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 7, 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 X8'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 X8's read speed. However, its average writing speed dropped to 83.20 MB/s.
Crucial X8 - Dirty
To see how well the X8 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 877.12 MB/s.
Crucial X8 - After TRIM
Unfortunately, the X8 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 X8 was able to read at 947.39 MB/s and write at 882.17 MB/s.
Crucial X8 - Secure Erased
Final Thoughts:
Crucial's X8 portable SSD is a great addition to the company's already impressive line of flash-based storage products. Built with a unibody core of anodized aluminum, this lightweight, pocket-sized drive not only looks great, but is rugged enough for everyday use. The X8 is also powered by the same Silicon Motion SM2263EN controller found in Crucial's award winning P1 SSD and is available with up 1TB of Micron's 3D QLC NAND flash. Combine this with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and you have a portable SSD that's capable of some pretty impressive performance. In our sequential read and write tests, the X8 was able to read at speeds as high as 1,034 MB/s and write at speeds in excess of 915 MB/s.
The Crucial X8 is available now in 500GB and 1TB capacities and can be purchased from Amazon.com for $100 and $165, respectively.
Highs:
- Available in 500GB and 1TB capacities
- Durable, rugged, and compact design
- Silicon Motion SM2263EN controller
- Equipped with Micron 3D QLC NAND
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface
- Excellent sequential read and write speeds
- Works with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4 and Xbox
- Reasonably priced
- 3 year warranty
Lows:
- Mediocre random read and write performance
- Case gets a little warm to the touch during extended usage
- Does not support hardware based encryption
