The SanDisk X400 is speedy and one of the few entry-level SSDs to actually support hardware encryption.
The SanDisk X400 is speedy and one of the few entry-level SSDs to actually support hardware encryption.
SanDisk X400
Prices of SSDs are at an all-time low, and a great deal of this has to do with the proliferation and widespread adoption of TLC NAND. Triple-level cell (TLC) NAND allows NAND foundries to create higher density and more affordable memory chips. The SanDisk X400 that was announced earlier this year at CES 2016 employs the use of said TLC NAND.
Now, the X400 is targeted mainly at OEMs. However, retailers do offer the X400 as a mainstream level SSD for consumers who are first time upgraders or are seeking a larger capacity SSD at a more affordable price.
Inside, the SanDisk X400 is powered by Marvell’s 88SS1074 controller and utilizes SanDisk’s very own second-generation TLC NAND. For users concerned about security, the X400 even supports hardwarebased 256-bit AES encryption and TCG Opal 2.0. The X400 is available in four capacities - 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB - and come in two form factors - the more typical 2.5-inch form factor and M.2 2280. Both form factors will support the SATA 6Gbps interface.
We tested the 1TB version of the SanDisk X400 and found its performance to be very respectable. It delivers on its performance claims of 545MB/s sequential read speeds and 520MB/s sequential write speeds. Its random access performance was very decent too. Overall, it’s more than a match against comparable TLC NAND-based SSDs like the OCZ Trion 150 SSD and Samsung SSD 850 Evo.
For users concerned about endurance, the SanDisk X400 enjoys a 5-year warranty and the rated TBW of the smallest capacity 128GB drive is 72TB. Over five years, that translates to 40GB a day. Bearing in mind that most users wouldn’t consume more than 20GB of writes per day, we would say that endurance is likely to be a non-issue for most.
Overall, the SanDisk X400 is a good drive for mainstream users, offering a decent blend of performance and features. As an OEM solution, the X400 may not stand out even among SanDisk’s own consumer offerings such as the SSD Plus, Ultra or Extreme Pro series, but if you can find it, it is probably one of the most affordable 1TB SSDs in the market right now.
