Toshiba THNSNF512GCSS 512GB SSD review

 

Review: Toshiba THNSNF512GCSS 512GB SSD Reviewed by: Wendy Robertson Provided by: Toshiba UK Model: THNSNF512GCSS Firmware version: FSR1N101

Way back in 1987 Toshiba invented NAND flash memory, yes that is correct, one quarter of a century ago. One wonders if the inventor, Dr. Fujio Masuoka could have envisaged what NAND has become today, and the applications that NAND flash memory is used for. Without NAND, there would be no SD cards, no smart mobile phones, no USB pen drives, and of course no SSDs.

NAND was developed from EEPROM, the big difference from NAND to EEPROM is, that NAND flash can be erased and written in blocks, whereas an EEPROM had to be completely erased before it could be reprogrammed. Of course modern NAND has come a long way in the past 25 years. It has got faster, and smaller.

The SSD I’m looking at today is from the manufacturer who invented NAND, Toshiba. The THNSNF512GCSS, which Toshiba were kind enough to send me for review, is in fact the first SSD to use 19nm toggle mode MLC NAND. The THNSNF range of SSDs is available in capacities of 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The model I will be looking at today is the 512GB version.

Toshiba company information

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

The Toshiba THNSNF512GCSS – 512GB SSD

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

Packaging

The SSD I received was a bare drive, and arrived in a cardboard box, with no markings.

Inside the box

The retail Toshiba THNSNF512GCSS 512GB SSD

Drive top

The top of the unit is made of metal, and as you can see, the review sample had no label.

Drive underside

On the underside of the SSD, I found a label which displays the SSD model number, storage capacity, and indicating that the SSD was manufactured in the Philippines. The label also states that the firmware version is FSXAN102, but our review sample arrived with firmware version FSR1N101, which is most likely a later version of the firmware. The bottom of the case is also made of metal and acts as a heat sink for the SSD controller and NAND.

The case itself is 7mm thick and designed to be housed in a standard 2.5 inch drive bay, or a 3.5 inch drive bay using a converter bracket.

 

Now let’s head to the next page, where we look in more detail at the Toshiba THNSNF512GCSS SSD…..

 

• A closer look at the Toshiba THNSNF512GCSS hardware