Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB SSD Review

Review: Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB SSD
Reviewed by: Wendy
Robertson

Provided by: Corsair
Model: CSSD-N240GBGTX-BK
Firmware version: M206

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In my last two reviews I have looked at budget orientated
SSDs. In this review I'm back at the performance and "state of the
art" market segment of SSDs.

In the last couple of years, Corsair have maintained a high
profile in the SSD market with SSDs based on SandForce and Marvell SSD
controllers, including high performance models using very fast toggle mode MLC
NAND. The only slight problem with using either a SandForce or Marvell SSD
controller is, it's a very crowded market place, and quite difficult to stand
out from the crowd.

For the Neutron series of SSDs, Corsair have gone to a
relatively unknown manufacturer for the SSD controller, Link_A_Media Devices
(LAMD). Link_A_Media Devices is not a new company, and they have been making
enterprise grade SSD controllers and HDD controllers for many years. However,
the Corsair Neutron is not an enterprise grade SSD. The Neutron is aimed at the
high performance consumer market. This requires a different performance profile
from the enterprise market, which inevitability requires a consumer grade SSD
controller. Link_A_Media Devices’ answer to this was to develop a consumer
grade SSD controller, the LM87800. 

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Only a few short months ago, LAMD were acquired by SK Hynix,
so obviously SK Hynix saw something very attractive in the LAMD SSD controller.
In this review I will be taking a look at the Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB SSD,
which Corsair kindly sent me. The difference between Neutron and Neutron GTX is
in the type of NAND used. The Neutron uses ONFI2 MLC NAND while the Neutron GTX
uses the faster toggle mode NAND from Toshiba. 

Corsair company information

Corsair should need no introduction, but for those of you
who would like to find out more about Corsair, you can do so at their website.


The Corsair GTX - 240GB SSD

Now it’s time to take a look at the drive itself and what it
came shipped with.

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Packaging


Complete package


Package front


Package rear

Inside the box

The package contained the Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB SSD, a 2.5
inch to 3.5 inch converter bracket, two packs of fixing screws, and a warranty
information booklet. The contents are housed in a box, with the SSD itself
further protected by a snap open and close plastic container.


Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB SSD

The top of the Neutron GTX is made of metal, and we can also
see that the SSD is manufactured in Taiwan.


Drive underside

On the underside of the drive we can see the SATA power and
data connectors, and four drive mounting holes. The bottom of the case is made
from strong metal, which also acts as a heat sink for the LM87800 SSD processor.

Now let's head to the next page, where we look in more
detail at the Corsair Neutron GTX SSD.....

 

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