Surface book 2 15 inch 256G super low wirte speed

Anonymous
2017-12-18T02:23:09+00:00

My surface book 2 (15 inch, i7, 16G, 256G ssd) shows high read speed (~3000 mb/s), but super low write speed (~330 mb/s).  I returned my 1st one due to this super low write speed, but 2nd one also show almost same benchmark speed. Based on other reviews, these numbers are consistently reported in 256G ssd model. I wonder if this write speed is normal or it can be improved by firmware update later. If this write speed is normal...why MS used this ssd?. 300mb/s write speed is much slower than my 2yr old surface pro 4 256G (~1000mb/s) and 3yr old 256G ssd(~800mb/s) in my desktop....

Surface | Surface Book | Power and battery

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-31T15:34:20+00:00

    meanwhile my support agent wrote:

    Hi Pawel,

    Good day! As of this moment, we don't have yet receive any updates from Microsoft regarding this case. No worries, they might release updates for your Surface device that will fix this issue. I'll keep you posted if updates will be possible.

    Thanks!

    Best regards,

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-30T08:07:01+00:00

    Yep, after waiting about a week and a half, Microsoft support has stated this to me:

    " After examining the test results provided it seems that your device is performing within regular performance standards. There would be no additional changes that we would be able to make to driver/ software on your device to increase speeds as current firmware is up to date.

    Since there is nothing much we can do in this case. We would be moving forward to archiving of the case. "

    I have insisted on further testing, but doubt it will happen.

    I know that it isn't a massive issue, but this kind of performance on a device that I paid over $3,500 AUD isn't acceptable to me.

    If the SSD was easily removable, then I would just upgrade it, even though I would still be upset that after paying so much money I still have to spend more for faster speeds, but instead, upgrading it is basically not an option until it is out of warranty and I build up the courage to take apart a device as difficult to take apart as this.

    I so very hope that this isn't an issue with the next model Surface Book. And hopefully it is at least easily removable...

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-19T08:36:54+00:00

    Microsoft support will not help you, they are clueless.

    The SSD used in the Surface Book 2 is PM961 (MZVLW256HEHP), Samsung is the manufacturer but they are notresponsible for this issue, it's an OEM drive - Microsoft is fully responsible for its implementation and performance. This is why Samsung don't provide any support, they only do this for SSDs they sell to consumers.

    The specifications for that drive is here: https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/ssd/client-ssd/MZVLW256HEHP/

    It has been manufactured with a capability of 2800 MB/s Seq. read and 1100 MB/s seq. write. Microsoft has implemented it in such a  way as to get far worse seq. write than the drive is capable of. This could happen in one of four ways:

    1. Microsoft wrote the driver, either badly or with a bug.
    2. Microsoft made the circuit board and controller on the Surface Book 2, which was poorly done or done outside of recommended specifications (hampering performance).
    3. They asked Samsung to make a cheaper and slower version, and purchased that.
    4. Microsoft deliberately throttles performance in order to save on battery and reduce heat. 

    So which is it, Microsoft?

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-19T08:19:17+00:00

    I too have spoken with Microsoft Support as I have recently purchased a Surface Book 2 15 Inch 256GB and have also noticed slow SSD speeds.

    My Microsoft representative I spoke with (Emily) also spoke with a Samsung representative and apparently the Samsung rep couldn't even find the model SSD that is in the Surface Book 2. I will be hearing back tomorrow and will keep this post updated.

    Even in Samsung Magician, it says that it is not supported and when you look at the details of the drive, even the manufacturer is UNKNOWN, even though it has SAMSUNG in the name lol.

    After some research of my own, I found a reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/7bfgf7/ymmv\_surface\_book\_2\_demo\_units\_are\_now\_at\_best\_buy/dpk9wra 

    He says the drive is a PM-951 and after finding you can buy one on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PM951-256GB-Solid-MZVLV256HCHP-00000/dp/B01DTXUT0K ), it says the specs are 'up to 1000 MB/s reads and up to 280 MB/s writes'.

    These specs still don't add up to what I am getting (2500 - 3100 MB/s reads and 330 MB/s writes), so its weird.

    Its like the Reads are operating at what you would expect from a x4 NVMe drive, but the Writes are operating at what you would expect from a poor SATA SSD.

    I also tried the SAMSUNG NVM Express Driver 3.0 and no change.

    All the latest Windows updates are installed.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-08-14T13:53:55+00:00

    I talked with Microsoft Support and they said that they are aware and working on it yet I bet that canned answer from some support guide :)

    I got SB2 replacement and surprise surprise, same slow speeds ...

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