SSDs
Ongoing coverage on SSDs.
Latest coverage
Project Helix Will “Lean Heavily” Into Zstandard to Directly Stream Assets From the SSD
Microsoft VP Jason Ronald revealed that the upcoming "Project Helix" console will heavily utilize Zstandard for direct asset streaming from the SSD, employing advanced neural texture compression techniques. The company is also preparing to send alpha kits to developers in 2027, with an alleged Holiday 2027 launch window. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged that memory shortages could impact the console's pricing and availability.
Nextorage unveils fresh new gaming SSDs, but they only come with a one-year warranty
Nextorage has released new QLC gaming SSDs, but they are notable for their limited one-year warranty policy. This is contrasted with other manufacturers like Kingston, which typically offer longer warranties. The article speculates this may be due to current memory supply chain issues affecting companies like Toshiba.
Save Money By Turning Your Xbox Expansion Card Into An SSD For Your PC
A method has been discovered to repurpose Xbox Series X/S storage expansion cards as SSDs for PC. These cards use the CF Express format, allowing them to be used with PCIe adapters on a computer's motherboard. While not as fast as dedicated PC NVMe SSDs, this offers a cost-effective way to add storage, especially for users who already own an Xbox expansion card.
China's YMTC is reportedly aiming to more than double its wafer production, which could eventually help put cheap…
China's Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) is reportedly planning to significantly increase its wafer production by building two new foundries. This expansion aims to more than double its output, potentially making it a major global producer of NAND flash memory chips used in SSDs. The move is also seen as China's effort to reduce reliance on US chip manufacturers amidst export restrictions.
Teamgroup MP44Q 2 TB NVMe SSD review
The Teamgroup MP44Q 2 TB NVMe SSD offers average performance across most metrics, with notable weaknesses in 4K performance and pricing. While it boasts an impressive endurance rating and efficient operation, it is overshadowed by competitors that offer better performance for a similar or lower cost.
PS6 May Have Just 1TB SSD And No Disc Drive
Rumors suggest the PlayStation 6 could launch in Holiday 2027 with a 1TB SSD and no disc drive, potentially costing $699 with subsidies. Despite memory shortages, Sony and Microsoft are reportedly still targeting this release window, with Microsoft Gaming planning to ship dev kits in 2027. The console may feature GDDR7 RAM and advanced compression to manage game sizes.
Evening Tech Bits
A new breakthrough in magnet technology has been announced that could significantly impact the manufacturing of RAM, SSDs, and HDDs. This development has the potential to alleviate current shortages in the storage and memory markets.
As if PC hardware news couldn't get any gloomier, one research report suggests mainstream laptop prices could rise…
A TrendForce report indicates that rising prices for PC components like CPUs, DRAM, and SSDs could lead to a 40% increase in mainstream laptop prices. This surge, driven by memory cost increases, could significantly impact the bill of materials for manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Asus. The article questions consumer willingness to pay higher prices, drawing parallels to the GPU market during the COVID-19 pandemic.
