TRIM Performance:
While SSD's offer many benefits, there are some downsides to using flash memory. One of the biggest issues people run into is performance degradation. Over time, an SSD will run out of fresh blocks and will have to write over data the file system has marked as deleted. This procedure is very complicated and can slow an SSD's write speeds considerably.
To fix this problem, most manufacturers have added TRIM support to their SSDs. The TRIM command allows an operating system, such as Windows 10, to tell an SSD which data blocks are no longer in use. Using this information, the drive pro-actively erases these blocks and adds them to the free block pool.
To test the Elite SE880's TRIM and garbage collection functions, I first put the drive in a "dirty" state. I used Iometer to fill 80% of the drive and then ran a random write test for 30 minutes. This had little impact on the Elite SE880's read speed. However, its average writing speed dropped to 141.79 MB/s.
ADATA Elite SE880 - Dirty
To see how well the Elite SE880 could recover, I let the computer sit for about 30 minutes and then reran the test. The drive wasn't able to reach the factory fresh performance shown in our earlier tests. However, its sequential write speed jumped up to 1701.79 MB/s.
ADATA Elite SE880 - After TRIM
Unfortunately, the Elite SE880 does not support the secure erase function so I was not able to wipe the drive with Parted Magic. Instead, I did a quick wipe and format from within Windows. After this, the Elite SE880 was able to read at 1888.14 MB/s and write at 1701.48 MB/s.
ADATA Elite SE880 - Secure Erased
Final Thoughts:
ADATA's Elite SE880 portable SSD is a great addition to the company's already impressive line of flash-based storage products. Designed for content creators as well as console gamers, this lightweight, pocket-sized drive not only looks great, but is also durable enough for day to day use. The Elite SE880 is also powered by Silicon Motion's SM2320 controller and is available with up 1TB of 3D TLC NAND flash. Combine this with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C interface and you have a portable SSD that's capable of some pretty impressive performance. In our sequential read and write tests, the Elite SE880 was able to read at speeds as high as 2,059 MB/s and write at speeds in excess of 1,862 MB/s.
The ADATA Elite SE880 is available now in 500GB and 1TB capacities and can be purchased through retailers like Amazon for $80 and $100, respectively.
Highs:
- Available in 500GB and 1TB capacities
- Lightweight, compact design
- Silicon Motion SM2320 controller
- Equipped with 3D TLC NAND
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C interface
- Excellent sequential read and write speeds
- Works with Windows, Mac, Linux and Android
- Reasonably priced
- 5 year warranty
Lows:
- Mediocre random read and write performance
- Not available in higher capacities
