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SSD Size Read/Write Differences

WhiteWhaleHolyGrail

WhiteWhaleHolyGrail

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 14, 2016
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Just read the Ars Technica review of the MBP Touch Bar (http://arstechnica.co.uk/apple/2016/11/macbook-pro-touch-bar-13-15-inch-touch-bar-review/) and it provides Quickbench scores which indicate that there are quite significant read/write speed differences between the 256gb and 512gb SSD versions. Rather oddly the 256gb wins on read speed (2,874mb p/s to 2,677 mb p/s) and the 512gb wins on write speed (2,153mb p/s to 1,449 mb p/s).

I wonder how many people knew about this discrepancy. What are your thoughts - do you think the differences will be appreciable in daily use?

WWHG.
 
I'm pretty sure they're using a mix of Sandisk and Samsung SSDs for the MBPs

Lower sizes are Sandisk and larger sizes (1/2 TB I assume) are the killer Samsungs. You can chalk it up to a lackluster Sandisk SSD.

I'm just assuming this though.
 
J D A said:
I'm pretty sure they're using a mix of Sandisk and Samsung SSDs for the MBPs

Lower sizes are Sandisk and larger sizes (1/2 TB I assume) are the killer Samsungs. You can chalk it up to a lackluster Sandisk SSD.

I'm just assuming this though.
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It looks like it. They are using two brands. Cheap Sandisk vs Samsung. Its possible they will use all Sandisk for more profits.
 
As the arstechnica article makes clear, the write difference is presumably because the 512GB is being written to in more places at the same time, thus the read being equivalent. I'd need to see proof regarding Sandisk v. Samsung
 
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monkeydax said:
Wonder how will the base 15" 256GB perform over that 13" 256GB test by arstechnica?
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I made the decision to not upgrade the stock SSD because I keep most files on an external HD and rarely go anywhere near 100gb on my laptops. However, should there be speed implications for the 15 inch SSDs depending on size I will be very disappointed, particularly as Apple seem to have kept this quiet.

Can anyone provide any further info on this?
 
WhiteWhaleHolyGrail said:
I made the decision to not upgrade the stock SSD because I keep most files on an external HD and rarely go anywhere near 100gb on my laptops. However, should there be speed implications for the 15 inch SSDs depending on size I will be very disappointed, particularly as Apple seem to have kept this quiet.

Can anyone provide any further info on this?
Click to expand...
Just looking at the last generation, this had already been present. Saw some speed tests on youtube reviews:
512GB/1TB: Write 1400-1500, Read 1800
256GB: Write 1100 Read 1800

I suspect we're gonna see the same results here, just waiting out for some real world tests.

That said, i doubt that 30% increase in write speed will be very noticeable?
 
Both are very fast so - if you go for the higher storage, go for it because you need more space, but it won't be value for money if you only opt for the higher storage for perceived faster read/write speeds.
 
When i tested with Blackmagic Disk Speed Test my Macbook 2015 15" 256GB i had:

1400MB/s Write - 1900MB/s Read
 
My understanding was that the 2015 MBPs had no appreciable speed differences. Current models seem to have pronounced differences.

Why wouldn't Apple standardise the whole range of SSD speeds? Perhaps to further incentivise upgrades?
 
WhiteWhaleHolyGrail said:
My understanding was that the 2015 MBPs had no appreciable speed differences. Current models seem to have pronounced differences.

Why wouldn't Apple standardise the whole range of SSD speeds? Perhaps to further incentivise upgrades?
Click to expand...

Could just be due to the different suppliers or manufacturers of the SSD.
 
Let's keep this simple more chips on a larger capacity SSD means more places to write to at the same time which means faster write speeds on larger ssd's and applies to all ssd's equally.

Just look up the idiotic nonsense written about slow write speeds on the 32gb iPhone. This is purely a quirk of the technology and nothing to do with manufacturer or Apple at all.
 
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Samuelsan2001 said:
Let's keep this simple more chips on a larger capacity SSD means more places to write to at the same time which means faster write speeds on larger ssd's and applies to all ssd's equally.
Click to expand...

Yep, exactly. The way the SSDs are set up is kind of similar to RAID0, you have multiple modules that are being written to in parallel. So the bigger the size, the higher the speed (usually).
 
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It would be great to compare the 512GB/1TB/2TB so we wouldn't have to speculate. I'm on the fence between the 1TB and 2TB in terms of space, so if one is faster, I'll probably go with that.

Anyone have one of those who wouldn't mind posing the blackmagic benchmark?

EDIT: The blackmagic benchmark is capped at 2000MB/s, so how about AJA benchmarks?
 
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I am pretty sure I saw someone post 1TB results but I can't find them.

1TB/2TB owners results would be highly appreciated!
 
I have the 2.9 460 with the 1TB.. Looks like black magic might be maxed out for me
 

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ocrane said:
I have the 2.9 460 with the 1TB.. Looks like black magic might be maxed out for me
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Looks like AJA was able to able to measure past 2k
 

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Samuelsan2001 said:
Let's keep this simple more chips on a larger capacity SSD means more places to write to at the same time which means faster write speeds on larger ssd's and applies to all ssd's equally.

Just look up the idiotic nonsense written about slow write speeds on the 32gb iPhone. This is purely a quirk of the technology and nothing to do with manufacturer or Apple at all.
Click to expand...

leman said:
Yep, exactly. The way the SSDs are set up is kind of similar to RAID0, you have multiple modules that are being written to in parallel. So the bigger the size, the higher the speed (usually).
Click to expand...

Concur with both. Guys theres no conspiracy theory here. Look up your typical 2.5" drive even within the same product line, larger capacities have faster speeds because more modules.
 
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Would you be able to tell if its SanDisk or Samsung drives? Whats the model in the Utilities - System Information - NVMexpress?
 
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