Phison Introduces E29T Gen 4 Controller for Mainstream Client SSDs | usagoldmines.com

At FMS 2024, Phison gave us the usual updates on their client flash solutions. The E31T Gen 5 mainstream controller has already been seen at a few tradeshows starting with Computex 2023, while the USB4 native flash controller for high-end PSSDs was unveiled at CES 2024. The new solution being demonstrated was the E29T Gen 4 mainstream DRAM-less controller. Phison believes that there is still performance to be eked out on the Gen 4 platform with a low-cost DRAM-less solution.

Phison NVMe SSD Controller Comparison

 
E31T
E29T
E27T
E26
E18

Market Segment
Mainstream Consumer
High-End Consumer

Manufacturing
Process
7nm
12nm
12nm
12nm
12nm

CPU Cores
2x Cortex R5
1x Cortex R5
1x Cortex R5
2x Cortex R5
3x Cortex R5

Error Correction
7th Gen LDPC
7th Gen LDPC
5th Gen LDPC
5th Gen LDPC
4th Gen LDPC

DRAM
No
No
No
DDR4, LPDDR4
DDR4

Host Interface
PCIe 5.0 x4
PCIe 4.0 x4
PCIe 4.0 x4
PCIe 5.0 x4
PCIe 4.0 x4

NVMe Version
NVMe 2.0
NVMe 2.0
NVMe 2.0
NVMe 2.0
NVMe 1.4

NAND Channels, Interface Speed
4 ch,
3600 MT/s
4 ch,
3600 MT/s
4 ch,
3600 MT/s
8 ch,
2400 MT/s
8 ch,
1600 MT/s

Max Capacity
8 TB
8 TB
8 TB
8 TB
8 TB

Sequential Read
10.8 GB/s
7.4 GB/s
7.4 GB/s
14 GB/s
7.4 GB/s

Sequential Write
10.8 GB/s
6.5 GB/s
6.7 GB/s
11.8 GB/s
7.0 GB/s

4KB Random Read IOPS
1500k
1200k
1200k
1500k
1000k

4KB Random Write IOPS
1500k
1200k
1200k
2000k
1000k

Compared to the E27T, the key update is the use of a newer LDPC engine that enables better SSD lifespan as well as compatibility with the latest QLC flash, along with additional power optimizations.

The company also had a U21 USB4 PSSD reference design (complete with a MagSafe-compatible casing) on display, along with the usual CrystalDiskMark benchmark results. We were given to understand that PSSDs based on the U21 controller are very close to shipping into retail.

Phison has been known for taking the lead in introducing SSD controllers based on the latest and greatest interface options – be it PCIe 4.0, PCIe 5.0, or USB4. The competition is usually in the form of tier-one vendors opting for their in-house solution, or Silicon Motion stepping in a few quarters down the line after the market takes off with a more power-efficient solution. With the E29T, Phison is aiming to ensure that they still have a viable play in the mainstream Gen 4 market with their latest LDPC engine and supporting the highest available NAND flash speeds.