The Plextor M8V SATA SSD Review: Toshiba 3D TLC In a Mainstream Drive

Sequential Read Performance

Our first test of sequential read performance uses short bursts of 128MB, issued as 128kB operations with no queuing. The test averages performance across eight bursts for a total of 1GB of data transferred from a drive containing 16GB of data. Between each burst the drive is given enough idle time to keep the overall duty cycle at 20%.

The Plextor M8V has great burst sequential read performance, but most mainstream SATA drives also perform close to this level.

Our test of sustained sequential reads uses queue depths from 1 to 32, with the performance and power scores computed as the average of QD1, QD2 and QD4. Each queue depth is tested for up to one minute or 32GB transferred, from a drive containing 64GB of data.

On the longer sequential read test, the Plextor M8V is no longer one of the top drives but its performance is still respectable even by the standards of modern 64L 3D TLC drives.

The Plextor M8V's power efficiency during sequential reads is good. Samsung's drives and Toshiba's DRAMless drives are more efficient, but among other mainstream SATA SSDs the M8V comes out on top.

Plextor M8V 512GBIntel SSD 545s 512GBSamsung 850 EVO 500GBSamsung 850 PRO 512GBSamsung 860 PRO 512GBCrucial BX300 480GBCrucial MX300 525GBCrucial MX500 500GBPlextor S2C 512GBADATA Ultimate SU800 512GBToshiba TR200 480GBOCZ VX500 512GB

In absolute terms the power consumption of the M8V is higher than most other SATA drives, but the performance is high enough to largely justify the power consumption.

Sequential Write Performance

Our test of sequential write burst performance is structured identically to the sequential read burst performance test save for the direction of the data transfer. Each burst writes 128MB as 128kB operations issued at QD1, for a total of 1GB of data written to a drive containing 16GB of data.

The Plextor M8V is in a multi-way tie for second fastest burst sequential write speed. Since the top-scoring Samsung 850 PRO is on its way out, that puts the M8V in the top tier of current SSDs.

Our test of sustained sequential writes is structured identically to our sustained sequential read test, save for the direction of the data transfers. Queue depths range from 1 to 32 and each queue depth is tested for up to one minute or 32GB, followed by up to one minute of idle time for the drive to cool off and perform garbage collection. The test is confined to a 64GB span of the drive.

The sustained sequential write speed of the Plextor M8V reminds us that the M8V is still an entry-level SSD with some pitfalls. The M8V isn't anywhere near as slow as the TR200 or the Plextor S2C, but it can't keep up with the mainstream SATA SSDs or some of the other budget SSDs.

The power efficiency of the M8V during sustained sequential writes is relatively low, but doesn't stand out as badly as its performance score.

Plextor M8V 512GBIntel SSD 545s 512GBSamsung 850 EVO 500GBSamsung 850 PRO 512GBSamsung 860 PRO 512GBCrucial BX300 480GBCrucial MX300 525GBCrucial MX500 500GBPlextor S2C 512GBADATA Ultimate SU800 512GBToshiba TR200 480GBOCZ VX500 512GB

While clearly on the slow side, the Plextor M8V's sequential write performance is steady, with most of its performance available at QD1 and there are no signs of major problems managing the SLC cache.