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    Intel`s next SSD, 520 - Includes Sandforce

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Cloudfire, Oct 21, 2011.

  1. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, Dec 4, 2011
    #101
  2. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Yeah doesn`t matter since there are many drives out there with the same controller but different firmware causing a tiny difference in specs.

    So how do you feel about Intel jumping on the SF bandwagon Phil? Dissappointed? Interesting?
     
    Cloudfire, Dec 4, 2011
    #102
  3. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I think it's positive. If Intel can make it a stable product it should be a winner.

    I hope Intel will not release it if they still have firmware problems, like OCZ, Kingston and Corsair have done. If they do, I will be disappointed.
     
    Phil, Dec 4, 2011
    #103
  4. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Even if Intel released a product with a known (after the fact) glitch, they will do the right thing and do everything in their power to correct it.

    Intel is Intel because Intel stands for reliability - unlike SF which is now a footnote in tech history (unless LSI makes it a real force to be reckoned with).
     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 4, 2011
    #104
  5. lonelywolf90

    lonelywolf90 Notebook Consultant

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    lonelywolf90, Dec 10, 2011
    #105
  6. Mr. Wonderful

    Mr. Wonderful Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, the article pretty much adds more evidence to the Sandforce rumor, rather than the Anobit. Especially given the Sandforce-esque firmware number.
     
    Mr. Wonderful, Dec 11, 2011
    #106
  7. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    Sandforce controller with Anobit firmware?
    Not a chance in hell of that happening. In order for that to happen SandForce would have had to supply Anobit with top secret engineering information on the inner workings of the SandForce controller, and firmware source code. That would be suicide for SandForce.

    From the picture in the link. The firmware version is 31Hi, not 31H. But this means nothing, as the firmware version number is only a "string", and SandForce partners can choose their own if they wish.

    31Hi could simply mean something along the lines of. Version 3.1 High IOPS.
     
    accel, Dec 11, 2011
    #107
  8. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Anobit? Never heard of them before :confused:
     
    Cloudfire, Dec 12, 2011
    #108
  9. Mr. Wonderful

    Mr. Wonderful Notebook Evangelist

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    Mr. Wonderful, Dec 13, 2011
    #109
  10. Dufus

    Dufus .

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    Not sure what happened to my post but as an update the site that posted the 520 SandForce Spec claimed it came from an Intel document. Well, finding a cached copy of that document, it doesn't mention Sandforce at all so not sure where they got their info from. Note also that their table is html, ie not cut and paste.
     
    Dufus, Dec 16, 2011
    #110
  11. NIGHTMARE

    NIGHTMARE Notebook Evangelist

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    So intel is using SF controller or not ?
     
    NIGHTMARE, Dec 20, 2011
    #111
  12. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    lol most likely but not confirmed. Intel is so sloooow
     
    Cloudfire, Dec 20, 2011
    #112
  13. NIGHTMARE

    NIGHTMARE Notebook Evangelist

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    yup slow but reliable, no need to running to the service center for replacement
     
    NIGHTMARE, Dec 21, 2011
    #113
  14. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    WhatsThePoint, Dec 23, 2011
    #114
  15. Mr. Wonderful

    Mr. Wonderful Notebook Evangelist

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    I know what you're saying. When has anybody ever worried about the longevity of their iDevice's flash memory? For their MacBook Airs, I suppose, and even then, just their MacBook Airs.
     
    Mr. Wonderful, Dec 23, 2011
    #115
  16. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    Many forums get comical at times with peps saying this and that about various hardware and software they don't own and just repeat garbage they read someplace on the wonderful Internet.

    I thought the browser and anti-virus fights and misinformation couldn't be topped but it looks like the crap being posted about SSD brands,firmware, controllers etc will soon surpass those.

    I own 2 OCZ Vertex 2 34nm SSDs and 2 Vertex 3 MIs and have had zero issues.Does this mean all reported problems are bogus,no.But I'd venture to say that the actual problems experienced with SF controller SSDs compared to the number sold is very low.

