SSD by stefan @ 2024-01-01
ANACOMDA is making a nice proposal with the Phison PS5018 E18 controller, paired with 1GB DDR4 2666MHz DRAM for caching, while the NAND is Toshiba 112L BiCS5 TLC (four packages). The performance matches mainstream to high-end drives, while providing optimal performance after writing about 1TB of data (a part of the pseudoSLC will empty itself when the drive is in IDLE, so the write speed will be able to recover).
At first we would like to thank ANACOMDA for sending us a sample of their i4-X 4TB PCIe Gen4 2280 M.2 SSD for testing and reviewing.
“ANACOMDA is a new brand from MINPO Corporation. MINPO is a global leader in SSD technology, and specializes in developing and producing high performance SSDs and USBs. Our products are designed to meet customer’s needs in both price and function. Our entry-level products are priced reasonably, but offer high quality and aesthetically pleasing designs.
Controlling the cost of computer facilities and purchasing technological equipment are important matters for SMEs, start-ups, and organizations, but it should not prevent them from adopting SSDs. The MINPO ANACOMDA SSD series with its reliable quality, ample storage, and faster operating speed, is the best option for corporations that possess considerable data.
The MINPO ANACOMDA SSD series is also suitable for individuals who are new to SSD technology, beginner and intermediate-level DIY enthusiasts who want to try their hand at assembling SSD, as well as online gamers. MINPO understand very well DIYers’ need for more efficient storage, and that for most customers, the cost-performance ratio is the most important factor when considering an electronic purchase. Our ANACOMDA series aims to offer higher quality SSDs for the same price. The concept behind ANACOMDA is high quality at accessible prices, without compromising performance and durability.
Besides reasonable pricing and reliable quality, ANACOMDA offers additional values to customers such as pleasurable enjoyment, brand value, and high quality services. We believe that a brand should not simply sell products, it should also be an expression of taste, and offer a glimpse into one’s lifestyle.”
Latest high-speed PCIe Gen4 x4 interface
Read Speed Up to 7000/MB/s
I4-X implements latest high-speed PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, it complies with NVMe 1.4 protocol, supports SLC Caching and DRAM Cache Buffer, the Read and Write speed is up to 7000 / 7000MB/s (2000GB).
?Performance may vary based on hardware, software and the benchmark used.
Built for the gamer new revolution
New Generation Controller with 3D TLC NAND FLASH, the biggest capacity is up to 8TB. The incredible read speed is 2.5 time faster than i3, it is built for a new gaming experience.
Aluminum think heatspreader design for PS5 console
ANACOMDA heatsink is made of aluminum alloy material with graphite copper foil patch on it. Compare to SSD without Heatsink, it can cool down up to 10 degree Celsius. Its thin design is also perfect for being installed in a PS5 console.
Stability and security
I4-X supports LDPC error correcting code technology, Wear Leveling technique and TRIM to protect its data security and SSD stability. I4-X comes with ANACOMDA 5-year warranty.
- PCIe Gen 4x4NVMe SSD
- PCIe High-speed interface
- Compliant with NVMe1.4
- Read/ write up to 7000/7000 MB/s (2TB,4TB,8TB)
- 3D TLC NAND FLASH
- 5-year warranty
*SSD provides Warranty Period or TBW Warranty base on which occurs first.
Dimensions : 80*22*2.2mm
Interface?PCIe Gen 4 x 4 NVMe
Capacity?1000GB/2000GB
NAND Flash : 3D TLC NAND FLASH
Weight : 11g
Operation Voltage : DC 3.3V +/- 5%
Shock Resistance : 1500G (@0.5ms half sine wave)
MTBF : 1,600,000 hrs
Operating Temperature : 0 – 70 degrees Celsius
Storage Temperature : -40 – 85 degrees Celsius
Operating Humidity : 10%-90% RH(0 - 40 degrees Celsius)
Storage Humidity : 5-95% RH (0 - 40 degrees Celsius)
ANACOMDA brand is owned by MINPO Corporation, a global leader itself in SSD technology, being mainly specialized in development and production of both storage and memory. We have been recently contacted by the company in order to take a look at their products and one of these is the M.2 2280 i4-X PCIe 4.0 SSD with 4TB capacity. This model is packing an integrated heatspreader, with rated speeds of 7000MB/s regarding both reads and writes.
