I've used up all my google-fu and I failed miserably... it seems impossible to find this information anywhere. is the 1.0 TB SSD in the new Mac mini connected using two or four PCIe lanes?
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Mac mini (late 2014) 1.0 TB SSD: how many PCIe lanes?
- Thread starter mikeboss
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if you look in the system report doesnt it tell you?
Apple SSD Controller:
Vendor: Apple
Product: SSD Controller
Physical Interconnect: PCI
Link Width: x2
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
Description: AHCI Version 1.30 Supported
My 512GB is running at 708MB/s for write and 732MB/s for read.
Apple SSD Controller:
Vendor: Apple
Product: SSD Controller
Physical Interconnect: PCI
Link Width: x2
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
Description: AHCI Version 1.30 Supported
My 512GB is running at 708MB/s for write and 732MB/s for read.
Yes, that definitely looks like two lanes. Same speeds I get on the 512 GB in my iMac.
The reason why there's only 2 PCIe lanes available is because the other two PCIe lanes are occupied by Ethernet and the extra 2 USB ports.
On rMBPs, there's only 2 USB ports and no Ethernet port, so 4 lanes are available for the SSD. On the Mac Mini and iMac, 2 lanes are taken up by an extra 2 USB ports (4 USB ports in total) and the Ethernet port, so only 2 lanes are left for the SSD.
I think you're looking in the right direction. but I guess it's the second Thunderbolt port which is eating up the remaining PCIe lanes.
Nope, it's not.
The rMBPs all have 2 Thunderbolt ports as well, but have 4 lanes for the 1TB SSD.
you're right! I wasn't aware that the MacBook Pros do have two TB ports. so it's clearly the NIC & USB using the PCIe lanes.
That's about the speed I get on mine, as well. One day I'll consider replacing the FD with just a single 1TB PCIe stick. I imagine speeds will stay about the same?
One thing is certain, the PCIe allows for 1.5-2X the speeds you can hit on a 2012 mini or older with SATAIII.
One thing is certain, the PCIe allows for 1.5-2X the speeds you can hit on a 2012 mini or older with SATAIII.
Not quite 1.5x if you buy an SSD that can saturate SATA3
I get 520MBps read on mine.
What a disappointment, I'd trade two USB Ports and an Ethernet port for a faster SSD had I gotten the 1 TB one.
So a late 2013 or later 13" rMBP fitted with a 4 lane 1 TB SSD would assume 4 lanes? That would be one fast little machine...
You got that straight.
I wouldn't mind the extra two USB ports and Ethernet, 700MB/s is already fast enough for all my needs, even 4K cinematography.
I never use wifi in my home and office, it's all connected via Ethernet, plus I use wired peripherals for security.
Not quite 1.5x if you buy an SSD that can saturate SATA3
I get 520MBps read on mine.
True, but if you're talking about 'maxing out' things... the 2014 mini can take one of those newest PCIe 1TB drives, that would probably top out around 900/900MB/s read and write.
Yeah but with x2 lane PCIe, it's not going to happen
Why not? Each PCIe lane supports up to 500MB/s. With faster drives, it is very likely we'll see 900MB/s, soon.
Apple uses a PCIe connection with a x2 link width, giving a total of 5 GT/s.
PCIe 2.0 1x can handle 5 GT/s, and in System Information, the link speed is 5 GT/s. Since PCIe 2.0 requires 10 bits to encode 8 bits of data, 5 GT/s converted to Gbps (gigabits) would be 5*(8/10) = 6.25 Gbps. Divide by 8 to get GB/s = 0.78125 GB/s. Multiply by 1024 to get MB/s = 800 MB/s.
So there you go.
Super fast sequential read/writes are really only necessary in servers providing data to multiple end users and 4K video production. The average user should care more about small random read/writes. This is the realm that most of us spend our lives in.
Sequential Read/writes are just for proving who's #$%& is bigger.
/sarcasm
Sequential Read/writes are just for proving who's #$%& is bigger.
/sarcasm
Thanks for the explanation and breakdown
Any idea what the max transfer speed I can expect between my 2013 Mac Pro, and 2014 mini via TB2? Assume the file goes to the mini's SSD.
Thanks for the explanation and breakdown
Any idea what the max transfer speed I can expect between my 2013 Mac Pro, and 2014 mini via TB2? Assume the file goes to the mini's SSD.
Theoretical maximum speed of TB2 is 20 Gb/s = 2.5 GB/s.
In actual practice, if you've got a TB2-TB2 cable from Apple, I'd say you should see around 600-700MB/s, taking into account of the 2 lanes in the Mac Mini.
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