| Brand | Micron |
|---|---|
| Model | RealSSD C400 |
| Capacity | 256GB |
| Usage Class | Client |
| Host Interface | SATA 6Gb/s |
|---|---|
| Total Interface Bandwidth | 6 Gb/s |
| Form Factor | mSATA |
|---|
| NAND Flash | 25nm MLC |
|---|---|
| Drive Writes Per Day | |
| Total Bytes Written | 72 TBW |
| Sequential Read | 500 MB/s |
|---|---|
| Sequential Write | 260 MB/s |
| Random Read IOPS | 45000 |
| Random Write IOPS | 50000 |
| Average Latency | 55 μs |
| Mean Time Between Failures | 1.2 Million Hours |
|---|---|
| Uncorrectable Bit Error Rate | 1.0×10⁻¹⁷ |
| Power Loss Protection | No |
The Micron RealSSD C400 256GB (MTFDDAT256MAM-1K1AB) is best suited for read-intensive server boot, VDI image, and CDN/cache-tier workloads where its SATA 6Gb/s interface, 500/260 MB/s sequential throughput, and up to 45,000/50,000 IOPS deliver distinctly stronger application responsiveness than typical entry SATA SSDs. Built on 25nm MLC NAND with 72 TBW endurance, it offers a more durable and latency-stable choice for always-on infrastructure than commodity client-grade drives, especially in environments that need predictable mixed-read performance at moderate capacity.
With an endurance rating of 72 TBW, the MTFDDAT256MAM-1K1AB can sustain about 20 GB of writes per day for 10 years, or roughly 39 GB per day over 5 years, which is more than sufficient for typical OS, boot, configuration, and general read-centric embedded workloads. In practical terms, for use as a system drive in industrial or enterprise appliances with moderate daily write activity, this level of endurance supports long-term, worry-free operation. In reliability terms, the drive is specified at 1.2 million hours MTBF and an UBER of 1.0E-15, meaning it is designed for dependable operation with a very low probability of unrecoverable bit errors during normal use. This model does not include power-loss protection (PLP), so while it is well suited to applications with stable power or upstream backup power design, systems that require protection for in-flight write data during sudden power failure should consider that at the platform level.
1. The SATA 6Gb/s interface provides broad server compatibility and straightforward deployment, making it ideal for enterprise refresh projects that need stable performance without platform changes.
2. With sequential read performance reaching the practical limit of SATA, this drive speeds up backup restores, log replay, and large-file access in data-centric workloads.
3. Its strong random read capability helps databases, virtualization clusters, and boot-intensive environments respond faster under highly fragmented I/O patterns.
4. The rated DWPD endurance is built for sustained enterprise write activity, giving IT teams more predictable lifespan and lower replacement risk in 24/7 operation.
5. Built on 25nm MLC NAND and backed by microsecond-class typical latency, the drive delivers a balanced mix of durability, consistency, and fast response for latency-sensitive business applications.
For MPN MTFDDAT256MAM-1K1AB, the closest lower capacity in the same enterprise SSD family is 128GB, and the next higher capacity is 512GB. In this class, sequential read/write performance and random IOPS are typically very close across these three capacities, with only minor variation under specific workloads. The 256GB model is the sweet-spot capacity in this series. Compared with 128GB, it gives much better headroom for OS images, logs, patches, and moderate application growth. Compared with 512GB, it usually delivers the best balance of acquisition cost, usable endurance, and enterprise-grade performance consistency. It is especially well suited for small-to-mid virtualization clusters, such as hosting boot volumes and utility workloads for around 40 to 60 general-purpose virtual machines.
Q: Is MTFDDAT256MAM-1K1AB suitable for a write-heavy database server?
A: Not ideally. With 25nm MLC NAND, 72TBW endurance, and no power loss protection, this 256GB SATA SSD is better suited for read-intensive or mixed-use workloads than write-heavy database servers.
Q: How many full drive writes per day can it actually endure over its warranty period?
A: Based on 72TBW and 256GB capacity, it supports about 281 full drive writes total. Assuming a 5-year warranty, that equals roughly 0.15 DWPD, which is relatively low for heavy-write applications.
Q: Does it include power loss protection (PLP) and why is that critical?
A: No, it does not include PLP. Power loss protection helps preserve in-flight data and metadata during sudden outages, which is especially important for transactional systems, databases, and enterprise storage reliability.
Q: What RAID level is recommended for this SSD?
A: For most business deployments, RAID 1 or RAID 10 is recommended to improve redundancy and maintain performance. RAID 5 may work for read-focused environments but adds write overhead and rebuild risk.