Yes, SSD cache can matter, but “cache” refers to different mechanisms. Onboard controller DRAM and Host Memory Buffer (HMB) help manage address-mapping information; NAND SLC cache is a separate, faster-write mechanism. Their effects depend on the exact SSD and workload. For a useful comparison, look beyond whether a drive is “DRAM-less”: check random-I/O performance and sustained write speeds after any fast NAND cache fills.
What does “cache” mean on an SSD?
The term covers several things, and they should not be treated as interchangeable. Controller DRAM is memory on the SSD; HMB borrows a portion of the host system’s memory on compatible drives; SLC cache uses NAND flash in a faster mode. Each mechanism has a different role.
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Onboard controller DRAM
DRAM is a memory component on the SSD. CORSAIR describes it as holding indexed metadata and a map that helps the controller locate data in NAND. Samsung Semiconductor separately describes write cache as volatile memory that queues write requests from the operating system. These are distinct functions: the presence of DRAM does not, by itself, establish that a drive uses it as a large cache for user data.
Host Memory Buffer (HMB)
A compatible DRAM-less NVMe SSD can request a portion of the computer’s system memory for its use. That memory is host DRAM, not a DRAM chip installed on the SSD. In experiments on commercial drives, a 2020 PLOS ONE study found that the tested drives mainly used HMB to cache address-mapping tables. The study found some I/O improvement with HMB, but its findings apply to the drives and methods evaluated, not every HMB design.
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NAND SLC cache
SLC cache uses part of the SSD’s NAND in a faster operating mode. It is separate from both controller DRAM and HMB. It can help a drive deliver faster writes in a burst, but that peak does not necessarily describe performance after the cache fills. For repeated or large transfers, look for sustained-write results beyond the fast-cache period.
Does an SSD need DRAM?
No single label gives a reliable verdict. A drive with controller DRAM may have an advantage for some workloads, but a DRAM-less drive is not automatically slow. HMB can help compatible NVMe drives, yet it does not make every drive perform like an otherwise comparable model with onboard DRAM.
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- High-Speed Performance: Utilizes 3D NAND flash technology and SLC caching to deliver read speeds up to 550 MB/s and write speeds up to 500 MB/s, ensuring quick data access and transfer.
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The 2020 PLOS ONE study reported worse I/O performance for its evaluated DRAM-less drives than for drives with controller DRAM in many results. It also noted that SSD internals and firmware are often proprietary. The study therefore supports a qualified conclusion—not a universal rule about every model.
KIOXIA’s 2018 explainer says removing DRAM generally degrades read and write performance, while also presenting HMB as capable of achieving equivalent performance. That is a vendor technology claim; the study’s results on its tested drives are more specific evidence, not proof that HMB always closes the gap.
Rank #3
- Fast start up, loading and file transfers
- More reliable and durable than a hard drive
- Multiple capacities with space for applications or a hard drive replacement
How do DRAM, HMB, and SLC cache compare?
| Mechanism | Where it is | What the cited sources establish | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controller DRAM | On the SSD | CORSAIR describes indexed metadata and NAND address mapping; Samsung Semiconductor describes volatile memory queuing OS write requests. | Exact model behavior and workload-specific random-I/O results. |
| HMB | In host system memory, accessed by a compatible DRAM-less NVMe SSD | The 2020 study found the evaluated drives mainly used it for address mapping and saw some I/O improvement. | NVMe compatibility, host/OS support, and tests of the exact drive. |
| NAND SLC cache | In the SSD’s NAND, operated in a faster mode | The study discusses SLC NAND as a separate caching and write-enhancement mechanism. | How much data can be written quickly and sustained speed after the cache fills. |
In that study, HMB sizes were configured from 8 MB to 480 MB on two evaluated drives, while a third supported 64 MB. Those are experimental settings and device capabilities reported in 2020, not an industry-wide specification. The paper also cites 0.1% of total SSD capacity as a mapping-table requirement for page-level address mapping; this is background context, not a measured performance gain for a consumer drive.
Is a DRAM-less SSD slower for everyday use?
It depends on the specific drive and what you do. Ordinary boot, application, or game use is not the same workload as frequent small random operations or repeated large file transfers. A DRAM-less model with HMB may be suitable for some uses, but the label alone cannot tell you how it compares with another SSD.
Rank #4
- 3D NAND flash are applied to deliver high transfer speeds
- Remarkable transfer speeds that enable faster bootup and improved overall system performance. The advanced SLC Cache Technology allows performance boost and longer lifespan
- 7mm slim design suitable for Ultrabooks and Ultra-slim notebooks.
- 3-year limited warranty. (Please register your product via SP official website to get the complete manufacturer warranty services, product support and more.)
For a concrete example of the terminology, Samsung announced the 980 in 2021 as a DRAM-less M.2 NVMe SSD with HMB. Samsung rated it at up to 3,500 MB/s sequential read and 3,000 MB/s sequential write, and listed 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB capacities with PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 / NVMe 1.4. These are manufacturer specifications from that announcement, not independently verified or guaranteed real-world results, and they do not establish how all DRAM-less drives perform.
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Use evidence for the exact model and configuration rather than ranking drives by a single cache label.
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- Match the workload. Decide whether you care most about booting and app launches, many small random operations, or repeated large transfers.
- Check sustained writes. Look for performance after any fast NAND cache is exhausted, not only the peak burst figure.
- Compare mapping-related performance. Check whether a drive has onboard DRAM or uses HMB, then consult model-specific tests for the random-I/O tasks that matter to you.
- Confirm the exact configuration. Capacity, NAND type, controller and firmware revision, and thermal conditions can affect results. Verify the precise SKU rather than assuming all capacities in a product family behave identically.
- Check compatibility. Confirm the form factor, interface, available slot, and support for HMB in the host system and operating system.
- Weigh value using current information. Compare workload-specific tests, warranty, and current price. A cache label is not a substitute for that comparison.
Benchmark results can vary with the test tool and system configuration. No single performance percentage describes the benefit or penalty of SSD cache across products and workloads.
Quick Recap
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