Adata XPG SX910 : SSD sous SandForce sans over-provisioning

AData presents a new SSD SandForce under reference to the usable capacity of 7%.

In late February, LSI-SandForce announced the availability of a new firmware for his star on the market for SSD, SF-2281 controller. An important update because it allows manufacturers to flash drives, if they wish, with the over-provisioning and thus offer 7% of additional storage on their models. AData has decided to take advantage of this opportunity with its new SSD in the XPG, launched under SX910 reference range.

                                

A DSS that therefore in shops in capacities of 128, 256 and 512 GB (instead of the usual 120, 240 and 480 GB). AData is of course reassuring, explaining that the lack of over-provisioning is affected in no performance of its disks, or longevity. Faithful to the message passed by LSI-SandForce upon the release of its new firmware. Moreover, since it is better to prevent healing, Adata guarantees the XPG SX910 for 5 years, without however communicate on the number of cycles that the selected cells may cash.

Interfaced in SATA III 6 Gbps and the 2.5-inch format, these SSD Adata promise to reach top-flight performance but nonetheless classic controller SF-2281, namely up to 550 MB/s read and 530 MB/s write sequential (on compressible data), and 85,000 in random IOPS. It now expected of these DSS rates.

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Problem in encryption AES-256 for SandForce

SandForce SF - 2000 controllers are affected by a problem in the management of the hardware encryption in AES 256 bit.

An internal audit conducted by LSI discovered a concern in the management of the hardware encryption offered by the SandForce SF-2000 series chips. Other solutions of hardware encryption for hard disks, SandForce controllers use two systems separate encryption, first of 256 bit and 128 bit a second. According to the audit, the first level 256 bit is not present, not working in 128-bit mode.

For individuals, the problem is not really embarrassing, but for companies and Governments that have special constraints on the encryption of hard disks, it becomes a little more serious. For example, the US Government asked that used hard drives are encrypted in AES 256 bit, what these controllers offered natively. However, if the controller does not handle...

If this is really disturbing, some manufacturers of DSS that uses its default controllers offer rebate offers or alternatives. For example, Intel offers fully reimburse customers who have purchased flash drives of the series 520 - Yes, no error on the press release - 1 July, and have just contacted customer service before October 1 for it. Kingston for its SSDNow V200 + and its KC100 and adds that a solution is being developed jointly with LSI to repair this problem of encryption. Of course, other manufacturers using the SandForce controllers will also publish their news releases to meet the demands of their customers.

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[MAJ] SSD: SATA 3 and SandForce also for Super Talent

Super Talent introduces SSD on controller SandForce amount to 540 MB/s sequential read.

Zalman is not only to present new SSD on controller SF-2200 today. Super Talent is same with its TeraNova series. Nothing to do with the TV series prehistoric of Spielberg, because talking about well of flash drives format 2.5 "fastest placed on the market by Super Talent until now. Operator interface SATA 6 Gbps, these disks are consumers high performance solutions.

It is therefore at 540 MB/s sequential read and between 480 and 520 MB/s write. Super Talent puts forward the qualities of these TeraNova SSD response time and their performance in all sorts of situations, explaining that professionals working on delivered software will win a time crazy with these flash drives coming in four capacities: 60, 120, 240 and 480 GB unknown price.

[Updated December 9 to 17: 00]

Price appeared on the canvas and it will be $109 for the 60 GB, $179 for the 120 GB, $365 for the 240 GB and $920 to 480 GB.

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[MAJ] SSD: SATA 3 and SandForce also for Super Talent

Super Talent introduces SSD on controller SandForce amount to 540 MB/s sequential read.

Zalman is not only to present new SSD on controller SF-2200 today. Super Talent is same with its TeraNova series. Nothing to do with the TV series prehistoric of Spielberg, because talking about well of flash drives format 2.5 "fastest placed on the market by Super Talent until now. Operator interface SATA 6 Gbps, these disks are consumers high performance solutions.

It is therefore at 540 MB/s sequential read and between 480 and 520 MB/s write. Super Talent puts forward the qualities of these TeraNova SSD response time and their performance in all sorts of situations, explaining that professionals working on delivered software will win a time crazy with these flash drives coming in four capacities: 60, 120, 240 and 480 GB unknown price.

