DDRdrive X1 RAM Based Superfast SSD

**RoninBlade** · 06-05-2009

May be it not compare to the io-Drive, but DDrdrive's X1 still packs a punch in terms of speed and price.DDRdrive X1 is a PCI-Express Solid State storage solution that utilize both DRAM and NAND memory to providing lightning fast transfer speeds.. Like other SSDs, the X1 utilizes two types of memory 4GB DRAM and 4GB NAND aligned on a PCIe card. Because RAM can be volatile, the NAND kicks in and safely backs up the information.

There is actually more to the DDRdrive X1 than meets the eye. The designer of this card had one thing in mind: IOPS performance. Under that heatsink is a custom FPGA multi-channel memory controller. When your computer is switched off, all the data from the 4GB of RAM is dumped on to the 4GB of flash in just 60 seconds.

DDRdrive X1 can hit an amazing 300,000+ IOPs and seems perfect for I/O intensive tasks. It is not the greatest performer in read/write speed though; as it can only hit a peak of 250 MB/s read and 150MB/s in writes.

DDrdrive's X1 features:-

Single sector IOPS unmatched by any other device available
Integrated backup to / restore from SLC flash memory
Cost vs. IOPS (nearly 1/5th the cost of an ioDrive)
IOPS / Watt
Extremely well engineered part

That's a massive bump in operation speed compared to practically all other solid-state drives currently in production.You don't want to keep your data in RAM, because it will go away as soon as you turn off your PC.

That's why it's great to have it paired up with some really fast flash memory, keeping everything you're doing saved. It can either back up or restore all your data in 60 seconds.To accomodate the increased traces required for the task, a custom PCB with more layers than some motherboards is used. Under the CNC machined heatsink we see the FPGA controller next to a pair of SLC flash chips. This flash memory enables the DDRdrive to backup and restore from non-volatile storage.

**Fabian** · 06-05-2009

In terms of read/write speeds, the DDRdrive X1 is not that spectacular. While the DDRdrive is not yet bootable, it is worth pointing out that neither is the ioDrive. Both companies have it on the drawing board.For comparison Fusion IO's enterprise drives are estimated at 200,000 IOPS 512B read, while other consumer SSDs are rated at about 100,000 IOPS 512B read.The DDRdrive X1 is shipping now for $1495 with a 5 year limited warranty

**Kraker999** · 06-05-2009

Wow ... I guess they even sell computers to the wierdo that talks to himself on the street corner now.if their 2nd gen product would allow an additional four slots on the back of the PCB it would really sweeten the deal.