The Intel SSD 320 (25nm G3) Review

[flamenko]

I want to see the reviews of the small drives...most of the reviews have been doing the *almost* flagship 300GB drives...I want to see how the 40 and 80GB fare

The models supplied to reviewers are 300GB this time around by Intel and u will most likely see the reviews of the lesser models only as consumers or reviewers purchase or post.

[XRL8]

In terms of speeds, the 320 Series SSDs looks a little something like this:

- 40GB (2.5-inch) - up to 200 MB/s reading / up to 45 MB/s writing

- 80GB (1.8/2.5-inch) - up to 270 MB/s reading / up to 80 MB/s writing

- 120GB (2.5-inch) - up to 270 MB/s reading / up to 130 MB/s writing

- 160GB (1.8/2.5-inch) - up to 270 MB/s reading / up to 165 MB/s writing

- 300GB (1.8/2.5-inch) - up to 270 MB/s reading / up to 205 MB/s writing

- 600GB (2.5-inch) - up to 270 MB/s reading / up to 220 MB/s writing

[deathman20]

I'll have my eye's on the 160 and 300.

[Pantsu]

A disappointing launch. I was hoping Intel would drop the prices given the smaller process. Looks like I'll go for a 120 GB Vertex 3 as my first SSD. Though I might give it a few months yet and see how things develop before making the final decision.

[CedricFP]

If your SSDs run as expected, there is no reason to upgrade unless you need capacity. You will see little to no visible difference for normal every day operation of the drive.

Well... exactly.

[BababooeyHTJ]

I want to see the reviews of the small drives...most of the reviews have been doing the *almost* flagship 300GB drives...I want to see how the 40 and 80GB fare

I agree, I really want to see some benchmarks on the 120GB drive since that is in my price range. My next SSD will be an Intel just due to their track record for reliability. I've had problems with both OCZ and Crucial drives.

[Manicdan]

+1 with tests on budget drives

[onethreehill]

Intel 320 Series 120GB for $230 @newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820167050

[gumballguy]

I agree, I really want to see some benchmarks on the 120GB drive since that is in my price range. My next SSD will be an Intel just due to their track record for reliability. I've had problems with both OCZ and Crucial drives.

Dont forget intel's "bios password" firmware debacle...

Intel can and does disappoint. I can think of other examples. Sandy bridge sata ports. Lying about port multiplier support. Come to think of it, intel seems to have issues with anything involving sata :p Even the intel ports on my H57 are flaky.

However, the hardware inside the G2 is showing its superior longevity vs sandforce.

[Computurd]

Intel 320 Series 120GB for $230 @newegg

remember what 120gb cost two years ago guys?

[vitaminc]

remember what 120gb cost two years ago guys?

SLC drives cost about the same as three years ago at 64G/$700 range.

[sdsdv10]

remember what 120gb cost two years ago guys?

Hell yes, I paid $225 for a 80GB X25-M G2 on March 16th of 2010, and that was a pretty good deal at the time. A 50% increase in capacity for the same price, not bad. Not great, but I don't think it's as bad as many in this thread are implying. Whatever....

[BababooeyHTJ]

Someone has to have done a few benchmarks on a 120GB drive by now. I'm really thinking about picking one of these up.

[BababooeyHTJ]

Well I went with a 160GB. I still haven't seen any benchmarks on these smaller drives. Here is a couple of the 160GB. I would still like to see some of the smaller drives.

[nijel]

Hmm, my 80GB G2 scores more... despite 2x lower seq writes.

[deathman20]

Hmm, my 80GB G2 scores more... despite 2x lower seq writes.

Scores more in what? The writes well the large one is nearly identical to a 2 clean G2 80's in Raid 0. Course reads are much much higher.

[nijel]

...in this, 4K-64T

[stuffme]

So intel releases new model after what, two years? And it's not better in any way, except higher prices. This is what I call business.

[XRL8]

It seems for some time, pc hardware manufacturers have been getting the apple ideology.Capitalism doesnt seem to work that much,Intel is dictating prices, and others seem to be content with their part of the pie more or less.Its not like intel is the only one producing flash.

[generics_user]

i miss a 240gb drive; 160 is too small for my uses but their 300gb is too expensive, sandforce + indilinx are no alternative to me because they're way too unreliable...

i guess that i have to stick to samsung or marvell

[prava]

Hell yes, I paid $225 for a 80GB X25-M G2 on March 16th of 2010, and that was a pretty good deal at the time. A 50% increase in capacity for the same price, not bad. Not great, but I don't think it's as bad as many in this thread are implying. Whatever....

We are in the same boat. I paid around 205€ for my 80GB G2 in December 2009), for less money (around 180€) you get a 120GB G310 and for a little more (250€) you get a 160GB G310

But still, it was one of the best investments I've done in the last years, no doubt.

[zads]

i miss a 240gb drive; 160 is too small for my uses but their 300gb is too expensive, sandforce + indilinx are no alternative to me because they're way too unreliable...

i guess that i have to stick to samsung or marvell

What do you need all that SSD storage for?
I had a massive SSD array before, but it was pointless so my main system now has a single 240GB SF, which is never more than half full.

What makes you say SF + Indilinx are way too unreliable?