Price appeared on the canvas and it will be $109 for the 60 GB, $179 for the 120 GB, $365 for the 240 GB and $920 to 480 GB.

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Zalman Intel + SandForce SSD

Zalman presents a new series of SSD-based Intel memory and SandForce controller.

Korean Zalman, already present on the markets of cooling, power supplies, enclosures and accessories for PC, recently started the SSD and it completes its range with the "F" series flash drives. A DSS that exploit the latest SandForce (SF-2281) controllers, SATA III 6 Gbps. Advertised performance range up to 560 MB/s and 530 MB/s read and write sequential, and 45,000 IOPS.

2.5-Inch format, these drives are available in capacities of 60, 120 and 240 GB. These disks embark of the NAND flash MLC Intel 25 nm. They support the Trim and in 125/256 AES encryption. Supplied with an adapter 3.5 ", the Zalman F are guaranteed for 3 years and display a 1.2 million hours MTBF. It takes €115,95 TTC for the model of 60 GB, €194,95 TTC for the 120 GB and €415,95 TTC for the 240 GB.

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mSATA: OCZ also, SandForce, and Barefoot

OCZ just announced format mSATA SSD two ranges, the Nocti and the Strata. MSATA, let us recall, is a standard used in very fine laptops and some mother cards top of range. It is a SATA 3 GB/s connector in a physical format identical to that of Mini Card (PCI-Express for laptops) cards, but incompatible electrically with the cards in question, no question of replacing a Wi - Fi DSS card, therefore.

The Nocti uses a controller SandForce 2100, the entry of the SandForce SF-2281 used version in the 3 Vertex. The SATA interface is limited to 3 GB/s (300 MB/s) and three capacities are proposed: 30, 60 GB and 120 GB. OCZ Announces 280 MB/s read and 260 MB/s write, but it is as always of flows on compressible data, actual flows are a priori much more low. For random writing, OCZ announced 32 000 IOPS, which is very correct, except for the 30 GB model which is "merely" 12 500 IOPS, which remains high in absolute terms.

The Strata is an entry-level model, which uses a controller OCZ/Indilinx Barefoot Eco (the version that uses memory 34 NM). A 30 GB model and a 60 GB model are proposed, with average performance: 125 MB/s read, 40 MB/s write and 750 IOPS for the first and 130 MB/s read, 85 MB/s write and 1,500 IOPS for the second. Even if the values appear low, on the one hand, they are independent of the type of files (unlike the SandForce) and on the other hand sufficient for a machine to entry as a netbook.

The price is quite interesting, even if machines accepting mSATA SSD remain rare: 65, 110 and 200 * for models Nocti (30, 60 and 120 GB) and 50 and €80 for the Strata of 30 and 60 GB.

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Team Group also released an SSD SandForce SF-22xx

The Taiwanese manufacturer Team Group prepares, also to commercialize an equipped with SSD of a SandForce SF-22xx controller. Her baby is the name of Xtreem S3. It is of course an SSD in 2.5 format inches which operates a SATA III 6 Gb/sconnections. The Xtreem S3 range consists of four models of 60 GB, 120 GB, 240 GB and 480 GB.

Each of these drives offer a 550 MB/sreading flow. Write flows reach 480 MB/sec for the 60 GB model, 500 MB/s for the 120 GB drive and 520 MB/s for the 240 GB. For the moment, the characteristics of the 480 GB model are unfortunately not known.

Xtreem Team Group S3 SSD are covered by a builder warranty of two years. Prices are not known at the time that it is but we should learn more in the coming days...

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Patriot Memory Announces Pyro a new line of SSD SandForce SF-2281

The Pyro series is announced by Patriot Memory as of the mid-range of high performance with the SandForce SF-2281 controller and MLC NAND memory.

Pyro will be declined in 60 GB, 120 GB and 240 GB version. It will operate the SATA 3 (6 GB/s) interface, which is reverse compatible SATA 2 (3 GB/s) and SATA (1.5 GB/s) 1. The performance will be 550 MB/s read and 515 MB/s write with a maximum of 85,000 IOPS random write 4 K for the 120 GB and 240 GB models. The 60 GB model will just 520 MB/s read and 490 MB/s write and 80,000 IOPS.To maintain performance, Pyro will be compatible with the TRIM and the DuraClass and the DuraWrite of the technologies that promise to guarantee a good life and good performance over time.