    Are problems caused by corrupt systems,owner's lack of knowledge and inexperience in properly tweaking an SSD system,absolutely yes!

    Has everyone forgotten the bad firmware from Crucial that killed the drives and Intel 320 errors besides the one for the Vertex 2 when OCZ transitioned from 34nm to 25nm.

    How many owners were experiencing the 8GB error on their Intel 320s compared to the number sold.

    No matter which controller and which memory Intel uses in the 520 series that's unreleased and under NDA,there will be reports of issues both real,imagined and caused by pilot error.

    I like the Anvil Storge Utilities Benchmark for SSDs,not to say the others are bad.
    http://www.ssdaddict.com/apps/AnvilBenchmark_Beta9.zip
    http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?273661-Anvil-s-Storage-Utilities
     
    WhatsThePoint, Dec 24, 2011
    #116
  17. newguytoo

    newguytoo Newbie

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    according to anobit website the claim their mobile controller allows for 666 MB/s data transfer rate

    http://www.anobit.com/default.asp?PageID=33

    considering where the best client ssd's are in terms of speed, and even comparing to anobit's enterprise solution (>510 MB/s read and write), is this even possible? i thought mobile drives were slower than sata III client or whatever enterprise interface...realize maybe a bit beyond the purview of "notebook" review, but does anyone have any thoughts on this?

    thanks

    (anobit enterprise drive specs: http://www.anobit.com/default.asp?PageID=26 pdf of product brochure includes specs)
     
    newguytoo, Dec 24, 2011
    #117
  18. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    newguytoo, yeah - just marketing, which Apple will surely take full advantage of.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 24, 2011
    #118
  19. jclausius

    jclausius Notebook Virtuoso

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    jclausius, Dec 24, 2011
    #119
  20. NIGHTMARE

    NIGHTMARE Notebook Evangelist

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    who's garbage collection is good ?
     
    NIGHTMARE, Dec 24, 2011
    #120
  21. Steven

    Steven God Amongst Mere Mortals

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    Sorry, but I still think there will be some problems.
     
    Steven, Dec 24, 2011
    #121
  22. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    The SSD with the best GC right now is Kingston V100+ SSD's.

    How good is the GC? So good it will wear the nand out faster than you might like.

    See:
    AnandTech - Kingston SSDNow V+100 Review


     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 24, 2011
    #122
  23. NIGHTMARE

    NIGHTMARE Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm planning to buy Samsung 830 128 GB.
     
    NIGHTMARE, Dec 25, 2011
    #123
  24. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xx52qOgiP54?version=3&amp;hl=nb_NO&amp;hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xx52qOgiP54?version=3&amp;hl=nb_NO&amp;hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='853' height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
    Cloudfire, Jan 9, 2012
    #124
  25. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    best thing since sliced bread... I am for sure getting a 520 asap (please release soon :))

    BTW that was a 10k rpm HDD...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
    maxheap, Jan 9, 2012
    #125
  26. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    I don't really trust the SSD vs. HDD shows.

    I can terribly fragment the data on the HDD and the results would drastically favor the SSD. Those "shows" are pretty much pointless. Instead they should report the benchmark results and compare it to the other brands' SSDs.


    --
     
    ramgen, Jan 9, 2012
    #126
  27. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    benches are 550 read 520 write 70k 4k random, pretty much better than any other SSD in the market.. I am talking about statistics definitely, not that I am basing on a application load show
     
    maxheap, Jan 9, 2012
    #127
  28. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Can`t wait too. This will probably be my replacement for my X25-M :D
     
    Cloudfire, Jan 10, 2012
    #128
  29. govtdog

    govtdog Notebook Consultant

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    okay... wait till then????????????????? doh?
     
    govtdog, Jan 10, 2012
    #129
  30. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    The article I posted says sometime during Q1 (January, February, March). :)
     
    Cloudfire, Jan 10, 2012
    #130
  31. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    maxheap, Jan 10, 2012
    #131
  32. Dufus

    Dufus .

