Intel has launched its third-generation solid-state drive (SSD), the 320 series, which uses its 25nm NAND flash memory.

The new family offers higher capacity models, while taking advantage of cost benefits from its 25nm process with an up to 30% price reduction over its current generation.

The Intel SSD 320 series comes in 40GB, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB and new higher capacity 300GB and 600GB versions. It uses the 3Gbps SATA interface to support an SSD upgrade for the more than one billion 3Gbps SATA PCs installed throughout the world, Intel said.

The new 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. The company has also more than doubled sequential write speeds from its second generation to 220MB/s sequential writes and maintains high read throughputs at up to 270MB/s sequential reads.

"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," said Pete Hazen, director of marketing for the Intel NVM Solutions Group. "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."

While offering larger capacities over the current X25-M models, the Intel SSD 320 series reduces prices by up to US$100, or 30%, over the predecessor.

Prices for Intel's new SSDs, based on 1,000-unit quantities, are as follows: 40GB at US$89; 80GB at US$159; 120GB at US$209; 160GB at US$289; 300GB at US$529 and 600GB at US$1,069.

By: DocMemory
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