Intel 730 Series SSD launched

U.S. Intel Group Announces 730 Series SSD, which it considers as the fastest to date SSD in the market.

At 2.5 inches and 7 mm, using an optimized internal shipping of NAND MLC flash memory controller and 20 nanometers in size, this new model of SSD (Solid State Drive) will be available in two sizes of 240 GB and 480 GB, targeting intensive applications, such as gaming or video editing.

As for performance, it promises up to 270 MB/s sequential write and up to 550 MB/s sequential read, up to 56,000 random write IOPS and up to 86,000 IOPS random read, with its declination on 240 GB. It displays up to 470 MB/s sequential write and up to 550 MB/s sequential read, up 74,000 random write IOPS and up to 89,000 IOPS random read, for 480 GB capacity.

Performance are also provided in RAID 0, ie mode disk striping (both volumes in a single form). In Iometer, the measures provide 136,000 and 136,000 IOPS with 240 GB capacity, while they show 145,000 and 168,000 IOPS with the 480 GB. Intel also indicates over 1,000 MB/s sequential read.

The datasheet also mentions an average response time of 50 microseconds for reading and 65 microseconds for writing.

At last note the energy consumption around 1.5 Watt in standby and about 5 watts in operation and a MTBF of 2 million hours.

Respective rates of 249 dollars and 489 dollars were provided, as well as its availability from 18 March.