Examining the Package and SSD
The GM7 SSD comes in a package that resembles the one used for the previously tested GM7000 SSD. Along with the SSD, the box contains a quick start guide and a single screw that can prove useful if it is not readily available in our motherboard or laptop.
The exterior of the box is well-designed and provides detailed information about the enclosed SSD. It is worth noting that the specifications may differ slightly from those reported in earlier web articles.
In summary, the GM7 SSD has a maximum bandwidth of 7200MB/s read and 6300MB/s write, rather than the previously reported 7400MB/s read and 6700MB/s write. However, the actual performance achieved will depend largely on the device in which the GM7 SSD is installed.
The GM7 is equipped with Acronis software in digital format to facilitate the transfer of old data and operating systems to a new SSD.
The SSD appears to be standard and follows the widely used M.2 2280 standard. It lacks additional features such as graphene pads, but this is not necessary and allows for easy installation in any device that supports M.2 PCIe SSDs.
The PCB features a unique combination of the Maxio MAP1602A, a 12nm ARM-based controller, and YMTC 128-layer TLC NAND, which is not commonly found in other SSDs. Additionally, a pSLC cache is present to enhance operational speed.
In its initial release, the GM7 includes a YMTC flash with 128 layers, but we anticipate a forthcoming version with 232 layers. This update holds the promise of even better performance in the coming months.
We utilized two test platforms to conduct a performance comparison, and the results can be found on the following page.