Intel series 520 240GB SSD review

Specifications and Features

So the sample that has arrived in our secret test facility is the 240GB version of the drive, which means it's also faster compared to the 120GB model.

The 520 series will come with asynchronous NAND, Intel has not yet released a spec sheet on the memory though Intel's proprietary NAND flash used is labeled: 29F16b0bccme2

The SSD leverages a SandForce SF-2281 controller and SATA 6 Gb/s interface to deliver read speeds up to 550 MB/s and writes up to 520 MB/s depending on volume size of the SSD.

Specifications

• 60GB, 120GB, 180GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities
• SandForce SF-2281 SSD processor
• SATA 6.0 Gbps interface
• Up to 550MB/s sequential read speeds
• Up to 520MB/s sequential write speeds
• Maximum 4K random write: 80,000 IOPS
• TRIM Support

Features

• SandForce SF-2200 series SSD processor paired with qualified MLC NAND flash for best performance, value and reliability
• SATA 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s and 1.5Gb/s
• TRIM support (O/S dependent)
• Intelligent Block Management and Wear Leveling
• Intelligent Read Disturb Management
• Intelligent "Recycling" for advance free space management (Garbage Collection)
• Intelligent Data Retention optimization
• ECC protection for longest data retention and drive life.
• Power/Performance Balancing
• Thermal Threshold Management
• Native Command Queuing (NCQ) - Up to 32 commands
• ECC Recovery: Up to 55 bits correctable per 512-byte sector (BCH)
• Sequential Read & Write Transfer:
  60GB model; Up to 550MB/s read | 475MB/s Write
  120GB models; 550MB/s read | 500MB/s Write
  180/240/480GB models; 550MB/s read | 520MB/s Write
• Max Random Write IOPS:
  60GB model; Up to 80K (4K aligned)
• O/S Support: Windows® XP / Vista / 7 / Mac® OS / Linux

Initial tests straight away show us that the product is fast alright, this product stays on top of the latest Marvell, Indilinx and sure, Intel's previous latest and greatest as well. Once it will become available in the stores you'll notice five SKUs initially, a 60GB, 120GB, 180GB, 240GB and 480GB 6Gbps SATA 3 interface based SSD.