Intel has a number of SSD nuits coming in 2012, and the first we can expect are in the 300 series. SSD 313 is already launched and replace the 311 as cache, while SSD 330 will be the longed for replacement for the 320 series.
We tested Intel Larson Creek, a small SSD at only 20 GB made to act like cache for a larger harddrive. The company has now launched Hawley Creek, that it hopes will be used in everything from desktops to cheap ultrabooks.
| Series | Intel SSD 313 | Intel SSD 311 | |
| Code name |
Hawley Creek | Larson Creek | |
| Capacity | 24 GB | 20 GB | 20 GB |
| Memory cirucits |
6 x 4 GB 25nm Intel SLC NAND | 5 x 4 GB 25 nm Intel SLC NAND | 5 x 4 GB 34nm Intel SLC NAND |
| Interface | SATA 3.0 Gbps | ||
| Controller | Intel PC29AS21BA0 | ||
| Sequential read speed |
160 MB/s | 220 MB/s | 190 MB/s |
| Sequential write speed |
115 MB/s | 100 MB/s | 100 MB/s |
| Random read speed (IOPS) |
33 000 | 36 000 | 37 000 |
| Random write speed (IOPS) |
4 000 | 3 300 | 3 300 |
| Price | ~119€ | ~99€ | 99€ |
Intel has used the old controller PC29AS21BA0. For Hawley Creek this is not a problem, and it is expected to use a newer firmware than Larson Creek. The SLC memory circuits builds on IMFT’s 25 nanometer technology and for best possible durability for these cache solutions, but also best performance with the least possible chips.
The read performance drops with the new 24GB version, while the write performance gets a bump up. Exactly why that is hard to say, but we hope to learn more soon. This could very well be because of the number of memory channels the PC29AS21BA0 controller have to work with. Intel SSD 313 will cost the same as SSD 311 at 20 GB, whle the 24 GB model will cost about 120€.
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