Intel annuncia gli SSD a 34nm di nuova generazione X25-M

Con il comunicato stampa di seguito allegato, Intel ha presentato al grande pubblico i suoi nuovi Solid State Drive (SSD) in formato da 2.5-inch prodotti con un processo di fabbricazione a 34nm secondo uno schema di tipo multi-level cell (MLC). Si tratta di SSD pronte per Windows 7 a livello hardware dal momento che queste unità supportano il comando Trim di Windows 7 mediante l'update pianificato del firmware (l'aggiornamento sarà rilasciato in concomitanza con l'arrivo di Windows 7, ndr).

In accordo al chip maker statunitense, la nuova linea di unità SSD, che è siglata Intel X25-M, è finalizzata all'equipaggiamento dei desktop e dei notebook in alternativa al classici Hard Disk Drive (HDD) e al pari della generazione precedente di SSD a 50nm: tuttavia, le nuove soluzioni hanno dalla loro un costo contenuto fino al 60% in virtù dell'incremento del livello di integrazione, da un lato, e della evoluzione del design progettuale dall'altro.

La serie Intel X25-M, che include varianti con capacità pari a 80GB e a a 160GB, è inoltre in grado di offrire prestazioni superiori rispetto alla generazione fabbricata con tecnologia a 50nm sia in termini di latenza (che il produttore dichiara più bassa del 25%) che in termini di operazioni di ingresso e uscita nell'unità di tempo, in gergo Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS).

La soluzione X25-M da 80GB ha un MSRP pari a $225 in stock da 1000 pezzi mentre nelle stesse condizioni l'MSRP della versione da 160GB è pari a $440. In questo stesso trimestre, infine, Intel commercializzerà la gamma di SSD a 34nm in formato 1.8-inch, la X18-M.

[Immagine ad alta risoluzione]

[Immagine ad alta risoluzione]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 21, 2009 – Intel Corporation is moving to a more advanced, 34- nanometer (nm) manufacturing process for its leading NAND flash-based Solid State Drive (SSD) products, which are an alternative to a computer's hard drive. The move to 34nm will help lower prices of the SSDs up to 60 percent for PC and laptop makers and consumers who buy them due to the reduced die size and advanced engineering design.

The multi-level cell (MLC) Intel X25-M Mainstream SATA SSD is aimed at laptop and desktop PCs and available in 80 Gigabyte (GB) and 160GB versions. SSDs are data storage devices found inside computers. Because SSDs have no moving parts they offer faster performance and greater energy efficiency and durability than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). A draw for gamers, media creators and technology enthusiasts, SSDs have also played a key role in the emergence of ultra-thin and light notebook PCs that are becoming increasingly popular due to their design, size and longer battery life.

"Our goal was to not only be first to achieve 34nm NAND flash memory lithography, but to do so with the same or better performance than our 50nm version," said Randy Wilhelm, Intel vice president and general manager, Intel NAND Solutions Group. "We made quite an impact with our breakthrough SSDs last year, and by delivering the same or even better performance with today's new products, our customers, both consumers and manufacturers, can now enjoy them at a fraction of the cost."

The Intel X25-M on 34nm flash memory is drop-in compatible with the current 50nm version and will continue to be drop-in compatible to replace existing hard disk drives (HDDs).

Compared to its previous 50nm version, the new Intel X25-M offers improved latency and faster random write Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS). Specifically, Intel's new SSD provides a 25 percent reduction in latency, for quicker access to data, operating at 65-microsecond latency compared to approximately 4,000 microseconds for an HDD.

Random write performance increases twofold, further separating the X25-M from other competing SSDs. By delivering up to 6,600 4KB write IOPS and up to 35,000 read IOPS, the X25-M continues to set the bar for SSDs, while leapfrogging HDDs which only operate at several hundred IOPS. This provides for markedly faster system and application responsiveness. These improvements in latency and IOPS not only benefit desktop and notebook users, but also server and workstation users, as they utilize Intel's cost-effective, yet performance-oriented, MLC SSDs for enterprise computing.

New channel prices for the X25-M 80GB are $225 for quantities up to 1,000 units (a 60 percent reduction from the original introduction price of $595 a year ago). The 160GB version is $440 (down from $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.

Drop-in compatible with SATA-based HDDs and all operating systems, the X25-M will also support Microsoft Windows 7 when it becomes available. At that time, Intel plans to deliver a firmware update to allow support of the Windows 7 Trim command, along with an end user tool, to allow users to optimize the performance of their SSD on Windows XP and Vista operating systems.

For further information on Intel's High Performance line of solid-state drives, including the Intel X25-M Mainstream and the Intel X25-E Extreme SATA SSD targeted for server, workstation and enterprise storage applications, visit www.intel.com/go/ssd.

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