SSD (Solid State Drive) is a type of storage media that uses flash memory chips to store data. SSDs have advantages over HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) that use rotating magnetic platters, such as higher read/write speeds, lower power consumption, and better endurance.
However, not all SSDs are created equal. There are several generations of SSDs, which are determined by the interface and protocol used to connect the SSD to the computer’s motherboard. The latest generation today is the Gen5 SSD, which uses the PCIe 5.0 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol. Gen5 SSDs are claimed to reach read/write speeds of up to 14,000 MB/s, or about 2 times faster than Gen4 SSDs, which use PCIe 4.0 interfaces and NVMe 1.4 protocols.
Then, what is the difference between a Gen5 SSD and a Gen4 SSD besides speed? Are Gen5 SSDs worth buying? What are the factors to consider when choosing an SSD? This article will answer these questions by going into detail about Gen5 SSDs and Gen4 SSDs, as well as providing some examples of SSD products from both generations.
SSD Interfaces and Protocols
Before discussing the differences between Gen5 SSDs and Gen4 SSDs, we need to understand what SSD interfaces and protocols are, as well as how they affect SSD performance.
An interface is a physical path that connects an SSD with a computer’s motherboard. The interface specifies the number of data lanes that can be used by the SSD, as well as the maximum data transfer rate per lane. The more lanes and the higher the speed per lane, the higher the bandwidth available to the SSD.
Protocols are communication rules used by SSDs and motherboards to send and receive data. Protocols define how data is encoded, sent, received, and decoded by SSDs and motherboards. The protocol also defines the features and functions supported by SSDs, such as power management, encryption, and performance optimization.
Gen5 SSDs and Gen4 SSDs use the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface, which is the most common interface standard used by computer components today. PCIe has several revisions, which offer increased bandwidth and features over previous revisions. Gen5 SSDs use PCIe 5.0, while Gen4 SSDs use PCIe 4.0.
PCIe 5.0 is the latest revision of PCIe, which was released in 2021. PCIe 5.0 offers up to 32 GB/s bandwidth per lane, or double that of PCIe 4.0, which offers up to 16 GB/s bandwidth per lane. PCIe 5.0 also has new features, such as Forward Error Correction (FEC), which can improve the reliability and efficiency of data transfer.
Gen5 SSDs and Gen4 SSDs also use the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) protocol, which is a special protocol designed for flash-based SSDs. NVMe leverages PCIe features, such as parallel data lines and command queues, to improve SSD performance. NVMe also has several revisions, which add new features and functionality from previous revisions. Gen5 SSDs use NVMe 2.0, while Gen4 SSDs use NVMe 1.4.
NVMe 2.0 is the latest revision of NVMe, which was released in 2021. NVMe 2.0 offers new features, such as Zoned Namespaces (ZNS), that can improve SSD capacity, durability, and efficiency. NVMe 2.0 also supports legacy features, such as End-to-End Data Protection, Host Memory Buffer, and Thermal Management.