Intel's 34 nm SSDs: Focus On The Price Tags
Although Intel and Micron’s IM Flash Technologies partnership announced mass production of 34 nm lithography-based 32 Gbit MLC (multi-level cell) NAND flash memories last November, Intel’s first generation of MLC-derived SSDs (solid state drives, which I tested in that same approximate timeframe, along with their SLC i.e. single-level-cell siblings) were derived from 50 nm-fabricated ICs. Today, Intel unveiled its second-generation 34 nm MLC SSD products, although at first glance you might scratch your head at what the fuss is all about:
- They’re still called the X25-M family, and
- They come in identical 80 and 160 GByte capacities as their 50 nm predecessors, although they showcase a revised (and, dare I say, Samsung-reminiscent?) silver case paint scheme.
Real-life performance improvements due to the 34 nm shrink (especially considering recent firmware updates to the 50 nm X25-M line) are also unclear, and are likely limited in no small part by the lingering delays in 6 Gbps SATA system-side support. On the one hand, my Intel press relations contact excitedly passed along the following stats:
Compared to its previous 50nm version, the new Intel X25-M on 34nm offers decreased latency and faster random write Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS) than its 50nm predecessor. Specifically, Intel’s new SSD provides a 25 percent further reduction in latency, for quicker access to data, operating at 65-microsecond read latency compared to approximately 4,000 microseconds for an HDD. Random write performance has increased 2x for the 80GB and 2.5x for the 160GB to further separate the X25-M from other SSDs. By delivering up to 6,600 4KB write IOPS (8,600 IOPS for the 160GB) 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 for traditional HDDs. This provides for markedly faster system and application responsiveness. Overall, gamers, media creators and technology enthusiasts should experience faster PC responsiveness. The Intel X25-M on 34nm therefore widens the performance gap even further over HDDs on all fronts, including latency, sustained reads and writes and random read and writes.
The write performance improvements are particularly notable, given that these SSDs are based on multi-level-cell flash memory technology. But then my Intel PR contact pointed out:
While many specs have been improved, we do not expect many noticeable gains on application-based benchmarks. Targeted drive benchmarks and tests will show the differences however.
So where’s the beef? Right here:
On 34nm process lithography, Intel is passing on cost reductions to its customers. As of July 21, 2009, the channel price quoted for the X-25M 80GB is $225 (down from $595 at introduction one year ago) and the 160GB version is $440 (down from $945) for quantities up to 1,000 units. For the latest street pricing though, we suggest you check e-tailers, such as newegg.com, at time of your review.
MLC SSDs in the 2.5" HDD form factor (i.e. X25-M) are now shipping, with 1.8" counterparts (X18-M) available later this quarter. Intel’s not currently commenting on availability of 34 nm-derived SLC (i.e. X25-E) SSDs. My 160 GByte X25-M review sample is en route, and I’ll try to find some time to fire it up in the next week or so. Stay tuned to Brian’s Brain for the benchmark results.