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    So something like US$475-500 for 180GB?

    Almost a year gone by since ES models!
     
    Dufus, Jan 11, 2012
    #132
  33. JKleiss

    JKleiss Notebook Evangelist

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    Haha odd that it first pops up on an NZ site, I always use this company for all my online tech purchases.
    SSDs are expensive in NZ though.
    If i didnt already have SSD in both my systems I'd look at getting this.
     
    JKleiss, Jan 11, 2012
    #133
  34. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    Do a google search of the Intel part number SSDSC2CW180A3K5.
     
    WhatsThePoint, Jan 11, 2012
    #134
  35. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    maxheap, Jan 11, 2012
    #135
  36. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    WhatsThePoint, Jan 11, 2012
    #136
  37. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    No, they're not selling them. They're promising to ship it to you first if you give them your money from now.

    Big difference, no?
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jan 11, 2012
    #137
  38. Dufus

    Dufus .

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    Thanks WhatsThePoint, that's a lot more palatable than the Kiwi prices. :)

    I did a google earlier for SSDSC2CW180A3K5 and only 2 sites came up, both NZ, that was for hits that were 1 week or less though.
     
    Dufus, Jan 11, 2012
    #138
  39. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    WhatsThePoint, Jan 11, 2012
    #139
  40. Mr. Wonderful

    Mr. Wonderful Notebook Evangelist

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    Prices make no since? Or do they?
     
    Mr. Wonderful, Jan 11, 2012
    #140
  41. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Cloudfire, Jan 11, 2012
    #141
  42. Tomy B.

    Tomy B. Notebook Evangelist

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    Eesti (Estonia) it is!
     
    Tomy B., Jan 11, 2012
    #142
  43. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    I talked to macmall and they said it usually takes 3-4 weeks for the item to be available, whatever does that means
     
    maxheap, Jan 11, 2012
    #143
  44. lonelywolf90

    lonelywolf90 Notebook Consultant

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    So, Intel 520 SSD should be widely available by March or Mid February is it?

    Can't wait to buy one =)
     
    lonelywolf90, Jan 16, 2012
    #144
  45. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    With Ultrabooks coming, Intel should make 7mm versions of these. My X220 wants to upgrade from a 160GB G2.
     
    Jayayess1190, Jan 17, 2012
    #145
  46. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    This New Zealand company now lists the 180GB Intel 520 SSD as IN STOCK as of January 18th

    Intel 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A3K5 Solid St : Ascent Technology 401764

    SATA Interface: SATA 6.0 Gb/s
    Form Factor: 2.5” drive
    Random IOPs (4 KB files):
    · Reads: up to 40K IOPs maximum 85K IOPs
    · Writes: up to 70K IOPs
    Sequential Bandwidth (Sustained):
    · Reads: up to 550 MB/s
    · Writes: up to 520 MB/s
    Write Endurance: 5 years minimum useful life with up to 20 GB/day written
    Intel® Data Migration Software: Yes
    Intel® Solid-State Drive Toolbox: Yes

    Note: Performance values vary by capacity.
     
    WhatsThePoint, Jan 17, 2012
    #146
  47. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm stuck trying to decide whether to get the 830 or wait for this. Do reviews get published before ssd's become available? An Intel-reliable drive with SF performance is very appealing.
     
    vinuneuro, Jan 18, 2012
    #147
  48. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    About 80% of all daily disk access is small file reads and writes of 16K,8K,4K and some smaller with the writes more so as gauged in Microsoft's diskmon.

    When you look at reviews with benchmarks pay close attention to the 4K numbers to know how the SSD will perform in normal usage.

    The big sequential numbers are important about 1% of the time.

    Intel reliable,they've had just about as many issues as other makers but sell far less drives than SandForce.

    More drives = more reports of issues
     
    WhatsThePoint, Jan 18, 2012
    #148
  49. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    WhatsThePoint, Jan 19, 2012
    #149
  50. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    vinuneuro, Jan 19, 2012
    #150
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