The SSD controller is responsible for where and how the data is stored in the physical storage cells (NAND) of the SSD and has an important influence on the performance and lifetime of the SSD. SSDs can have a DRAM cache. The DRAM (Dynamic-Random Access Memory) is used by the controller to cache the management data and mapping table (what data is where in memory) and speeds up access to the memory cells. The lack of a DRAM cache therefore leads to slower access times. The remedy for the more cost-effective DRAM-less NVMe SSDs is HMB (host memory buffer) technology. Here, the computer's RAM is used as a buffer for the mapping table.
Here you can find information and data sheets about various SSD controllers of the SSDs we tested:
| Company | Controller | DRAM | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| InnoGrit | IG5208 | no | Download data sheet |
| InnoGrit | IG5216 | no | Download data sheet |
| InnoGrit | IG5220 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| InnoGrit | IG5236 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88NV1120 | no | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88SS1074 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88SS1092 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88SS1098 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88SS1100 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88SS1321 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | 88SS1322 | no | Download data sheet |
| Marvell | Bravera SC5 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Maxio | MAP1001 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Maxio | MAP1002 | no | Download data sheet |
| Maxio | MAP1202 | no | Download data sheet |
| Maxio | MAP1602 | no | Download data sheet |
| Maxio | MAS0901 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Maxio | MAS0902 | no | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS3111-S11T | no | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS3112-S12 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5012-E12C | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5012-E12S | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5013-E13T | no | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5016-E16 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5018-E18 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5019-E19T | no | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5021-E21T | no | Download data sheet |
| Phison | PS5026-E26 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2246EN | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2246XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2258 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2258XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2259 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2259XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2259XT2 | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2261XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2262EN | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2263EN | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2263XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2264 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2267 | ✓ yes | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2267XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2268XT | no | Download data sheet |
| Silicon Motion | SM2269XT | no | Download data sheet |