Boosting SSD Performance Significant Gains Through Overclocking, but Beware of Potential Risks to Controller and NAND
Ever wondered how to take the best SSDs to the next level? Well, the answer is overclocking. Gabriel Ferraz, a YouTuber and hardware enthusiast, explores the world of pushing SSD performance beyond its limits, documenting the entire process for curious minds.
Driven by curiosity, Ferraz dives into the overclocking journey, dealing with certain limitations and restrictions. The video is an intriguing showcase of the SSD selection process and the resulting performance.
For this experiment, Ferraz opts for the RZX Pro 240GB DRAM-Less SATA-based SSD, steering clear of NVMe SSDs that already operate at peak potential. The chosen SSD features a Silicon Motion SM2259XT2 controller, a key player in the overclocking game. This controller, originally clocked at 425 MHz, has a single-core ARC 32-bit CPU with a max speed of 550 MHz. The SSD also houses a specific 96-layer Kioxia TLC BiCS4 256Gb NAND.
The intricate process involves using Mass Production Tools to program the SSD with compatible firmware, fine-tuning settings for optimal performance. Despite potential risks like voiding warranties, Ferraz manages to stabilize the controller at 500 MHz, a 17.6% increase, while the NAND gets a whopping 106% boost to 400 MHz.
The benchmarks using CrystalDisk Mark, 3DMark, and PCMark 10 reveal interesting results. Sequential read/write doesn't see a boost due to SATA III limitations, but a decrease in latency is noted. Random read and write performance, however, show a significant 27% and 10% increase, respectively. Despite these gains, Adobe Premiere Pro 2021, game loading times, and a 6.20 GB ZIP file transfer don't witness any notable improvements.
Temperature-wise, the overclocked SSD operates at 45 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than the stock 40 degrees Celsius. The overclocked drive also sees an increase in max power draw from 1.16 to 2.01 watts, resulting in lower efficiency. Surprisingly, the SSD meets its demise after the barrage of benchmarks.
In the end, Ferraz's experiment proves a point: with the right tools and knowledge, anything with a clock speed can be overclocked. While not every SSD will reach its maximum clock speed due to various factors, this endeavor showcases the potential of pushing boundaries at home using simple tools. The key lies in the intimate knowledge of selecting the right SSD, components, and tools, coupled with the expertise to navigate the intricate world of settings.
