One the greatest advantages touted for 3D NAND was its ability to create downright massive capacity drives. For example, the new Crucial MX300 is tipping the scales at a whopping 2TB of capacity! However, for the average consumer the other main attribute of 3D NAND, and IMFT 3D NAND in particular, is its ability to create more mainstream-sized solid state drives at price points that were nearly impossible last year. This is because first generation 3D NAND is already cheaper to manufacture on a price per gigabyte basis than the more mature planar NAND.

The most recent beneficiary of this lesser publicized advantage is the ADATA Ultimate SU800. Much like the ground-breaking Crucial MX300, the SU800 series makes use of IMFT (Micron-branded to be specific) 3D TLC NAND. However, unlike the MX300, ADATA has opted for the Silicon Motion SM2258 controller instead of a Marvell or PHISON controller, both of which have been rather popular this past year. This is certainly not the first SSD to use this new entry-level Silicon Motion controller, and it is certainly not a controversial choice since even the Intel 540s uses the SM2258. This controller is actually the direct successor to the SM2256, which powered the ADATA SP550 and a whole host of other entry-level SSDs last year. In either case, it is this combination of a reasonably-priced controller with inexpensive 3D TLC NAND that is rather unique ? for now.