How AS SSD Benchmark Differentiates PCIe SSD Performance Generations

To accurately measure the capabilities of your contemporary Non-Volatile Memory Express device, immediately configure the AS SATADOM benchmark’s data pattern to a 1-fill setting. This action forces the tool to assess the controller’s compression resistance, a critical factor often overlooked. Drives utilizing Phison’s E12 or Silicon Motion’s SM2262 controllers can exhibit performance differentials exceeding 40% between compressible and incompressible data streams, rendering default tests misleading for real-world usage.

Scrutinize the 4K random read and write results at a queue depth of 64. This metric directly correlates with the drive’s input/output operations per second under heavy load, a primary indicator of its multi-lane peripheral component interconnect express bus utilization. For a Gen4 x4 module, expect figures surpassing 800,000 and 700,000 IOPS respectively; a Gen3 x4 unit should deliver no less than 600,000 and 550,000. Values significantly lower suggest a firmware issue or thermal throttling.

Cross-reference the sequential write score with the access time measurements. A high megabyte-per-second figure paired with an access time greater than 0.1ms frequently indicates an over-provisioned static random-access memory cache that is saturating, causing inconsistent latency. This is a common trait in consumer-grade storage lacking a dedicated DRAM buffer. For sustained data transfers, a result showing minimal fluctuation between test loops confirms a stable flash management system.

Interpreting Sequential Read/Write speeds for real-world file transfers

Expect actual file copy operations to achieve 60-70% of the maximum sequential throughput reported by a utility like AS SSD. A drive showing a 7,000 MB/s read score will typically transfer a large video file between 4,200 and 4,900 MB/s. This discrepancy stems from file system overhead, driver maturity, and the source drive’s own write capability during the transfer.

For moving a 50GB game folder, a high-throughput model can complete the task in roughly 10-12 seconds, whereas a SATA-based unit operating at 550 MB/s requires nearly a minute and a half. The performance delta is most apparent with single, massive files like disk images, archives, or uncompressed 4K video footage. Transferring thousands of small documents or pictures will see significantly lower average speeds, as the storage controller manages numerous access requests.

To maximize real-world throughput, connect the storage device to a CPU-attached M.2 slot, not one routed through the chipset. Ensure the motherboard’s BIOS and the latest storage controller drivers are installed. Format the volume with a modern file system; NTFS is standard for Windows, but exFAT offers better cross-platform compatibility without the performance penalty of FAT32. Avoid running other heavy applications during the transfer to minimize resource contention.

When comparing specifications, a higher 4K random read/write result often correlates with a more responsive system during multitasking, even if its sequential metrics are slightly lower. For a primary boot volume, prioritize a strong 4K random read performance above all else.

Analyzing 4K random read/write IOPS for system responsiveness

Direct your attention to the 4K Random Read/Write results in the AS SSD Benchmark utility. These figures, measured in Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS), are the primary determinant for how quickly your operating system and applications react to your commands.

A drive reporting 4K random read speeds below 40,000 IOPS will often feel sluggish during multi-tasking. For a genuinely fluid experience, especially with heavy workloads, target values exceeding 80,000 IOPS. This metric directly correlates with faster application launches, quicker file searches, and a smoother user interface.

Write operations, while still critical, have a less pronounced daily impact than read speeds. A score of 200,000 IOPS for sequential transfers becomes irrelevant if the 4K random read performance is weak. The operating system predominantly handles small, random file requests.

Compare your results against reviews for your specific storage model. A significant deviation, such as a 30% lower IOPS count, may indicate a misconfigured driver or a saturated drive. The utility’s access time measurement, ideally under 0.1ms, further confirms the drive’s agility.

FAQ:

What exactly is the AS SSD Benchmark testing on my PCIe SSD?

