Micron released the latest 5210 ION series of enterprise-class SSDs today, using a new generation of QLC NAND flash memory chips jointly developed by Micron and Intel. This is also the world's first QLC flash memory product.
According to the storage method, NAND flash memory has been developed for four generations:
The first-generation SLC can store 1 bit of data per cell (1 bit/cell). It has good performance, long life, and can withstand 100,000 program/erase cycles. However, its low capacity and high cost are very rare nowadays.
The second-generation MLC can store 2 bits per cell (2bits/cell). The performance, lifespan, and capacity are evenly balanced. It can withstand 10,000 program/erase cycles. Now only a few high-end SSDs can be seen. ;
The third-generation TLC can store 3 bits per cell (3 bits/cell). Its performance and lifetime are degraded. It can only withstand 3,000 program/erase cycles, but the capacity can be made larger and the cost can be lower. Currently most popular;
The fourth-generation QLC can store 4 bits per cell (4 bits/cell). The performance and lifetime are further deteriorated. It can only withstand 1000 program/erase cycles, but the capacity is more easily increased and the cost continues to decrease.
Intel and Micron's QLC NAND flash memory particles have previously achieved 64-layer stacking, single Die 512Gb (64GB) large capacity, is now announced 64-stack, single Die 1Tb (128GB), which is still the first in flash memory history Times.
At the same time benefit from Four-layer structure (Before two layers), I/O commands can be parallelized to make up for the loss of performance caused by large capacity, and there'sCMOS array '(CMOS under the array) design, although the circuit design increases, but does not lead to an increase in the kernel area too much.
The Micron 5210 ION series is the standard 2.5-inch SATA specification, with a capacity of 1.92TB at the start, and a maximum of 7.68TB. , Reflects the large capacity advantages of QLC flash memory.
The master is unchanged or Marvell 88SS1074, the firmware is written by Micron himself , But performance indicators have not been announced (and certainly not much better).
The life expectation is lower than the current 5200 ECO series, that is Write less than once a day, combined with 1,000 programming/erasing cycles, the actual number of writes per day should be only 0.5 times. In other words, it is not bad to write a full disk in two days.
Although this is still 0.3 times more than the vast majority of today's 3D TLC SATA SSDs, it is an enterprise-class product that fully shows the vulnerability of QLC.
Therefore, Micron recommends the 5210 ION series for reading intensive applications with a read load of at least 90% , such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, real-time analysis, big data, media streaming, etc.
If you write only 0.1 times a day (10 days full), maintaining a 5-year warranty period is not a problem.
The Micron 5210 ION series has already begun shipping to specific customers. It will be listed on a large scale this fall. The specific performance and price will be announced at that time.
In addition, Intel and Micron also announced that they have completed the third generation of 96-layer stacking 3D flash memory, which will bring the highest unit area capacity in the industry.
