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When last we looked at the newest MyDigitalSSD M.2 SSD family, we posted a review of the MyDigitalSSD Super Cache 2 64GB SSD as a caching SSD and we tested it in the Lenovo Y510 with Hybridisk in use as the caching software. We also have on hand the 128GB version of the SC2 which we are going to let stand on its own for testing today but we wanted to reiterate a great configuration we thought up while testing the Y510.
HybriDisk allows the partitioning of the SSD. This means that, with this 128GB SC2 M.2 SSD we are testing today, once could create a pure SSD boot drive with a larger logical partition, leaving the remainder for HybriDisk use. This enables the ideal solution for any SSD/HDD combo where we now have a full power SSD boot drive, with the large capacity hard drive getting close to the same speed through HybriDisk.
SPECIFICATIONS
The MyDigitalSSD SC2 M.2 SSD is available in capacities of 32, 64 and 128GB, 128GB being the highest only because this M.2 form factor is presently 2242, which means it is 42mm in length and cannot fit additional memory modules. The SC2 is a M.2 SATA 3 SSD and performance is variable but listed as 530MB/s read and 410MB/s write for the 128GB capacity. Perhaps the most interesting thing about MyDigitalSSD Super Cache 2 SSDs though is that they include a free copy of FNet’s HybriDisk Caching solution.
Power rating for the SC2 is listed at .5W idle and .9W active with a three-year warranty and advanced attributes to include sudden power-off recovery, battery backup function, high and reliable ECC capability up to 24bits/sector, S.M.A.R.T features optimized for SSD, bit error monitoring and management, dynamic and static wear-leveling, dynamic bad block management, SMART commands and additional SSD monitoring.
COMPONENTS
The MyDigitalSSD SC2 128GB M.2 SSD contains the Phison PS3109-S9 four channel SATA 3 controller and contains only two modules of NAND flash memory.
The chosen memory for this SSD is Toshiba 19nm Toggle Mode NAND and each module is 64GB in RAW capacity. Once the SSD is formatted, the total capacity available to the user is 119GB.
As we have already tested the SC2 in our Lenovo Y510 with HybriDisk, we wanted to review it solo on our test bench and, for this, we made the connector transition from M.2 to SATA 3 with a MFactors M.2 adapter card.
As much as many like to see testing in the ideal environment for that device, we always prefer the stay at home method of testing where we are sure we are getting the best scores possible. We prefer our testing to remain unclouded by such things as pre-installed OS, bloatware, and general settings made to do nothing more but confirm compatibility with as large an audience as possible.
Crystal Disk Info is a great tool for displaying the characteristics and health of storage devices. It displays everything from temperatures, to the number of hours the device has been powered, and even to the extent of informing you of the firmware of the device.
There is not really a great deal of information available for the SC2, other than the fact that it is a SATA 3 new SSD and capable of TRIM.
I think the choice of 42mm size is a smart one as it matches the small confines of many current laptops, specifically the latest Lenovo Thinkpads such as the T440x.
It’s $99.99, not $89.99
It’s $89.99…just clicked the link.
And now it’s $80. The mSATA has held steady at $89.99.
However, the M.2 SATA mentioned in this article was $99.99 when I first posted and very recently dropped to $80.
I hope this isn’t asking too much but would be the process or sequence to use this a dual boot/cache ssd? I’m building a system soon, when I’m installing windows would I create say a 60gb partition for windows then install the hybridisk software and just select the other half of the ssd to be the cache? Is it that easy? Would still want to leave ~20% unused for trim?
The SSD is already TRIM compliant so no worries…..and yes it is that easy. Install the SSD and hard drive. Partition the SSD and install Windows. Install Hybridisk and partiton for the remaining SSD logical drive as your cache…simple as that.
Now you have a pure SSD boot and cached hard drive with perfrormance close to that of a SSD.
when i install this, i partition 40gb for my OS and 24gb for the caching but do i stall hybridrive on the OS partition or the other unused (unallocated space) also do i need to make the other space not used for the OS into another volume. please include correct installation details please very interested but this hardware being so new i cant find to much as far as guides or walkthroughs.
Hello,
When we have a 128gb ssd , the optimal partitioning could be like this ?
100 gb for windows and most used programs
20 gb for cache
8 gb for windows cache (like linux partition, if it works for windows?)
Do you have any suggestions ?
Thanks for the reply! I was only eyeing a 120gb drive to use for the OS because I don’t really have the coin for a higher capacity ssd and didn’t want to get caught up in what’s worthy of going on the ssd, continuously uninstalling programs, or moving files to make room. This sounds like great way to use some of that left over space on the ssd to leverage performance from a platter drive; exciting stuff. I’m going to be using the asus maximus vi impact which is mITX and has that additional adapter that you weren’t fond of on your review of the ADATA AXNS360E back in September. Any concern’s there? Thanks again for the reply.
The only reason I wasn’t fond of it was because it was a last minute implementation that limited the size of the M.2 SSD we could use at the time. IN addition, it is limited to a single PCIe lane.
It is still a M.2 SSD solution, however, and if you have the compatible SSD…all the power!
Hi I just bought one of these for my Elitebook 840 G1 with a 500gb hdd and will use as dual boot/cache device. What partition ratio would you advise? is 20gb enough for hdd caching?
Would you also install programs on the ssd or only the OS?
I might go with a 30/40 cache and yes…OS and programs on the SSD.
Hi Les, I got the m.2 drive and managed to migrate the OS (Win 8.1) with EaseUS backup…al working well. I installed Hybrid Disk but it won’t show me the HDD as a master for caching…it only shows the SSD? Any idea why? could it be that the migrations was not successful?
I was considering the 128gb version of this drive as boot drive for a thinkpad t440p. Then I read your review and now it seems that using it as cache may make more sense. Why mess around with having 2 logical drives and restrictions on what can be stored in C:, when you can have almost as good performance using it in cache mode. In which case I can save some money by getting the 64gb version, which should be enough for cache for the 500gb main HDD. What are your thoughts on that?
You could go that route but, IMHO, these drives have a wicked price point. I would favor 64GB for the OS and then the remainder as a cache, rather than 32GB for the OS.
I was thinking 64gb as cache, no separate partition for the OS. That way you keep it simple with only one logical drive.
I’ve just ordered a Lenovo S540 and it comes with a 1 TB HDD (5400 rpm) + a 16 GB M.2 SSD for caching. This leads to several questions related to the SC2 Super Cache 2:
1. Could I swap out the 16 GB M.2 that comes with the Lenovo, replace it with the MyDigitalSSD SC2 Super Cache 2, install the OS and apps on it and use it as the primary boot drive?
2. What’s the difference between the MyDigitalSSD 128GB Super Boot Drive and the MyDigitalSSD SC2 Super Cache 2 42mm SATA III 6G M.2 NGFF M2 SSD Solid State Drive?
3. How reliable is this M.2 SSD in comparison to a Crucial MX100 or a Samsung EVO?
4. Would it just make more sense to pluck the M.2 and HHD from the computer and install a 500 GB Crucial MX100 or a Samsung EVO?
Thanks in advance for any feedback / advice on this.