, the trajectory for continued performance gains and cost savings, driving more widespread use of flash storage.
"Micron and Intel's collaboration has created an industry-leading solid-state storage technology that offers high density, performance and efficiency and is unmatched by any flash today," said Brian Shirley, vice president of Memory Technology and Solutions at Micron Technology. "This 3D NAND technology has the potential to create fundamental market shifts. The depth of the impact that flash has had to date-from smartphones to flash-optimized supercomputing-is really just scratching the surface of what's possible."
"Intel's development efforts with Micron reflect our continued commitment to offer leading and innovative non-volatile memory technologies to the marketplace," said Rob Crooke, senior vice president and general manager, Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group, Intel Corporation. "The significant improvements in density and cost enabled by our new 3D NAND technology innovation will accelerate solid-state storage in computing platforms."
Innovative Process Architecture
One of the most significant aspects of this technology is in the foundational memory cell itself. Intel and Micron chose to use a floating gate cell, a universally utilized design refined through years of high-volume planar flash manufacturing. This is the first use of a floating gate cell in 3D NAND, which was a key design choice to enable greater performance and increase quality and reliability.
The new 3D NAND technology stacks flash cells vertically in 32 layers to achieve 256Gb multilevel cell (MLC) and 384Gb triple-level cell (TLC) die that fit within a standard package. These capacities can enable gum stick-sized SSDs with more than 3.5TB of storage and standard 2.5-inch SSDs with greater than 10TB. Because capacity is achieved by stacking cells vertically, the individual cell dimensions can be considerably larger. This is expected to increase both performance and endurance and make even the TLC designs well-suited for data center storage.
The key product features of this 3D NAND design include:
Large Capacities -Three times the capacity of existing 3D technology1-up to 48GB of NAND per die-enabling three-fourths of a terabyte to fit in a single fingertip-sized package.
Reduced Cost per GB - First-generation 3D NAND is architected to achieve better cost efficiencies than planar NAND.
Fast - High read/write bandwidth, I/O speeds and random read performance.
Green - New sleep modes enable low-power use by cutting power to inactive NAND die (even when other die in the same package are active), dropping power consumption significantly in standby mode.
Smart - Innovative new features improve latency and increase endurance over previous generations, and also make system integration easier.
The 256Gb MLC version of 3D NAND is sampling with select partners today, and the 384Gb TLC design will be sampling later this spring. The fab production line has already begun initial runs, and both devices will be in full production by the fourth quarter of this year. Both companies are also developing individual lines of SSD solutions based on 3D NAND technology and expect those products to be available within the next year.
Performance Benchmarks
Here's a listing of the benchmark testing applications you'll see in this review...
- ATTO Disk Benchmark
- AS SSD Benchmark
- Anvil's Storage Utilities
- AIDA64
- CrystalDiskMark
- HD Tune
- HD Tach
- TeraCopy (non-benchmark)
ATTO Disk Benchmark is a well-established and reliable application used to test the raw data transfer performance of a drive. It is known for providing consistent and steady results, making it a preferred benchmark for establishing a baseline score of maximum throughput performance. Many SSD manufacturers use ATTO Disk Benchmark to showcase their drives' maximum sequential read/write speeds due to its reliability. It is important to note that the numbers obtained from this benchmark represent the best-case scenario and may vary depending on the system configuration.
Other benchmarks used in this review, such as Anvil's Storage Utilities, AS SSD, and CrystalDiskMark, test the drive's performance using incompressible data, unless otherwise specified by the benchmark application itself. It is worth mentioning that certain SSD drive controllers may perform differently when handling incompressible data, which can result in variations between the numbers obtained from ATTO Disk Benchmark and other benchmarks. If there is a significant difference in the results, it can indicate the strength or weakness of a particular SSD drive controller when it comes to reading or writing incompressible or compressible data. This information can provide insights into the performance characteristics of a specific SSD.
Performance Benchmarks - The Results
By the time I had finished testing the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD, I had written over 1000 GB of data to the drive. I obtained this information from CrystalDiskInfo, which provided detailed insights into the drive's usage. It's quite impressive to see that such a significant amount of data was written within just 19 hours of power-on time and 21 power-on counts. This indicates that the drive has undergone a substantial workload during the testing process.
With the help of Crucial Storage Executive software, I took the necessary steps to ensure that the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD was up to date by updating it to the latest firmware, which was M0CR040 at the time of this review. This ensured that the drive was running on the most optimized and stable firmware version available.
Before conducting any testing, I performed a fresh installation of Windows 7 Professional SP1 on the MX300 SSD. This ensured a clean and standardized testing environment for accurate and consistent results.
