(Click here for a larger view of Intel's X25-M and X18-M SSDs)The laptop and desktop PC SSDsIntel's new X18-M and X25-M SSDs for laptops and desktops use
Micron's MLC (multi-level cell) NAND technology. Offered in 80GB and 160GB sizes, the parts are claimed to be fast and wear-resistant.
Intel says the X-series SSDs deliver sustained read rates of 240MB/sec. -- about a third as fast as cached reads from a typical SATA laptop drive, but about five times faster than uncached reads. Read latency, meantime, is measured at just 85 microseconds (0.085 milliseconds) -- orders of magnitude faster than the 5.6 to 11.1 millisecond latencies of 5,400 rpm drives. Write speeds are listed at 70MB/sec., which approaches the 90MB/sec. to 100MB/sec. rates typical of fast SATA disks.
Intel claims the X-series SSDs are good for five years of useful life, thanks to "enhanced" wear-leveling algorithms. The parts can handle workloads of 100GB per day, says Intel.
As for power consumption, the X-18M and X-25M use under 0.15 Watts when active, and just 0.06 Watts when idle, Intel says. A really efficient hard drive, such as Western Digital's
WD10EACS, might use 4 Watts when idle, 7.5 Watts in operation, and 0.30 Watts in "sleep" mode.
A more detailed comparison of performance compared to hard drives may be available in a Micron whitepaper,
here.
Intel's SSD roadmap
Source: Intel
(Click to enlarge)The server SSDAlso announced was the X25-E, a 2.5-inch SSD that targets servers. Intel claims it can be a more-reliable replacement for existing 15,000rpm hard disk drives. Like the X18-M and X25-M, the X-25E reads data at 240MB/sec., but it is also capable of writing it at an impressive 170MB/sec.
The X25-E, based on SLC (single-level cell) NAND flash technology, will be offered in 32GB and 64GB capacities. It requires 0.06 Watts when idle, and 2.4 Watts when active, according to Intel.
Further informationIntel says the X18-M and X25-M will begin sampling in about 30 days, and will be on sale by the end of the year, while the X25-E will be sampling in about three months. Pricing, alas, was not disclosed.
Related stories:
