Why does NVMe provide better performance than SAS? (Multiple choice)

Question

Options

• AThe CPU can directly access devices through NVMe. There is no need for SAS protocol
• BInteraction times of the NVMe protocols are only half that of the SAS protocols
• CThe NVMe architecture supports increased I/O concurrency
• DNone of the above

• A
  71% (39)
• D
  29% (16)

Explanation

All three options - A, B, and C - correctly identify genuine performance advantages of NVMe over SAS. NVMe connects directly over PCIe, allowing the CPU to communicate with storage without the overhead layers required by the SAS/SCSI protocol stack, which is why A is correct. NVMe's streamlined command set has significantly lower interaction latency than SAS - the protocol overhead is reduced so that round-trip command times are a fraction of those in SAS, making B correct. NVMe also supports tens of thousands of parallel I/O queues, each with thousands of commands, compared to SAS's single queue model, enabling far greater concurrency as stated in C. Option D is wrong simply because A, B, and C are all valid - NVMe beats SAS across CPU accessibility, latency, and queue depth simultaneously.

Memory tip: Think of NVMe as a highway with thousands of lanes (queues) running directly into the city (CPU), while SAS is a single-lane road that must pass through multiple toll booths (protocol layers) first - fewer stops, more lanes, faster traffic.

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