Performance Statistics
8MB HD Tach
Random Access (ms): 0.2
Average Read (MB/s): 144.8
Burst Speed (MB/s): 178.1
32MB HD Tach
Random Access (ms): 0.4
Average Read (MB/s): 87.5
Burst Speed (MB/s)*: 178.1
PCMark Vantage HDD Test
PCMarks: 11,697
*Note: burst speed does not change between 8MB and
32MB tests.
than h a porn stacker k like lik Western W Digital’s Di i l’ WD3200AAKS
WD3200AAKS.
However, it’s a different story when it comes to
PCMark. Solid state has been king here for some time
thanks to the Gigabyte i-RAM and the Patriot almost
doubles the VelociRaptor’s result of 5,998.
However, the VelociRaptor has over double the
capacity and costs almost half as much meaning it’s
far from unattractive. Furthermore, if you’ve read
the above AnandTech article, you’ll have seen how
many MLC drives have a few quirks: their onboard
controllers induce system stuttering. This we found
in that we couldn’t even complete a straight Windows
Vista installation – not really acceptable for a proper
hard disk.
So this drive has its uses. But you’ll be wondering
why we’ve dwelled on it facing a VelociRaptor instead
of the Intel drive. Read on to find out.
Intel X25-M 80GB SSD
Specs 80GB Capacity; 2.5in Form Factor; SATAII
interface; 3 year warranty; 1.2 million hours MTBF;
1,000G/0.5ms shock resistance; Multi-Level Cell (MLC)
NAND flash memory
Price Around US$700
Website www.intel.com
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PATRIOT/INTEL
Initially we wanted to put these two SSD drives in
RAID. But we couldn’t because they couldn’t be more
different in terms of performance. Based on Intel’s own
technology, (Patriot and most other manufacturers use
a Samsung blueprint) the X25-M’s extremely efficient
onboard controller is what annihilates Patriot and the
Samsung derivatives.
The Intel X25-M is freakishly fast and we love it! True,
the VelociRaptor competes for top spot in the HD Tach
burst speed results: it’s just 6MB/s behind. But this is
the only time it really gets a whiff of the electrons and
megabytes left in Intel’s tracks.
It’s only available in 80GB so far, but 160GB versions
are around the corner. Price per GB is naturally
exorbitant, but this isn’t a traditional hard disk. It’s
entirely about speed, not capacity. The massive $700
price tag is a snip to professionals when it decimates
their rendering bill. Enthusiasts will have to wait
before prices become affordable, especially as there’s
currently no competition. Meanwhile, traditional hard
disk makers will be happy concentrating on features
like capacity and greenfulness.
Performance Statistics
8MB HD Tach
Random Access (ms): 0.1
Average Read (MB/s): 242.9
Burst Speed (MB/s): 266.5
32MB HD Tach
Random Access (ms): 0.1
Average Read (MB/s): 242.7
Burst Speed (MB/s)*: 266.5
PCMark Vantage HDD Test
PCMarks: 37,739
But it’s still worth saving that pocket money. The
benchmarks are mind blowing: 0.1ms response time
for random access, 242MB/s average read (sustainable
in both 8MB and 32MB HD Tach tests unlike the Patriot).
But the cherry on the cake is the PCMark Vantage
HDD test result – 37,739 marks. Breathe that in! The
VelociRaptor scored 5,998! The Patriot scored 11,697!
Yes the Intel drive is insanely expensive but, and we rarely
say this, it’s absolutely worth it for the insane performance
on offer. The Patriot is a good performer in its own right, but
needs to be much cheaper to be competitive.
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