The format will be classic for an SSD in 2.5 inch which will allow to install it as well in a laptop computer to Office.Finally Patriot Memory guaranteed Pyro three years. Concerning the price of its new SSD is not disclosed, however it was announced as having the best performance/price ratio of walking.

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Compatible with the flash 24 nm SandForce

Still not to the more affordable SSD.

The SandForce company, specializing in controllers for DSS, took advantage of the Flash Memory Summit taking place currently in the city of Santa Clara, California to show a new revision of its SandForce 2000 controller compatible with the flash memory MLC engraved with a fineness of 24 nm produced by Toshiba. The model presented was displaying rather classical performance for the SandForce controller with 500 MB/s read and write.

The novelty is obviously new fineness of engraving which is expected to still lower cost SSDs gigabyte. Currently, a 256 GB of quality, such as the M4 Crucial 256 GB SSD, sells less than 400 euros. With the new generation of chips, the price should be reduced by 30-40%. In contrast, SandForce does not endurance of chips which should however be reduced. Indeed, reduction of the fineness of engraving also reduces the number of cycles by cells. DuraClass and DuraWrite of SandFroce technologies are intended to optimize the use of cells up to avoid any problem, but it gives no information about the lifetime of these new SSD.

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This USB key is powered by SandForce

It's a stuck in a small body USB 3.0 SSD.

June 15, Super Talent began to ship a device that looks like a standard USB stick to the outside, but it is really an SSD inside a SandForce SF-1222 controller and four devices NAND (8 channels). Called the Express USB 3.0 TC8, the new external storage device includes a multi-channel advance SSD caching system virtual architecture and advanced wear auditing algorithm - all packed with a key USB form factor.

The company "Featuring 8 channel architecture and a virtual cache, TC8 of Express USB 3.0 system was built for speed," said. "True SSD performance comes from reading and writing simultaneously multiple channels of flash." The new TC8 has 8 channels of flash, like a full size SSD. A magnitude DSS also includes a data cache to elevate the performance of the "real world" and the TC8 is no different.  Now true performance SSD can be integrated in a portable device which is small and practical. »

Flash drive measures 93.5 x 25 x 8 mm and is encased in a sleek aluminum, sanctioned by a blue plastic translucent accents. It requires no separate cable and is fully backward compatible with USB ports 2.0 at USB 2.0 speeds. The SandForce SSD processor includes DuraClass and DuraWrite technology that improves flash durability and integrity of the data. The specifications claim that reading of sections of drive speeds up to 270 MB/s and write speeds up to 240 MB/s.

"New TC8 super Talent falling-out between flash drives and SSDs," said Director of Product Marketing of Super Talent, Peter Carcione. "Now, reliability, performance and capacity SSD can be obtained in a portable USB 3.0 flash drive."

Super Talent now offers USB 3.0 Express TC8 capacity of 25 GB, 50 GB and 100 GB. Prices are not available of this writing, but the version of 50 GB believed to retail for about 110 dollars.

Super Talent USB 3.0 Express TC8

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Kingston revealed its first SSD based on the SandForce

Kingston HyperX will use the SandForce SF-2281 controller for sequential reading speeds that can reach 525 MB/s.

This week at the Computex, Kingston has revealed its first 2.5-inch SSD using a controller of SandForce targeting enthusiasts, gamers and users of performance. Dubbed the Kingston HyperX, DSS is based on SandForce SF-2281 controllers and a SATA 6 GB/s interface and next month the ships in capacities of 120 and 240 GB.

"This launch is very exciting for us in Kingston, said Ariel Perez, Director of affairs DSS."The SandForce controller allows us to deliver high-end which are necessary for power-users, gamers and performance enthusiasts. By integrating a quality of final production controller and firmware and undergo extensive testing has been a process rigorous, but well worth the wait. By pairing latest controller of the SandForce with calculation of 25 nm Intel NAND (P/E 5 K), we have built a SSD which meets the requirements defined by real amateurs. »

As stated, the controller of the SF-2281 is paired with Intel 25 nm Compute NAND (P/E 5 K), the sequential read/write with flow rates of 525/480 MB / s and 40 000 and 60 000 (240 GB) IOPS. SandForce DuraClass technology provides best in class endurance, while Advanced wear-Leveling technology ensures that flash memory blocks are consumed at a very balanced rate. Additional features include TRIM and support S.M.A.R.T. and configurable aggregation by the user to fine-tune performance to meet the specific needs of the user.

