Internals, Testing Methodology and System Setup

Internals:

Breaking open the 120GB and 500GB models, we are greeted by mostly air space:

At the fronts we see the new dual core MGX controller on the 120GB and 500GB capacities pictured here. Samsung is using ODP's (Octal Die Pack) across the 850 EVO line. TLC mode transforms the 86Gbit MLC die into a 128Gbit capacity (funny how neatly that math worked out, it's as if Samsung was planning for these to be TLC all along). With eight dies per package, the 120GB model needs just one of them. Also on board is Low Power DDR2 RAM – 256MB for the 120GB and 512MB for the 500GB.

At the rear we see a blank spot on the 120GB PCB, meaning that the 250GB model will appear identical (with a flash package added to the rear). The 500GB model shows off its other two packages. For those curious, the 1TB model has its own unique PCB with 8xODP installed along side the original MEX controller.

One last shot showing just how small these PCB's are. The 120GB model's PCB might actually take up less space than MSATA.

Testing Methodology

Our tests are a mix of synthetic and real-world benchmarks. PCMark, IOMeter, HDTach, HDTune, Yapt and our custom File Copy test round out the selection to cover just about all bases. If you have any questions about our tests just drop into the Storage Forum and we'll help you out!

Test System Setup

We currently employ a pair of testbeds. A newer ASUS P8Z77-V Pro/Thunderbolt and an ASUS Z87-PRO. Variance between both boards has been deemed negligible.

PC Perspective would like to thank ASUS, Corsair, and Kingston for supplying some of the components of our test rigs. 

 
Hard Drive Test System Setup
CPU Intel Core i7-4770K
Motherboard ASUS P8Z77-V Pro/TB / ASUS Z87-PRO
Memory Kingston HyperX 4GB DDR3-2133 CL9
Hard Drive G.Skill 32GB SLC SSD
Sound Card N/A
Video Card Intel® HD Graphics 4600
Video Drivers Intel
Power Supply Corsair CMPSU-650TX
DirectX Version DX9.0c
Operating System Windows 8.1 X64
  • PCPer File Copy Test
  • HDTach
  • HDTune
  • IOMeter
  • YAPT
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