Throughout this review, I will present the performance results in three different states. The first state involves testing the drive straight out of the box, with the Momentum Cache feature disabled. This represents the default configuration that most users are likely to have when using the SSD.
In the second state, I enabled the Momentum Cache feature through the Crucial Storage Executive software. This feature is designed to enhance the drive's performance by utilizing system memory as a cache.
Lastly, I conducted tests with the MX300 SSD when it was 81% filled with data. This allowed me to observe any potential changes in performance when the drive had a significant amount of data stored on it, compared to its performance in a relatively empty state.
By examining the drive's performance in these different states, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities and how it performs under varying conditions.
Without Momentum Cache
With Momentum Cache
81% Filled Drive
In summary, the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD, powered by Marvell and featuring Micron's 3D NAND technology, has demonstrated exceptional performance in our tests. It surpasses the rated sequential read speed of 530MB/s and sequential write speed of 510 MB/s in both ATTO Disk Benchmarks and CrystalDiskMark.
In the ATTO Disk Benchmark, the MX300 achieved a maximum sequential read speed of 534 MB/s and a maximum sequential write speed of 516 MB/s in our testing configuration. These results indicate excellent performance and surpass the expected speeds.
AS SSD Benchmark, known for showcasing worst-case performance scenarios, did not reveal any disadvantages for the MX300. It exhibited high overall scores, with the MX300 achieving the highest score of 1044. While it was outperformed by the SLC NAND-based KingFast E-Drive KF2510SCF in the write portion of the test, the MX300 excelled in access times and demonstrated a significant advantage in the 4K-64Thrd benchmark.
Anvil's Storage Utilities benchmark further highlighted the superiority of the Crucial MX300 750GB with Micron's 3D NAND technology over the more expensive SLC NAND-based SSD solution, such as the KingFast KF2510SCF.
In CrystalDiskMark, the MX300 achieved impressive sequential read speeds of 533.8 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 515.4 MB/s for the 0-Fill compressible test. In the incompressible test, it achieved a sequential read speed of 524.3 MB/s and a sequential write speed of 513.4 MB/s.
One notable strength of the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD with 3D NAND is its ability to maintain a higher average read/write speed over both short and extended periods of time. It outperforms other SSDs, including SLC-based drives, by a significant margin. Tests such as AIDA64, HD Tune, and HD Tach consistently show that the MX300 ramps up in speed at the beginning of the test and then maintains a nearly straight line across the entire duration. Its average speed remains closer to the maximum observed speed rather than the minimum observed speed. This level of consistency and performance is impressive and sets the MX300 apart.
In terms of real-world testing, I used TeraCopy to copy my C:\Windows folder, which consists of a mix of small, medium, and large files. The Crucial MX300 750GB SSD completed the copy of 24.39 GB or 107,346 files in 10 minutes and 11 seconds. This test provides a practical comparison for evaluating the effectiveness of the Momentum Cache feature, which can be enabled through Crucial Storage Executive software.
In my experience reviewing SSDs, I haven't found significant benefits from using DRAM caching software. The performance gains often appear inflated in benchmarks but don't translate into noticeable advantages in real-world usage. While caching software can reduce strain on the SSD and potentially enhance endurance, Micron's 3D NAND already offers good endurance on its own. Therefore, I question the necessity of using caching software in this case. Additionally, Momentum Cache within the Crucial Storage Executive suite can only be used if the MX300 is the primary boot device.
I'm generally not a fan of caching software, and my opinion hasn't changed with the introduction of Momentum Cache. In fact, in the TeraCopy test mentioned earlier, enabling Momentum Cache actually resulted in a slower performance by four seconds compared to having it completely turned off. Throughout the benchmark tests, Momentum Cache inflated the results significantly, but in reality, it didn't improve performance. Looking at the benchmarks, the performance advantage provided by Momentum Cache is sporadic, with bursts of increase for a few seconds followed by a massive drop-off. Running a benchmark like HD Tach showed that the average read speed became worse (nearly 60 MB/s worse) with Momentum Cache enabled compared to when it was disabled.
Before I wrap up, here's what Crucial has to say about Momentum Cache...
What is Momentum Cache? (Explained by Micron)
Micron's Momentum Cache is an intelligent software driver that dynamically leverages unused system resources to enhance burst performance on supported Micron and Crucial solid state drives (SSDs) in Windows operating systems. Momentum Cache is not restricted by SATA bus throughput limitations; instead, it uses additional DRAM bandwidth to achieve increased burst performance.
How Does Momentum Cache Work?