The drive is shipped inside a small cardboard enclosure, with a blue/black color scheme; in the frontal area, ANACOMDA has included a list of product highlights, but also a photo of the main product:
On the back, we will learn that the i4-X is available with capacities of 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB, but we will also note the company address, along with the serial number:
After removing the top packaging layer, we will observe that the drive sits secure inside a transparent plastic mold:
The i4-X does come with a thicker heatsink when compared to other drives we have tested in the past, similar to the ones used on DRAM. The subtle ANACOMDA logo can be spotted in the middle, on a black background:
The thermal pad is strongly glued to the components, hence we needed to find another solution for checking out “under the hood”. By running a dedicated Phison identification utility, we learned that the drive is equipped with a PS5018-E18 controller, the caching is done on a 1GB DDR4 2666MHz IC, while the NAND is Toshiba 112L BiCS5 TLC:
On the back, we will note a large sticker with the drive power rating, the capacity but also some serial numbers:
The test system did incorporate a AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 6-core CPU, a Sabrent Rocket 2x16GB DDR5 4800MHz C40 memory kit, a PowerColor Red Dragon Radeon RX 5700 video card but also a Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus NVMe 4.0 2TB SSD; all these were connected to the BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE AM5 motherboard. As a power supply we have chosen a Cooler Master 850W non-modular and the system was running the latest Windows 11 OS build as well.
The drive has arrived unformatted, but for testing purposes, we have formatted it NTFS:
With the help of AIDA64, we could extract more information regarding the drive:
Quick System Drive Benchmark
Blank SSD
Quick System Drive Benchmark
Blank SSD
Blank SSD
Before starting our second stage of tests, we needed to fill the drive over 50% with data; during this time we have also monitored the transfer speeds and controller temperature; the starting temperature was optimal, at 37 degrees Celsius:
The writes began at good rates as well:
We have had a small spike in temperature, to about 47 degrees Celsius:
We noted a small drop in performance after 260GB of data written:
The highest drop in write rates did manifest after writing about 420GB of data, which is good for a mainstream PCIe 4.0 drive:
At this point, the controller temperature was 67 degrees Celsius, still at safe levels:
Surprisingly, the drive was able to recover after having written about 600GB of data!
The secondary sharp drop appeared after no less than 1TB of data written!
By this time, the controller temp has reached about 75 degrees Celsius:
Till reaching over 50% of data written, the speed did hover between 740MB/s and 850MB/s, which is good for many applications!
The maximum controller temperature has reached 77 degrees Celsius:
Quick System Drive Benchmark
Filled SSD
Quick System Drive Benchmark
Filled SSD
Filled SSD
Filled SSD
ANACOMDA is making a nice proposal with the Phison PS5018 E18 controller, paired with 1GB DDR4 2666MHz DRAM for caching, while the NAND is Toshiba 112L BiCS5 TLC (four packages). The performance matches mainstream to high-end drives, while providing optimal performance after writing about 1TB of data (a part of the pseudoSLC will empty itself when the drive is in IDLE, so the write speed will be able to recover). The included heatspreader does succeed to keep the drive temperatures at optimal levels, but this will only happen if a healthy amount of airflow is provided in the vicinity as well!
In our HD Tune write tests, it will be shown how the drive can perform before and after the drive gets some part of the pSLC cache filled; since we are talking about TLC and not QLC, even when writing directly to the TLC portion, we will get good transfer rates and the durability is much superior to the cheaper QLC NAND:
The ANACOMDA i4-X 4TB drive is now available on Newegg for about $242 and is also bundled with a special deal.
We would like to thank again to ANACOMDA for making this review possible!