Intel brings 600GB third-generation SSD

SANTA CLARA, USA: Chip-maker Intel Corporation announced its third-generation solid-state drive (SSD) the Intel Solid-State Drive 320 Series (Intel SSD 320 Series).

The Intel SSD 320 comes in six variants, 40GB, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, 300GB and 600GB.

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Based on its 25-nanometer (nm) NAND flash memory, the Intel SSD 320 replaces and builds on its high-performing Intel X25-M SATA SSD.

The company says that the new Intel SSD 320 offers new higher capacity models, while taking advantage of cost benefits from its 25nm process with an up to 30 percent price reduction over its current generation.

“Solid-state drives continue to be one of the hottest trends in computing. 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, 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."

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 to support an SSD upgrade for the more than 1 billion SATA II PCs installed throughout the world.

The company claims that the Intel SSD 320 produces up to 39,500 input/output operations per second (IOPS) random reads and 23,000 IOPS random writes.

Moreover, 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 a read throughputs at up to 270 MB/s sequential reads, adds the company.

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.

“With recent announcements, we have expanded our SSD product line and now offer both consumers and computer OEMs more SSD choices,” said Tom Rampone, vice president and general manager, Intel NVM Solutions Group. “We see the Intel SSD 320 as a solid advancement to our SSD roadmap, and will continue to upgrade and refresh our SSD product line as we add more enterprise options for our business customers throughout the year.”