Intel is not only content to offer you computer processors and integrated graphics as well, but they are now into the flash memory game with their latest offering, the Intel X-25E Extreme SATA Solid-State Drive. This is their top of the line solid state drive which will target server, workstation and storage systems. Since solid state drives do not have moving parts unlike mechanical drives, you will find it to be able to contain your data in a much more secure manner thanks to the 50nm single-level cell (SLC) NAND flash memory technology used. Any computer system that is equipped with this drive will not suffer from the performance bottlenecks associated with conventional drives. SSDs are also great at reducing the total infrastructure, cooling and energy costs, in order to lower the total cost of ownership for enterprise applications by a projected 500% figure.

According to Intel, their new X25-E SATA SSD is able to increase server, workstation and storage system performance by 100 times when compared to regular hard disk drives as measured in Input/Output Per Second (IOPS). It seems as though a storage model that utilizes SSDs will see a reduction in energy costs by up to five times, which is always plus point these days considering soaring energy prices that don’t seem to drop.

The product was designed for intense computing workloads which benefit primarily from high random read and write performance, as measured in IOPS. Key technical performance specifications of the 32 GB Intel X-25E SATA SSD include 35,000 IOPS (4KB Random Read), 3,300 IOPS (4KB Random Write) and 75 microsecond read latency. This performance, combined with low active power of 2.4 watts, delivers up to 14,000 IOPS per watt for optimal performance/power output. The product also achieves up to 250 megabytes per second (MB/s) sequential read speeds and up to 170 MB/s sequential write speeds, all in a compact 2.5-inch form factor. Intel achieves this breakthrough performance through innovations such as 10-channel NAND architecture with Native Command Queuing, proprietary controller and firmware efficient in advanced wear-leveling and low write amplification. The 32GB X25-E is capable of writing up to 4 petabytes (PB) of data over three-year period (3.7 TB/day), and double that for the 64GB version – delivering outstanding data reliability.

Intel will be offering the 32GB capacity drive for $695, with the 64GB version expected to be available in Q1 2009.

Press Release