| 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-1K2) is a strong fit for read-intensive virtual desktop, boot-drive, and application-caching workloads, where its SATA 6Gb/s interface, 500/260 MB/s sequential performance, and notably high 45,000/50,000 random read/write IOPS deliver much stronger system responsiveness than typical client SATA SSDs of its generation. With 25nm MLC NAND and 72 TBW endurance, it offers a well-balanced combination of sustained mixed-IO performance and write durability, making it a practical choice for engineers who need enterprise-like consistency in space- and power-constrained server nodes.
With an endurance rating of 72 TBW, this 256GB SSD can comfortably support typical OS, boot, and general office workloads for many years, especially in read-heavy or light-to-moderate write environments. In practical terms, for use as a system drive rather than a heavy continuous-write application drive, this level of endurance is generally sufficient for long service life under normal business usage. Its specified UBER of 1.0E-15 indicates a very low unrecoverable bit error rate, helping support dependable data reads in day-to-day operation and aligning with expectations for stable storage performance. This model does not include power-loss protection, so it is best deployed in systems with controlled shutdown behavior or upstream power protection, while its 1.2 million-hour MTBF still reflects a solid overall reliability profile for standard embedded and commercial applications.
1. The SATA 6Gb/s interface ensures broad drop-in compatibility with mainstream enterprise servers and storage arrays, simplifying upgrades without changing the existing platform.
2. With 500 MB/s sequential read performance, the drive accelerates boot volumes, log replay, and large-file access in read-focused business applications.
3. Its 45,000 random read IOPS capability helps databases and virtualized environments respond faster under highly concurrent small-block access patterns.
4. Built on 25nm MLC NAND, the SSD provides a balanced mix of endurance, data integrity, and cost efficiency for always-on enterprise workloads.
5. A typical latency of 55 µs supports more predictable application response times, which is critical for transactional systems and latency-sensitive infrastructure.
Reference capacities in the same series: Lower capacity: 128GB, typically MPN MTFDDAT128MAM-1K2 Higher capacity: 512GB, typically MPN MTFDDAT512MAM-1K2 At 256GB, this SSD sits in the sweet spot of the family. Compared with the 128GB model, it gives meaningfully better headroom for OS images, logs, swap, and application growth, reducing early capacity pressure in enterprise deployments. Compared with the 512GB option, it preserves nearly the same enterprise-class sequential and random performance profile while delivering a more efficient cost point per drive. It is best suited for medium-scale virtualization clusters, such as boot and utility storage for about 25 to 40 infrastructure or application VMs.
Q: Is MTFDDAT256MAM-1K2 suitable for a write-heavy database server?
A: Not ideally. With 25nm MLC NAND, 72TB TBW, and relatively low endurance, this model is better suited for read-intensive or mixed workloads than sustained write-heavy database server applications.
Q: How many full drive writes per day can it actually endure over its warranty period?
A: Based on 72TB TBW and 256GB capacity, it supports about 281 full drive writes total. Assuming a 5-year warranty, that equals roughly 0.15 DWPD.
Q: Does it include power loss protection (PLP) and why is that critical?
A: No, it does not include PLP. Power loss protection is critical in enterprise environments because it helps prevent data corruption, metadata loss, and in-flight write failure during sudden outages.
Q: What RAID level is recommended for this SSD?
A: RAID 1 or RAID 10 is generally recommended, depending on capacity and performance needs. These levels provide redundancy and better data protection, especially since this SSD does not support PLP.