Intel announced today its third-generation solid-state drive (SSD) the Intel Solid-State Drive 320 Series (Intel SSD 320 Series), which is based on its 25-nanometer (nm) NAND flash memory.
The Intel SSD 320 replaces and builds on its Intel X25-M SATA SSD, delivering more performance, reliability features as well as higher capacity models.
"Intel designed new quality and reliability features into our SSDs to take advantage of the latest 25nm silicon, so we could deliver cost advantages to our customers," said Pete Hazen, director of marketing for the Intel Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) Solutions Group. "Intel's third generation of SSDs adds enhanced data security features, power-loss management and innovative data redundancy features to once again advance SSD technology. Whether it's a consumer or corporate IT looking to upgrade from a hard disk drive, or an enterprise seeking to deploy SSDs in their data centers, the new Intel SSD 320 Series will continue to build on our reputation of high quality and dependability over the life of the SSD."
The Intel SSD 320 is the next generation of Intel's client product line for use on desktop and notebook PCs. It is targeted for mainstream consumers, corporate IT or PC enthusiasts who would like a performance boost over conventional mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs).
The Intel SSD 320 Series comes in 40 gigabyte (GB), 80GB, 120GB, 160GB and new higher capacity 300GB and 600GB versions. It uses the 3 gigabit-per-second (3gbps) SATA II interface. Continuing to offer high-performing random read and write speeds, which most affect a user's daily computing experience, the Intel SSD 320 produces up to 39,500 input/output operations per second (IOPS) random reads and 23,000 IOPS random writes on its highest-capacity drives. In addition, the company has more than doubled sequential write speeds from its second generation to 220 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) sequential writes and still maintains one of the highest read throughputs at up to 270 MB/s sequential reads.
Intel has architected its third generation using proprietary firmware and controller. In this rendition, Intel creatively uses spare area to deploy added redundancies that will help keep user data protected, even in the event of a power loss. It also includes 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard capabilities on every drive.
Intel SSD 320 prices, based on 1,000-unit quantities, are as follows: 40GB at $89; 80GB at $159; 120GB at $209; 160GB at $289; 300GB at $529 and 600GB at $1,069. Check retailers/e-tailers for consumer pricing. All models include a limited 3-year warranty from Intel.
Another benefit for Intel SSD purchasers is the Intel SSD Toolbox with Intel SSD Optimizer, a free utility which provides Microsoft Windows users with a set of management, information and diagnostic tools to help maintain the health and out-of-box performance of the drive. To help ease the installation process, all Intel SSD users can download the free Intel Data Migration Software to help clone the entire content of a previous storage drive (SSD or HDD) to any Intel SSD.
Intel SSDs can be purchased in the United States from such retailers as Best Buy or Fry's Electronics, plus a variety of resellers, retailers or Internet e-tailers such as Newegg.com or Amazon.com worldwide.
Specifications
- Form Factors: 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch
Capacity:
- 80/160/300 GB (1.8-inch)
- 40/80/120/160/300/600 GB (2.5-inch)
- Components: Intel 25nm NAND Flash Memory Multi-Level Cell (MLC)
- Bandwidth Performance (Iometer Queue Depth 32)
Sustained sequential read: Up to 270 MB/s
Sustained sequential write: Up to 220 MB/s
Read and Write IOPS (Iometer Queue Depth 32)
- Random 4 KB2 reads: Up to 39,500 IOPS
- Random 4 KB2 writes: Up to 23,000 IOPS
Latency (average sequential)
- Read: 75 μs (TYP)
- Write: 90 μs (TYP)
- AES 128-bit Encryption
Compatibility
- Intel SSD Toolbox with Intel SSD Optimizer
- Intel Data Migration Software
- Intel Rapid Storage Technology
- Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets (with SATA 6Gb/s)
- SATA Revision 2.6
- ATA8-ACS
- SSD-enhanced S.M.A.R.T. ATA feature set
- Native Command Queuing (NCQ) command set
- Data Set Management Command Trim attribute
Power Management
- 3.3 V (1.8-inch form factor) or 5 V (2.5-inch form factor) SATA Supply Rail
- SATA interface power management
- OS-aware hot plug/removal
- Enhanced power-loss data protection
Power
- Active (MobileMark 2007 Workload): 150 mW (TYP)
- Idle3: 100 mW (TYP)
Temperature
- Operating: 0o C to 70o C
- Non-Operating: -55o C to 95o C
Reliability
- Uncorrectable Bit Error Rate (UBER): 1 sector per 1016 bits readv
- Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 1,200,000 hours
- Shock (operating and non-operating): 1,500 G/0.5 msec
Vibration
- Operating: 2.17 GRMS (5-700 Hz)
- Non-operating: 3.13 GRMS (5-800 Hz)
Weight
- 1.8-inch form factor: up to 49 grams
- 2.5-inch 7mm form factor: up to 82 grams
- 2.5-inch 9.5mm form factor: up to 88 grams