ADATA Ultimate SU800 512GB

The ADATA Ultimate SU800 512GB operates on the SATA III interface and uses the Silicon Motion SM2258 controller, a proven 4-channel architectural standard for mainstream SATA storage. The controller is paired with a dedicated DRAM buffer, distinguishing the SU800 from DRAM-less designs that suffer in random write performance and mixed workloads. The drive employs 3D TLC NAND (historically based on Micron’s floating gate technology) and uses an intelligent SLC caching algorithm to absorb burst writes before folding data into the main array. The enclosure is primarily plastic (insulative rather than highly dissipative), though the SATA bus limits power draw so thermal throttling is rarely observed in standard client workloads. The SU800 has maintained the SM2258 architecture fairly consistently across production.

Key Specifications

• Interface: SATA III (6 Gb/s)
• Controller: Silicon Motion SM2258
• NAND Flash: 3D TLC
• DRAM Cache: Yes (DDR3/DDR4 depending on production batch)
• Sequential Read/Write: 560 MB/s / 520 MB/s
• Error Correction: LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) ECC
• TBW Rating: 400TB (Typical for 512GB capacity in this class)
• Physical: 7mm 2.5" form factor with plastic housing

Hardware Alternatives

• Crucial MX500: closest hardware relative; shares the Silicon Motion SM2258 controller family and historically used similar Micron 3D TLC NAND, representing a slightly more premium implementation of this controller/NAND pairing.
• Samsung 860/870 EVO: direct performance competitor using Samsung’s proprietary controllers and V-NAND; throughput is limited by the SATA ceiling but Samsung’s firmware handles garbage collection and static data management differently.
• Western Digital Blue SA510 512GB: occupies the same performance tier but uses a Marvell controller architecture, offering similar endurance and SATA saturation through different logic paths than the SMI-based SU800.
• SanDisk Ultra 3D: occupies the same performance tier and similarly uses Marvell-based architectures, serving as a functional alternative with different controller/firmware behavior.