Introduction
We previously reviewed the Transcend MTE250H SSD, a Gen4 SSD intended for enthusiast use featuring a DRAM cache to supplement performance. Earlier this year, Transcend supplements their Gen4 stack with another model with the Trascend MTE255S. This model features the Silicon Motion SM2268XT2, also found on other DRAMless models coming out this year.
Today we take a look at the Transcend MTE255S SSD, now available in 1TB and 2TB capacity and is up now on Lazada and Shopee. This DRAMless model features the new SM2268XT2 controller that offer performance on-par with its DRAM-cache equipped sibling. Thanks to its lower component count, its a low power solution and is aimed at users that are probably using earlier generation SSDs or SATA drives.
We’ll see how the Transcend MTE255S performs in this review so read on to find out more!
Features & Specification
- Exceptional Speed: Utilizing a PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface, the MTE255S offers impressive sequential read speeds up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,500 MB/s, ensuring rapid data transfer for tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Advanced Cooling Design: Equipped with a graphene heat sink, this SSD effectively dissipates heat, maintaining stable performance even during extended high-intensity operations.
- Enhanced Data Integrity: Incorporating Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) error-correcting code, the SSD ensures data integrity and long-term reliability, making it suitable for critical applications.
- Massive Storage Capacity: Slim yet robust, offering up to 2TB of storage for gamers, content creators, and professionals.
- Comprehensive Software Support: Transcend offers the free SSD Scope software, allowing users to monitor drive health, perform firmware updates, and optimize performance, ensuring the SSD operates at its best throughout its lifespan.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Type | M.2 2280 |
| Dimensions | Single-sided 80 mm x 22 mm x 2.42 mm (3.15″ x 0.87″ x 0.1″) |
| Weight | 9 g (0.32 oz) |
| Heatsink Type | Graphene heatsink |
| Interface | NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 |
| Flash Type | 3D NAND flash |
| Capacity | 1 TB / 2 TB |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C (32°F) ~ 70°C (158°F) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V±5% |
| Sequential Read/Write (CrystalDiskMark) | 2 TB: Up to 7,400 / 6,500 MB/s 1 TB: Up to 7,400 / 5,200 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read/Write (IOmeter) | 2 TB: Up to 700,000 / 500,000 IOPS 1 TB: Up to 660,000 / 500,000 IOPS |
| Terabytes Written (TBW) | 2 TB: 1,200 TBW 1 TB: 600 TBW |
| MTBF | 2,000,000 hours |
| DWPD | 0.33 (5 years) |
| Note: Speed may vary due to host hardware, software, usage, and storage capacity. The workload used to rate DWPD may be different from your actual workload. Some motherboards only provide PCIe x2 connections for the M.2 slot, creating a bottleneck even on the fastest drives. | |
Closer Look – Transcend MTE255S
Transcend ships the MTE255S in a compact box with a hero shot of the product at the front. The model name is at the top and we can see the actual trade name of this SSD which is Transcend PCIe SSD 255S. We’re using the model name here to be very exact. Take note that this SSD shares the same box hero image as other SSDs so please check the model name on the front and on the serial labels.
Inside the package is the SSD itself held in blister packaging with some inserts and documentation. The graphene heatspreader comes preinstalled already.
The Transcend MTE255S is a standard M.2 2280-size module and supports for Gen4 and Gen3 M.2 slots (Gen3 will operate at its max-rated bandwidth). The MTE255S 1TB is a single-sided module with all components on the top-side. The graphene heatspreader covers the topside with provisions for more NAND so the 2TB model could still be a single-sided module.
The single-side design and low component count helps in its positioning for general users especially for laptops that don’t have and can’t accommodate a heatsink.
With consumers becoming more aware of part revisions and how they can affect performance down the line, we include the key components in our SSD reviews. Below are the components used by TRANSCEND MTE255S 1TB SSD sample as pictured:
- Controller: Silicon Motion SME2268XT2
- Flash: Transcend-branded 41-9440-K04KT (Toshiba TLC 112-layer NAND?)
- DRAM: N/A, uses 64MB HMB
Performance Testing – Transcend MTE255S
Test Setup
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Motherboard: ROG STRIX Z890 GAMING-F
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ5 CK DDR5-8200
Storage: Kingston FURY Renegade SSD (OS), tested drive as listed
PSU: FSP Hydro GT Pro 1000W
Cooling: Arctic Frozr III 360
Monitor: ROG Strix XG32UQ
VGA: ASUS GTX 1050 Ti Phoenix
Our sample for this test is the TRANSCEND MTE255S 1TB capacity version
Linear Performance Testing
SSD performance rating especially on write usually only achieved in optimal sitautions particularly sequential transfers. In this we use a script to write 1GB data files to fill-up the drive or until we hit the saturation point where the drive doesn’t deliver its rated performance.