The company said "Fans know long the Kingston HyperX mark as the leader in advanced memory". "The new SSD HyperX continues this tradition of innovation and high performance by pairing the last Intel ® 25nm SandForce controller calculate NAND (P/E 5 K) to provide the performance and endurance which require the most demanding users.

The two Kingston HyperX SSDs should ship on July 11, 2011. They be supported by a guarantee of three years and Kingston 24/7 tech support.

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The OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 Preview: Second-Gen SandForce Goes PCIe

Solid-state tech marches on, and we're already approaching SATA's 6 Gb/s ceiling. OCZ is once again stepping in with a PCIe-based solution with speed in reserve. The company's RevoDrive 3 X2 promises sequential transfers in excess of 1 GB/s.

SSDs are still one of those line-in-the-sand inflection points that change everything. But if you're accustomed to the throughput and responsiveness of a mechanical hard drive, there's very little reason to look beyond familiar SATA-based SSDs for a significantly better computing experience. The latest offerings from Crucial and OCZ deliver speeds often exceeding the limits of 3 Gb/s signaling, and if you have to have the best, it's hard for us not to recommend OCZ's Vertex 3.

The latest SandForce SF-2200-based drives are starting to roll out in greater volume, and they promise to serve as the performance benchmark by which other SSDs are measured (after the bugs are worked out, of course). Crucial's m4 is arguably a cheaper alternative for those that want higher performance, but either way, it's clear that nobody is going to be handicapped by SATA 6Gb/s on the desktop any time soon.

That's not to say there aren't enthusiasts interested in pushing the boundaries of storage performance. But if today's 2.5" SSDs aren't fast enough for your workload, you need to look beyond SATA's 600 MB/s limit. If you're an enthusiast and have the cash to spare, you may have your eye on a PCI Express-based SSD. Or, you're considering slinging several SATA-based drives together in a RAID configuration; either way, you sacrifice TRIM support in Windows. OCZ's RevoDrive and RevoDrive X2 are two of the most well-known workstation-oriented offerings, since they're bootable.

But those two products are centered on the controller at the heart of OCZ's last-gen Vertex 2 family. Today we have Vertex 3, which employs SandForce's second-generation controller and is capable of surpassing the performance of even those PCI Express-based boards when you harness a couple of them in RAID. It's only natural, then, that the company would follow up with an SF-2200-equipped RevoDrive 3 X2 to redefine enthusiast-class workstation storage performance.

Vertex 2 E
RevoDrive X2
Vertex 3
RevoDrive 3 X2

OCZ's newest PCI Express-based SSD claims impressive performance thanks to a PCIe-to-SAS controller (remember, the RevoDrive X2 employed PCI-X-to-SATA) and four second-gen SandForce controllers.

No doubt, the RevoDrive 3 X2 is to Vertex 3 as the RevoDrive X2 was to the Vertex 2. The names make more sense when you consider that the original Vertex was Indilinx-based. So, the Vertex 2/RevoDrive center on first-gen SandForce logic, and the Vertex 3/RevoDrive 3 simply put both devices on the same generational level.

If you're a storage nut, it's hard not to get excited. If you've seen the video by our friends at Engadget, the RevoDrive X3 is the first enthusiast drive (don't count the LSI or Fusion-io products destined for enterprise installs) claiming speeds beyond 1 GB/s.

But if you're a price-conscious storage nut, you're also probably painfully aware that the fastest devices are the most expensive. And if a Vertex 3 SSD is pricey, the equivalent of multiple Vertex 3s on a PCI Express card are naturally even more so. The name of the game here is performance, and you're going to pay dearly for access to it.

With that understanding, the only questions that remain are: How does this drive achieve those bold claims? What are the real-world performance numbers look like? And does the RevoDrive 3 solve the compatibility issues Chris Angelini discussed at the beginning of OCZ’s RevoDrive X2: When A Fast PCIe SSD Isn’t Fast Enough?

OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2
Capacity
Price
Price Per GB

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