Looking for a cheap SSD with DRAM Cache

[canned_peaches]

Trying to find an NVME SSD that has a DRAM cache. I heard they're faster at stuff (not sure exactly what).

 

I would prefer for the SSD to be gen 4, but gen 3 is fine.

[GuiltySpark_]

17 minutes ago, canned_peaches said:

I heard they're faster at stuff (not sure exactly what).

Real world for all but the most demanding workstation and enterprise tasks, this is not true, and hasn't been since the NVMe spec included Host Memory Buffer. 

 

Its an outdated way of thinking, putting importance on a DRAM cache for home/gaming systems. What you "heard" was possibly from the standpoint of heavy workstation users or possibly even someone who hasn't kept up with technology and is thinking of how it was back in the SATA SSD days. Back then, a DRAM cache was super important. Today it doesn't matter for 95% of users. 

 

As for being "faster at stuff", if you're put in front of a PC with an older SATA drive and then one with a new Gen5 drive, going about your normal business, loading applications, loading screens in games, you're most likely never going to tell the difference. So, this idea of "stuff" being faster is a nice thought, but its not really reality. 

 

If you want something that's usually well priced with DRAM, WD's SN850x is great. I'm happy with my DRAM-less WD SN770's as I understand the HMB tech and realize paying extra for DRAM offers no benefit to me.

[canned_peaches]

1 hour ago, GuiltySpark_ said:

Real world for all but the most demanding workstation and enterprise tasks, this is not true, and hasn't been since the NVMe spec included Host Memory Buffer. 

 

Its an outdated way of thinking, putting importance on a DRAM cache for home/gaming systems. What you "heard" was possibly from the standpoint of heavy workstation users or possibly even someone who hasn't kept up with technology and is thinking of how it was back in the SATA SSD days. Back then, a DRAM cache was super important. Today it doesn't matter for 95% of users. 

 

As for being "faster at stuff", if you're put in front of a PC with an older SATA drive and then one with a new Gen5 drive, going about your normal business, loading applications, loading screens in games, you're most likely never going to tell the difference. So, this idea of "stuff" being faster is a nice thought, but its not really reality. 

 

If you want something that's usually well priced with DRAM, WD's SN850x is great. I'm happy with my DRAM-less WD SN770's as I understand the HMB tech and realize paying extra for DRAM offers no benefit to me.

Oh, ok then! Some people on the LTT forums have been recommending me to use NVMEs with DRAM caches so I was a little misinformed there. Thanks!

[GuiltySpark_]

1 minute ago, canned_peaches said:

Oh, ok then! Some people on the LTT forums have been recommending me to use NVMEs with DRAM caches so I was a little misinformed there. Thanks!

There are plenty of people that do but its from a history of when it was an important factor. Its just not anymore. Modern drives with modern OSes that support HMB have made it an unnecessary expense. 

[canned_peaches]

20 minutes ago, GuiltySpark_ said:

There are plenty of people that do but its from a history of when it was an important factor. Its just not anymore. Modern drives with modern OSes that support HMB have made it an unnecessary expense. 

Alright then. I have on more question. Are there any 1 TB NVMEs that support HMB that you would recommend?

[Ryker Robb]

1 hour ago, canned_peaches said:

I have on more question. Are there any 1 TB NVMEs that support HMB that you would recommend?

The wd black sn770 is a good one. That's what i'm using right now.

[canned_peaches]

2 hours ago, Ryker Robb said:

The wd black sn770 is a good one. That's what i'm using right now.

I'll try to squeeze it in my pc build if I can

[kokosnh]

Sn770 1TB is quite expensive, usually you can buy good SSD with DRAM in similar price... 

 

Like TEAMGROUP Cardea A440 1 TB  (Phison E18 + DDR4 + 96l TLC micron) ( depends where you are located )

 

If you want cheap good Dramless SSD, Look for SN580 1TB ( the same hardware as SN770 1TB ) 

The same controller, and the same 112l TLC kioxia NAND ( just some FW changes to lower performance for product positioning )  

 

 

[Ryker Robb]

22 minutes ago, kokosnh said:

Sn770 1TB is quite expensive, usually you can buy good SSD with DRAM in similar price... 

The price went up on them unfortunately, i was able to get mine for $60, which was one of the cheaper options at the time. 

[kokosnh]

2 hours ago, Ryker Robb said:

The price went up on them unfortunately, i was able to get mine for $60, which was one of the cheaper options at the time. 

SN580 1TB was for 40$ on Amazon for first couple weeks not anymore... 

[GuiltySpark_]

NAND flash prices are up right now. Just the way it is.