Klevv CRAS C925 2TB SSD Review

1. Introduction2. Klevv CRAS C925 2TB3. Testing Methodology4. CrystalDiskMark5. ATTO Disk Benchmark6. AS SSD7. 128KB Sequential Performance8. 4K Random Read v QD Performance9. 4K Random Write v QD Performance10. 4K 70/30 Mixed Performance11. 4K Random Performance QD1-QD812. Throughput13. PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark14. 3DMark Storage Benchmark 15. Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker Official Benchmark16. Temperatures17. Real Life File Testing18. Closing Thoughts19. View All Pages

Perhaps better known for its large range of memory modules, Klevv also has an impressive range of SSDs covering 2.5in SATA, Gen4 and Gen5 M.2 formats. The latest drive to be added to the ‘C' range of Gen4 SSDs is the CRAS C925, available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities.

A Maxiotech MAP1602A 4-channel controller sits at the heart of the CRAS C925. A DRAM-less design, the MAP1602A uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 technology, which uses system memory instead of a dedicated cache chip and uses Dynamic SLC cache writing technology. Built on a 12nm process, the MAP1602A uses ARM Cortex-R5 architecture with a fast 2400 MT/s flash interface which helps performance.

The controller supports Sequential performance speeds of up to 7,400MB/s and up to 6,500MB/s for reads and writes respectively. Random 4K performance is rated as up to 1,000,000 IOPS for both reads and writes.  For the 2TB version of the CRAS C925, Klevv has paired the MAP1602A with two 1TB packages of 238-Layer 3D TLC NAND.

Klevv rates the performance of the 2TB CRAS C925 as per the maximum speeds supported by the MAP1602A – up to 7,400MB/s and 6,500MB/s for Sequential reads and writes respectively and 1M IOPS for random writes although random reads for the drive are rated down a bit at up to 7,000 IOPS.

Using the default CrystalDiskMark 8 tests we couldn't quite hit the official maximums for Sequential performance, the best we saw was 7,347MB/s for reads and 6,462MB/s for writes. Switching over to the compressible data test we could confirm the official read figure with a test result of 7,438.81MB/s but the write performance at 6,024.12MB/s dropped back even further from the official figure.

When it came to random performance we couldn't get close to the official figures with our 4-threaded tests. The best random read figure we saw was 438,191 IOPS at QD16. Writes were even further away from the official figure at 337,936 IOPS (QD32). However, switching over to the default Peak Performance Profile in CrystalDiskMark 8 we could confirm the official random read figure and indeed better it by a decent margin with a test result of 853,261 IOPS. We still couldn't confirm the random writes but got a good deal closer to it at 607,320 IOPS.

To help keep the CRAS C925 cool Klevv uses a combination of enhanced thermal management, including thermal throttling and a thin aluminium heatsink. The interesting bit is that this comes as a DIY stick-on option. The drive did get slightly warm under heavy and prolonged benchmarking but we didn't see any sign of thermal throttling so have no cause for complaint.

The Klevv CRAS C925 comes with an official license for Acronis True Image HD which is downloadable from the Klevv website.

We don't have a UK price or buy link, but the C925 2TB is listed on Amazon for $108 HERE.

Pros

• Overall performance.
• Endurance.
• Bundled aluminium heatsink.

Cons

• Write speeds in some benchmark tests.
• DRAM-less design.
• Model line-up stops at 2TB.

KitGuru says: Klevv's CRAS C925 offers decent all-round performance and, for everyday use, the bundled aluminium heatsink works fine although you may want to ramp up to a 3rd party cooler for sustained heavy load work.

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