Intel's speedy SSDs might be cheap enough to include in every enthusiast rig!
Intel have produced some of the fastest and largest SSDs to date, bringing about large leaps of speed and even nabbing a slot in Kitlog for their reliable tech.
They're beating themselves at their own game now however, launching a new series of X25M branded SSDs that come sheathed in a silver aluminium casing as opposed to the original black colour.
Being released in sizes of 80GB and 160GB to begin with, the only apparent reason that they aren't launching a 320GB drive is simply the expense for consumers wouldn't be worth the extra effort (at least until the market picks up again).
The 34nm process is also much smaller than the 50nm process that the original drives were manufactured on, allowing higher performing flash chips that offer increased IOPS (Input/output Operations Per Second).
Best of all we've finally got pricing for them straight from Intel:
New channel prices for the X25-M 80GB are US$225 for quantities up to 1,000 units (a 60 per cent reduction from the original introduction price of US$595 a year ago). The 160GB version is US$440 (down from US$945 at introduction) for quantities up to 1,000 units. The X25-M comes in a standard 2.5-inch form factor. The X18-M, in a 1.8-inch form factor, will begin shipping on 34nm later in the quarter.
The current exchange rate for the 80GB drive places it solely into the sub-AU$300 range - this isn't too much of a stretch for a bloody fast SSD.
Keep your eyes open for these drives when they hit store shelves, and save up for an upgrade!
Issue: 133 | February, 2012