Crystal DiskMark
CrystalDIskMark has been the most actively updated disk benchmark amongst all the ones we use and is effectively the most reliable. Unfortunately, version to version results are not comparable which limits the ability to extrapolate comparative data. Still its a reliable and direct benchmark. Like the previous, it allows control over test data pattern, the test data size, amount of passes and individual benchmark control.
PCMark 10 Storage Benchmark
PCMark 10 introduces a set of four storage benchmarks that use relevant real-world traces from popular applications and common tasks to fully test the performance of the latest modern drives.
3DMark Storage Benchmark
The 3DMark Storage Benchmark uses traces recorded from popular games and gaming-related activities to measure real-world gaming performance, such as:
- Loading Battlefield V from launch to the main menu.
- Loading Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 from launch to the main menu.
- Loading Overwatch from launch to the main menu.
- Recording a 1080p gameplay video at 60 FPS with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) while playing Overwatch.
- Installing The Outer Worlds from the Epic Games Launcher.
- Saving game progress in The Outer Worlds.
- Copying the Steam folder for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive from an external SSD to the system drive.
Final Fantasy XIV Benchmark
Final Fantasy XIV has a standalone benchmark application for PC, with the mid-2024 update to the game being the Dawntrail expansion which means that we’re restarting from scratch in our testing archive for this benchmark which delivers some very nice graphical updates. A long-standing feature of the Final Fantasy XIV standalone benchmark is the loading data is captures which is a summary of all the load times between scenes in the benchmark. We take the aggregate loading times of these scenes for the total score.
Playstation 5 Testing
The Sony Playstation 5 supports storage expansion thru M.2 devices and many SSD makers are advertising their drives as supporting the Playstation 5. That said, we’ve included PS5 bandwidth testing in our reviews. We use the Playstation 5’s internal read speed test for the primary initialization. Due to how Sony designed this benchmark, our testing averages at least 5 reads with the drive formatted after a rest period for best thermal results.
Conclusion
The stigma of DRAMless SSD has come from older generation models that feature very bad performance but the newer generation of SSDs now see some of the most competitive performance options for high-performance usage. In the Transcend MTE255S, the SM2268XT2 manages to leverage its HMB to sustain much of the workloads we test with and see it rank up there with some of the modern drives we’ve tested. It does see itself get punished in the extended trace tests from UL Benchmarks but the target users of this drive shouldn’t see those kinds of workloads much so Crystal Diskmark’s numbers should be reflected of general usecases.
All in all, the Transcend MTE255S SSD is an option for those who want to upgrade their laptops with peak Gen4 speeds without worrying about thermal throttling. Its a modern offering from Transcend, one that should fit with general users but should also satisfy gamers if they need the speed.
Its top competition is very limited, with most coming from China and for the most part, Transcend competes with those brands with a 5-year warranty if you’re buying from official channels so that should give you some peace of mind rather than risking with no-name brands. The Kingston NV3 is its closest competitor specs-wise, but is intended for a lower budget user as its performance tier sits just below the Transcend MTE255S.
All in all, the Transcend MTE255S SSD offers a nice performance option for those that want an upgrade for their laptops or desktop that maybe running a PCIe gen4 but still rocks a SATA or Gen3 SSD. This drive will offer a tangible boost in responsiveness and should not have many of the worries of those that still see DRAMless SSD as an inferior option vs. their DRAMless siblings.
The Transcend MTE255S is available now on Lazada and Shopee in 1TB (this review) and 2TB capacities. Transcend backs the MTE255S with a 5-year warranty and I give it my recommended seal.
Transcend MTE255S M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD Review – Back2Gaming https://b2g.to/ppj8n
Mukang promising tlga boss mac ang SM gaya ng 2508 sa latest gen5 ng mga other brands ang lamig at ang efficient. Xpg pinaka competitive ang price
honga eh, need ko nga balik ung thermal monitoring ko for SSD para mavalidate na rin ung heat since un din reason bat ginawa yang SM2508. may setup ako dito walang heatsink ung mga top-PCie slot kasi bangga sa AIO haha
Back2Gaming lamig ng xpg and mura pa. Yung g5 35k 4tb sm2508 tapos xpg 23k lang haha kaya bumili ako isang 4tb and isang 2tb. Kasi halos ka kapresyo lang ng 990 pro