Toshiba Unveils XG5 High-Performance NVMe SSD Featuring 64-Layer BiCS 3D Flash Memory

by Marco Chiappetta — Monday, May 29, 2017, 09:00 AM EDT

We gave you a glimpse of an unnamed Toshiba NVMe SSD at Dell EMC World a few weeks back, featuring 64-layer BiCS 3D flash memory. We couldn’t reveal much about the drive then, but Toshiba is lifting the veil on it today, and is announcing a new family of drives dubbed the XG5, which offer a combination of high performance and high density, at what should be competitive price points.

Toshiba’s BiCS flash memory employs a three-dimensional (3D) stacked cell structure that is designed for high density applications, but the technology also offers higher endurance than typical 3D NAND flash memory. Because triple pages can be programmed simultaneously, BiCS 3D flash memory is capable of higher performance as well, and the unique structure of the 64-layer BiCS 3D flash memory allows Toshiba to offer XG5 drives in capacities of up to 1TB, using a single package.

Model	XG5
Form Factor	M.2 2280 (Single Sided Module)
Memory	64-Layer BiCS FLASH
Capacity	Up to 1TB
Sequential Read	Up to 3GB/s (2.9GiB/s)
Sequential Write	Up to 2.1GB/s (2GiB/s)
Physical	PCIe Base Spec. Revision 3.1a
Maximum Speed	32 GT/s (Gen 3x4 Lane)
Command Set	NVMe Rev. 1.2.1
Active Power: Read	< 4.6W typ.
Active Power: Write	<3.5 W typ.
L1.2 (non-operation mode)	<3mW typ.
Dimensions	22mm x 80mm x 2.23mm
MTTF	1.5M Hours

The NVMe XG5 series' specifications are rather impressive. The drives will conform to the M.2 2280 "gumstick" form factor and offer sequential read and write performance of 2.9GB/s and 2.1GB/s, respectively. Typical read power is under 4.6W, while low-power L1.2 mode comes in at under 3mW, typically.

Toshiba XG5 solid state drives will initially be available in capacities up to 1TB and will target a variety of systems, from mainstream PCs, to thin and light notebooks, and enthusiast-class desktops and laptops. The Toshiba XG5, however, will not be sold at retail – they are destined for OEMs and system builders at this time, but consumer drives featuring similar technology are in the works.

Tags: SSD, Storage, Toshiba, nvme, bics, m.2

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com