As a software driver installed on Windows operating systems,1 Momentum Cache manages all writes and reads between a supported SSD and the system. It optimizes input/ output (I/O) data by caching the data in system memory and then committing it to the SSD at a consistent rate when additional bandwidth is available. SSDs typically have higher read performance than write performance. This is especially apparent in lower-density drives containing smaller amounts of NAND die accessed in parallel. Momentum Cache addresses this inefficiency by caching nearly all writes being transferred to the SSD. The writes are transferred from the cache to the SSD during periods of lower drive activity, providing a buffer to spread intense workloads over time and enabling improved burst performance. Momentum Cache addresses other limitations in SSD design. When system memory is available, Momentum Cache coalesces smaller write transfers into larger transfers to reduce the impact of small random writes on the NAND. Small transfer random writes have the greatest impact on the endurance of NAND in an SSD. Additionally, Momentum Cache reduces wear on an SSD by filtering repetitive data written to the drive.
Continuing on...
When the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD is filled with data, specifically at 81% capacity, its read performance remains nearly identical in some cases, with only a slight drop-off in average read speed observed in other benchmarks. The impact on read performance is minimal, and users would be hard-pressed to notice any significant differences in real-world usage.
However, there is a slight change in sequential write performance when the drive is filled to 81% capacity. The sequential write speeds may experience a slight decrease, but it is important to note that this drop-off in performance is not extreme. The MX300 still performs well overall, and the difference in sequential write speed is unlikely to have a significant impact on everyday usage.
Crucial Storage Executive Software
Crucial's Storage Executive software suite provides a range of useful features for managing the Crucial MX300 SSD. It offers comprehensive system information, allows users to monitor the health, temperature, and S.M.A.R.T. status of their SSD, and facilitates firmware updates for the drive. Additionally, users can adjust the Over Provisioning limit, sanitize the SSD to restore it to factory state, and reset the drive's encryption password. The software also includes the option to enable or disable the Momentum Cache feature.
Updating the MX300's firmware through Crucial Storage Executive is a straightforward process. The software automatically downloads the firmware, initiates a reboot into its own OS environment, and successfully updates the firmware within a few minutes.
When all testing is completed, Crucial Storage Executive software provides the option to sanitize the SSD, effectively performing a secure erase that wipes all data on the drive and restores it to its original state.
One minor drawback of the software is that certain operations, such as accessing the Over Provisioning page, may occasionally result in longer loading times, leaving users waiting for the process to complete. It is hoped that future iterations of Storage Executive will improve processing speed and reduce such waiting times.
Where Can I Buy One? And For How Much?
The Crucial MX300 750GB 3D NAND SSD is conveniently available for purchase on Amazon USA. When you choose to shop on Amazon, you can rest assured that your order will be fulfilled and shipped directly from Amazon's own warehouse, eliminating the need to rely on third-party sellers. This provides a safer purchasing experience, as you can benefit from Amazon's reliable service, customer protection, and peace of mind. By opting for Amazon, you can enjoy the convenience of a trusted platform and the confidence of receiving the genuine product you ordered.
There are several reasons why I appreciate Amazon as a platform for shopping. First and foremost, their speed of service is impressive, ensuring that orders are delivered promptly. Additionally, their commitment to honesty and reliability sets them apart. In fact, I had a personal experience where Amazon proactively refunded me for overcharged duty costs, demonstrating their integrity as a company. Their customer-oriented approach is further reflected in their excellent return policy, providing convenience and peace of mind to shoppers.
If you are considering purchasing the Crucial MX300 750GB 3D NAND SSD or any other products, I kindly encourage you to use the Amazon links provided above. By doing so, you can greatly assist us in supporting this website and contribute to any future contests we may organize through platforms like Facebook. Your support is immensely valued and appreciated.
Some Amazon Deals That May Interest You!
Conclusion
In my opinion, the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD with Micron's 3D NAND deserves high praise and recognition. It has proven itself to be an exceptional SSD with a multitude of positive attributes. The endurance provided by the 3D NAND technology ensures its long-lasting performance. The MX300 exhibits impressive overall performance, whether it's in terms of read or write speeds. It has even demonstrated performance levels on par with SLC NAND-based SandForce SSDs designed for enterprise use. Notably, the MX300 excels in handling both incompressible and compressible data, eliminating any performance discrepancies that other drives may encounter. Furthermore, its affordability makes it an attractive option, particularly when it goes on sale at a significantly reduced price on platforms like Amazon.
Considering all these factors, I confidently award the Crucial MX300 750GB SSD with Micron's 3D NAND our top Editor's Choice Award rating. It has proven to be a standout performer in its category.
