PhotoFast Announces GMonster 3X V1 SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs

[btarunr]

Flash-memory expert PhotoFast is releasing its fastest SATA solid state drive (SSD) series, the GMonster 3X V1. Based on a new controller, the drive supports SATA 6 Gb/s interface, and significantly relies on the higher interface bandwidth. These drives carry read speeds of up to 430 MB/s, writing at up to 300 MB/s. Available in 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB variants, these drives have different read/write speeds: the 64 GB model reads/writes at up to 370/120 MB/s, the 128 GB model at 410/190 MB/s, with the 256 GB model running full throttle at 430/300 MB/s. The controller makes full use of the NAND flash memory installed as data-area, while it has its own 128 MB DDR3 memory to carry out its tasks and use as cache. Aimed at consumers, these drives carry MTBF of 1.5 million hours. October is when these will hit the shelves, though prices have not been announced yet.



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[CharlO]

IronMan looks and such a speed, wish had the 600 dolars to spare... (Don't actually know the price)

 

[n-ster]

the write speeds take a huge boost in the 256gb model...

smart move putting DDR3 to use as cache... maybe 1GB might be smarter though It would only cost them 20ish$ for 1GB

 

[bear jesus]

It's very nice to see solid state drives really taking advantage of sata 3's avalible bandwith although i'm not expecting it to come cheap but i can always dream

 

[buggalugs]

Its not that great, the writes are slow unless you have the 256GB version. Users wouldnt notice read speeds but they notice writes and writes are slow. Plus you would need to use the dodgy Marvell controller to get the read speeds that you arent going to notice anyway.

I'll stick with the Vertex2 on the Intel controller for now.

 

[n-ster]

Vertex 2 is nice, but the read speeds aren't that impressive, and you do alot more reading the writing

 

[Mussels]

the write speeds take a huge boost in the 256gb model...

smart move putting DDR3 to use as cache... maybe 1GB might be smarter though It would only cost them 20ish$ for 1GB

write cache is going to be the next big thing with SSD's IMO, wont be long til we start seeing them with 2-4GB of DDR3 for the cache and the marketing teams advertising the burst speeds for the cache, instead of sustained speeds for the drive.

 

[DonInKansas]

The numbers are sexy, but the one year warranty on a drive that supposedly has a 1.5 million hour lifespan is pretty fail.

 

[n-ster]

pfff, Chuck Norris can do 1.5 million hours use on that SSD in a year

 

[WarEagleAU]

Well Sandforce isn't using Cache and they have some pretty amazing speeds. This does look nice though the 128GB is a nice spot for reads and writes. I dont understand why writes go up as the drive size increases. Anyone care to explain that to me please?

 

[zads]

...
smart move putting DDR3 to use as cache... maybe 1GB might be smarter though It would only cost them 20ish$ for 1GB

write cache is going to be the next big thing with SSD's IMO, wont be long til we start seeing them with 2-4GB of DDR3 for the cache and the marketing teams advertising the burst speeds for the cache, instead of sustained speeds for the drive.

Gonna enjoy losing 1-4GB of your data?
DRAM belongs in the DIMM slots.. DRAM and in the mass storage area is only good for buffering out the changes in transfer speed

Well Sandforce isn't using Cache and they have some pretty amazing speeds. This does look nice though the 128GB is a nice spot for reads and writes. I dont understand why writes go up as the drive size increases. Anyone care to explain that to me please?

Sandforce uses cache, just not DRAM cache.
Simply put, more capacity = more places that can be written to simultaneously (up to the limit of the controller)