I almost preorder a machine and then saw the drive only supports 1000MB read/write speeds. Unless I read it wrong, current drives out today, are 500 percent faster than what is being offered by Framework. Please…if I am incorrect, please let me know.
The optional and removable storage expansion module is rated around 1000 MB/s.
The SSDs that actually go inside the laptop are rated for up to 6600 MB/s for the pre-built Framework 16 Overkill variant (other pre-builts only get 6000 MB/s), or if you go with DIY edition you can get 7300 MB/s if you select SN850x in the configurator or even faster if you buy a drive separately.
Edit: Although that’s sequential speed, which is the performance when working with data that is all in the same place on the SSD (ex. A single massive file). For most use cases random speed (performance working with data spread across the SSD) matters more. Random speed is typically measured in IOPS, which is the quantity of 4096 byte files that the SSD can access per second.
The Framework storage expansion module can do 41k IOPS, the SSD in pre-built Framework 16 can do 750k IOPS, and if you get the DIY edition Framework 16 you can select a SN850x SSD with up to 1200k IOPS.
For even better performance you could get a Samsung 990 Pro, SK Hynix P41 Platinum, or Solidigim P44 Pro. Those are top of the line SSDs with over 7000 MB/s sequential and 1400k IOPS. (The P41 Platinum and P44 Pro are actually the same SSD sold under two different names, usually the P44 Pro is a bit cheaper, just dont get anything confused with the much lower end Solidigim P41 Pro)
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@Steven_S_Ellsworth, you’re listing the specifications of the optional storage expansion card, not the primary SSD.
Think of it as a big USB flash drive. It’s actually quite fast for a USB flash drive, and very high capacity. Although you can run an OS from it, it’s best to run an OS from the primary SSD (which is much, much faster as @Kyle_Reis explains).
On the FW16, there’s a second slot for a smaller (physical) 2230 (22mm wide, 30mm long) M.2 SSD, which doesn’t need to be occupied. Those are not as high capacity as the primary 2280 (22mm wide, 80mm long) M.2 SSD, and they’re a little slower, but this one will still be much faster than the storage expansion card.
M.2 2280 primary SSD example: Framework | WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe (gigantic 4TB, 7,300MB/s)
M.2 2230 secondary SSD example: Framework | Western Digital SN740 NVMe - M.2 2230 (large 2TB, 5,150MB/s)
These are just examples, you can get lower capacities and slower speeds if you don’t need them and want to save a bit of money. And you don’t need the secondary SSD at all, but if you want more than 4TB of space or want a second drive for another OS, it’s there if you need it.
The storage expansion cards are just that, extra storage. They’re optional but are smaller than a typical USB flash drive, fit right into the laptop yet are still removeable, and are quite fast as far as USB storage goes.
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Hmm, the Samsung is 4GB max, and the others are 2GB max, compared to the WD 850X at 8GB max.
Am glad there laptop comes with a decent drive. I have a nice M.2, 2TB drive, I will install, once I receive the laptop next year. I am in no hurry.
You’re mistaken. The 990 pro and the Solidigm get around 7000 MB/s for both read and write which is around the same as the SN850X. The main differences are sustained read/write, performance under different workloads, and power efficiency.
You’re mistaken. The 990 pro and the Solidigm get around 7000 MB/s for > both read and write which is around the same as the SN850X. The main > differences are sustained read/write, performance under different workloads, > and power efficiency.
I was mentioning capacity, not speed.
Then it would be in TB, not GB.
