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 XS2000'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 XS2000's read speed. However, its average writing speed dropped to 64.07 MB/s.
Kingston XS2000 - Dirty
To see how well the XS2000 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 1688.74 MB/s.
Kingston XS2000 - After TRIM
Unfortunately, the XS2000 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 XS2000 was able to read at 834.93 MB/s and write at 1708.69 MB/s.
Kingston XS2000 - Secure Erased
Final Thoughts:
With the XS2000, Kingston has shown us that good things do come in small packages. This pocket-sized, portable SSD is both solidly constructed and lightweight. In addition to its metal and plastic casing, the drive includes a removable rubber sleeve that makes it water resistant, dust resistant and shockproof. On the inside, the XS2000 is powered by Silicon Motion's new SM2320 controller and is available with up 2TB of 3D TLC NAND flash. Combine this with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface and you have a portable SSD that's capable of some pretty impressive performance. In our sequential read and write tests, the XS2000 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 Kingston XS2000 is available now in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. Prices on Amazon.com currently range from $85 up to $240, with the 1TB version reviewed here retailing for about $145.
Highs:
- Available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities
- Lightweight, compact design
- Silicon Motion SM2320 controller
- Equipped with 3D TLC NAND
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface
- Excellent sequential read and write speeds
- Water resistant, dust resistant and shockproof with included rubber sleeve
- Works with Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS
- Reasonably priced
- 5 year warranty
Lows:
- Mediocre random read and write performance
