Crucial MX100 256GB Solid State Drive Review

A Closer Look

Built in a to a 7mm frame, the MX100, aside from a different sticker, is identical to any other drive that we’ve from Crucial of late. Ok so we don’t have a trendy design, but we have to remember this is a budget drive, and sticking to parts that are already in-hand is part of the process.

Between the 256GB and 512GB models of the MX100 there is only a single identifier to tell the two drives apart – namely the product number.

Lifting the lid on the MX100, we see where the controller is positioned, with a heatpad in place to keep the controller and memory cool during operation.

Like to 512GB drive, the 256GB model sees eight NAND packages from Micron on the upper side of the board again running a 16nm architecture. The only variance comes with the capacity of each package, with each holding 16GB of data as opposed to 32GB on the 512GB model.

Aside from the alterations to the NAND, the controller and DRAM stay the same as before with 512MB DDR3 accompanying a Marvell 88SS9189 controller running custom firmware for the MX100 series. 

The rear of the PCB displays eight more 16GB NAND packages, making up the 256GB RAW capacity.