The AS SSD Benchmark focuses on measuring the raw, uncompressed performance of your Solid State Drive. Unlike some other benchmarks that use compressible data, AS SSD uses incompressible data for its tests. This approach is particularly useful for assessing the performance of SSDs with controllers that use compression techniques, as it shows their “worst-case” scenario speed. The main tests include Sequential Read/Write, which measures speed for large, contiguous files, and 4K Random Read/Write, which measures speed for small, scattered files typical of an operating system and applications. It also tests access times and includes a specific test for copying different types of files like programs, games, and documents.

Why does the benchmark show a low score even on a fast new PCIe 4.0 SSD?

A lower-than-expected score can be caused by several factors. A common reason is the drive’s thermal throttling behavior. High-performance PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 SSDs generate significant heat under sustained load. If the drive overheats, it will deliberately reduce its speed to prevent damage, which directly lowers the benchmark score. Another possibility is that the SSD is not running in its optimal link state. Ensure the drive is installed in a slot connected directly to the CPU, not the chipset, and that the correct drivers are installed. Also, if the drive is near full capacity or has been used heavily without a TRIM command, performance can degrade. Running the benchmark on a system with active background tasks can also skew the results.

How do I interpret the 4K and 4K-64Thrd results?

The 4K and 4K-64Thrd results are among the most important for gauging real-world responsiveness. The “4K” test measures the speed when reading or writing very small, 4 kilobyte files from a single CPU thread. This simulates the load of a typical desktop user opening a document or a program file. A high score here means the system will feel very snappy. The “4K-64Thrd” test does the same but with 64 simultaneous threads, heavily stressing the drive’s controller and parallel processing capabilities. This simulates a heavy workload, such as a database server handling many requests or a user running multiple demanding applications at once. A large difference between the single-threaded and multi-threaded scores shows how well the SSD’s architecture handles concurrent tasks.

Is the final score out of 1000 a reliable indicator of real-world performance?

While the final score provides a quick, at-a-glance comparison, it should not be the only metric you rely on. The score is a weighted calculation based on the results of all the individual tests (Sequential, 4K, Access Time). Its weighting heavily favors random read/write performance, which has a big impact on system feel. Therefore, an SSD with exceptional 4K speeds but average sequential speeds might score higher than one with the opposite performance profile. For a complete picture, you need to look at the individual test results. A drive with high sequential read/write is great for transferring large video files, while a drive with high 4K random performance will make your operating system and applications launch and run faster. Your specific use case determines which metrics matter most.

Reviews

LunaShadow

Did you even test real workloads, or just copy numbers from a spec sheet?

CrimsonRose

Sweetie, your drive’s numbers are cute, but have any of you actually felt a real-world difference between Gen3 and Gen4 outside of a benchmark?

VortexRider

Just ran AS SSD on my new drive. The raw numbers hit different when you see them laid out like this – sequential speeds are one thing, but those 4K random read figures are the real foundation for a snappy system. No more waiting for icons to load or programs to stutter. This tool cuts through the marketing specs and shows you exactly what you paid for. Seeing that high queue depth performance confirms the controller isn’t just for show. This is the kind of concrete data that makes a hardware upgrade genuinely satisfying.

Ava Brown

Oh please. Another dry tech piece written by someone who clearly spends more time staring at charts than actually using a computer. You’ve listed numbers until my eyes glaze over, but have you ever tried opening 15 browser tabs, a video call, and a massive spreadsheet all at once? That’s the real test. Your precious “benchmark” doesn’t tell me if my system will freeze while I’m multitasking. Real-world use trumps your synthetic scores every single time. This is just academic fluff for spec-sheet warriors. Get back to me when you’ve managed a household’s digital chaos.

Sophia

Why you even bother with AS SSD if it can’t properly measure new PCIe speeds? Do you even understand how these drives work or just copying old info?

VelvetThunder

My drive scored higher than my hopes. Now I just need files that can keep up with this speed. A girl can dream.

CrimsonFalcon

These benchmark numbers are just fancy wallpaper for geeks. Real people don’t care about sequential speeds. We care if Windows boots fast and games load now. All this technical talk is just noise to sell expensive hardware to the gullible. A simple test is all you need; if it feels quick, it is quick. The rest is marketing nonsense for people with more money than sense.