Phison’s E37T: Redefining Performance with a DRAMless Controller
At recent industry events, Phison presented significant advancements in SSD controller technology. The centerpiece of this unveiling is the PS5037-E37T, a novel approach to mainstream and high-performance SSD design. This controller distinguishes itself through its absence of onboard DRAM, positioning it as a compelling option for demanding applications.
The E37T supports form factors including M.2-2280, 2242, and 2230, accommodating a diverse range of SSD deployments. Built on the TSMC 6nm foundry node, this controller boasts an energy-efficient design crucial for notebook applications where power consumption is paramount. Initial testing demonstrates impressive performance figures, with sequential reads reaching up to 14.7 GB/s and sequential writes peaking at 13 GB/s. Furthermore, during read/write operations, the E37T maintains a peak power draw of under 2.3W.
A comprehensive CDM (CrystalDiskMark) session revealed impressive results: 14925 MB/s for reads, 13115 MB/s for writes, and 8676 MB/s in mixed workloads. These metrics place the E37T controller on par with previous flagship models like the E26 Max14um revision, highlighting Phison’s continued focus on delivering top-tier performance.
The PS5028-E28: Leveraging DDR4 for Enhanced Random Writes
Complementing the E37T is the PS5028-E28, a controller designed for high-capacity SSDs up to 8TB. This controller incorporates DDR4 DRAM cache, strategically employed to optimize random write performance – a critical factor in many modern workloads.
Under controlled conditions, a fully loaded 8 TB reference SSD achieved sequential reads of 14919 MB/s and sequential writes of 14008 MB/s. The E28 pushes the boundaries of PCI-Express 5.0 x4 interface capabilities, accounting for inherent overhead. Notably, the controller’s peak R/W power consumption is limited to 4.5W, a significant achievement that allows for sustained performance even with passive heatsinks – eliminating the need for complex active cooling solutions.
Key Features & Performance Highlights
- PS5037-E37T:
- DRAMless Design
- TSMC 6nm Fabrication
- 4 NAND Flash Channels
- Sequential Reads: Up to 14.7 GB/s
- Sequential Writes: Up to 13 GB/s
- IOPS (4K): Up to 2 million Reads / 2 Million Writes
- Peak Power: Under 2.3W
- PS5028-E28:
- DDR4 DRAM Cache
- PCIe 5.0 x4 Support
- Sequential Reads: Up to 14919 MB/s
- Sequential Writes: Up to 14008 MB/s
- IOPS (4K): Up to 2.6 Million Reads, 3 Million Writes
- Peak Power: 4.5W
Phison’s advancements in both the E37T and E28 controllers represent a significant step forward in SSD technology, offering compelling solutions for a range of applications from high-performance gaming to demanding enterprise workloads.
