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 SU750'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 SU750's read speed. However, its average writing speed dropped to a mere 17.28 MB/s.
ADATA Ultimate SU750 - Dirty
To see how well the SU750 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 average write speed climbed up to 350.94 MB/s.
ADATA Ultimate SU750 - After TRIM
Lastly, I used Parted Magic to perform a secure erase on the SU750. With the drive wiped clean, it had average read and write speeds of 511.88 MB/s and 482.52 MB/s, respectively.
ADATA Ultimate SU750 - Secure Erased
Final Thoughts:
ADATA's Ultimate SU750 is a great choice for the consumer looking for an easy and affordable way to improve the performance of their existing computer. This entry-level drive combines Realtek's new RTS5733DMQ controller with next-generation 3D TLC NAND to deliver good performance at a price that won't break the bank. In our sequential read and write tests, the 512GB version of the SU750 was able to read at speeds as high as 552 MB/s and write at speeds in excess of 515 MB/s. It also did reasonably well in our random write tests, producing more than 50,000 IOPS at low queue depths.
Of course, fast read and write speeds aren't the only things the Ultimate SU750 has to offer. Like most TLC-based SSDs, the drive uses an SLC caching algorithm to optimize performance during sustained writes. The SU750 also uses LDPC error correcting code technology to to detect and fix data errors. Last, but not least, the drive works with ADATA's SSD Toolbox and Migration Utility and is covered by a 3 year warranty.
The Ultimate SU750 is available now in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities and can be purchased directly from ADATA or through some of the sellers listed on Amazon.com. Prices currently range from $40 up to $110, with the 512GB version reviewed here retailing for about $60.
Highs:
- Available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities
- Realtek RTS5733DMQ controller
- 3D TLC NAND
- Good sequential and random read and write performance
- Intelligent SLC caching
- Advanced hardware LDPC ECC technology
- Ultra-slim form factor
- SSD Toolbox and Migration Utility
- Reasonably priced
- 3 year warranty
Lows:
- Does not support hardware based encryption
- Write speed drops when SLC cache is full
