Intel Announces Third-Generation SSD: Intel® Solid-State Drive 320 Series
Features Enhanced Performance/Reliability, Larger Capacities and 25nm
Intel® NAND Flash Memory
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
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Third-generation Intel® SSD 320 Series on 25-nm NAND flash memory
offers 40-, 80-, 120-, 160-GB plus higher capacity 300- and 600GB
options.
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Advanced architecture enables robust, reliable SSDs with enhanced
security features for desktop/notebook PCs or server data center
storage.
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Performance, reliability upgrades enhance solid line of
high-performing SSDs with up to $100 price drop over current Intel®
X25-M SSD model.
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Intel Corporation announced today its highly anticipated
third-generation solid-state drive (SSD) the Intel® Solid-State Drive
320 Series (Intel®
SSD 320 Series). Based on its industry-leading 25-nanometer (nm)
NAND flash memory, the Intel SSD 320 replaces and builds on its
high-performing Intel® X25-M SATA SSD. Delivering more performance and
uniquely architected reliability features, 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.
Intel SSD 320 for Data Center Storage -- Ideal for server and data center storage, the Intel(R) SSD 320 third-generation client SSDs add enhanced data security, power-loss management and innovative data redundancy features to once again advance SSD technology. (Photo: Business Wire)
"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 substantial
performance boost over conventional mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs).
An SSD is more rugged, uses less power and reduces the HDD bottleneck to
speed PC processes such as boot up and the opening of files and favorite
applications. In fact, an upgrade from an HDD to an Intel SSD can give
users one of the single-best performance boosts, providing an up to 66
percent gain in overall system responsiveness.1
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.
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. This greatly improves a user's multitasking
capabilities. For example, a user can easily play background music or
download a video, while working on a document with no perceivable slow
down.
Already one of the most solid-performing SSDs over time, Intel continues
to raise the bar on SSD reliability in the way it has architected its
third generation, using proprietary firmware and controller, to further
demonstrate that not all solid-state drives are created equal. 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, to help protect personal data in the event of theft or
loss.
"Solid-state drives continue to be one of the hottest trends in
computing," said Bernard Luthi, vice president of marketing, Web
management and customer service at leading e-retailer Newegg.com. "Intel
remains a top brand because of its consistent performance and extremely
low return rate. We are sure customers will welcome the new higher
capacity drives, and now is a great time for consumers to upgrade their
PC to a fast new SSD."
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.
"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."
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 powerful 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. To
download the multimedia press kit go to www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/ssd.
A special enterprise addendum for data center customers and more
information on Intel SSDs can be found at www.intel.com/go/ssd.
Follow Intel SSDs on Twitter: @intelssd,
Facebook: Intel
Solid State Drive (Official) or communities.intel.com.
About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The
company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the
foundation for the world's computing devices. Additional information
about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com
and blogs.intel.com.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the
United States and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
1 Based on Intel research and benchmarking utilizing PCMark
Vantage comparing 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor (3MB L3
Cache, 2.30 GHz) with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and Intel®
Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel® HM65 Express chipset on
Lenovo* IdeaPad Z470, Graphics Intel® HD Graphics 3000 and driver
8.15.10.2246, BIOS Lenovo 4ACN16WW with default settings, Intel® INF
9.2.0.1016, Memory 4GB (2x2GB) Dual-channel Micron* MT16JSF25664HY-1G1D1
DDR3-1333, Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 10.1.0.1008, Microsoft*
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 6.1 Build 7600 with DirectX 11 on NTFS file
system, Display size 14.1-inch, resolution 1366x768 (32-bit), comparing
hard disk Hitachi* Travelstar HTS723232L9A360 320GB 7,200RPM SATA2
versus Intel® SSD320 SSDSA2BW300G3 300GB SATA2 FW 4PC10302.
Software and workloads used in performance tests may have been optimized
for performance only on Intel microprocessors. Performance tests, such
as PCMark Vantage, are measured using specific computer systems,
components, software, operations and functions. Any change to any of
those factors may cause the results to vary. You should consult other
information and performance tests to assist you in fully evaluating your
contemplated purchases, including the performance of that product when
combined with other products.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6660598&lang=en
for Intel Corporation
Deborah Paquin, 916-984-1921
debpaquin@strategiccom.biz
Robert
Manetta, 408-653-3683
robert.i.manetta@intel.com
Source: Intel Corporation
News Provided by Acquire Media
Released Mar 28, 2011 • 12:00 AM EDT
