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ASUS launches ROG RAIDR Express PCI Express-based SSD
ASUS today finally launches their RaidR PCI Express-based SSD. The card has a DuoMode feature that allows it to work with either legacy (traditional) or modern UEFI BIOS. With 240 GB capacity, sequential 830 MB/s read and 810 MB/s write speeds, and bundled with tons of features that maintain the high-speed performance and extend the lifespan.
Boasting the gorgeous ROG red and black design with double-sided metal shielding and an incredible 620,000 hours mean time between failure (MTBF) to ensure quality, RAIDR Express is built to last.
Exclusive design, exclusive flexibility
RAIDR Express isn't like other SSDs. It's the world's first and only PCIe-based SSD with DuoMode BIOS support. With two BIOS chips onboard, RAIDR Express includes a hardware switch that lets users easily alternate between legacy and UEFI modes, ensuring the best compatibility with PCs old and new.
In legacy mode, the RAIDR Express can be used on older motherboards - those with a traditional (non-UEFI) BIOS. By switching to UEFI mode, users can significantly boost PC startup times. With the flexibility of choosing which mode is best, users can enjoy the benefits of both.
Made for real speed demons
With the latest generation dual LSI SandForce controller, Toshiba-made 19 nm 16K-page size multi-level cell (MLC) sync-NAND flash, 100,000 4K read/write input/output operations per second (IOPS) and 830/ 810 MB/s sequential read/write speeds, RAIDR Express doesn't keep users waiting.
As well, RAIDR Express has several other speed-boosting tricks up its sleeve. The bundled RAMDisk utility that allows users to dedicate up to 80% of a computer's available RAM for use as a high-speed virtual drive that accelerates the loading of favorite applications and games. In ASUS tests, read speeds of over 12,000 MB/s were reached.
Better still, RAMDisk extends the life of RAIDR Express by reducing unnecessary write operations. RAMDisk even backs itself up to the main system drive when the PC is shut down and restores itself automatically at power-up, for maximum speed and minimum hassle. The ROG SSD TweakIt tool ups the speed stakes still further by relocating repetitive write activities to the RAMDisk for even faster operation, while keeping RAIDR Express at peak performance for much longer. SSD TweakIt can also be used to apply a preset profile that refines processor settings automatically to achieve additional speed boosts of up to 5%.
RAIDR Express also includes ROG HybriDisk technology super-charges hard disk drive storage. HybriDisk allows RAIDR Express to act as a solid-state cache for high-capacity hard drives up to 4 TB, but its PCIe architecture means data transfers smash the 600 MB/s SATA limit for traditional PC storage. The included ROG CrystalDiskMark benchmark tool allows users to see for themselves just how fast RAIDR Express can go - and keep on going.
Fast, compatible and built to last
RAIDR Express is fast and offers the widest system compatibility, but it's also built to last. RAIDR Express is rated at an amazing 620,000 hours' mean time between failure (MTBF), so users are assured year after year of trouble-free use and strict testing ensures wide system compatibility.
RAIDR Express also has a highly durable design packed with unique ROG innovations designed to extend its lifespan. Tough, double-sided metal shielding provides great heat dissipation and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI), improving cooling and overall stability.
Specification
- PCI Express 2.0 x2
- 240 GB capacity
- Dual LSI SandForce SF-2281 controllers
- Toshiba 19 nm 16K page size MLC Sync-NAND Flash
- Sequential read/write speed: 830/810 MB/s
- Up to 100,000 4K read/write IOPS (Input/Output operations Per Second)
- Legacy and UEFI BIOS support
- Driver-free with TRIM support
- Windows 7 / Windows 8 compatible
- Windows 8 Secure Boot compatible
- 157 x 120 x 20 mm
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miffywiffy
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#4626539 Posted on: 07/26/2013 02:29 PM
Until motherboards get bigger I'll stick with sata, thanx to the ports being so close together most PCIe slots are covered up by giant GPUs.
Until motherboards get bigger I'll stick with sata, thanx to the ports being so close together most PCIe slots are covered up by giant GPUs.
Pill Monster
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#4626548 Posted on: 07/26/2013 02:56 PM
Really handy if you transfer files all day long.
And why would Asus they include a RamDisk app? Hardly needed with an SSD....
Really handy if you transfer files all day long.
And why would Asus they include a RamDisk app? Hardly needed with an SSD....
Anusha
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#4626566 Posted on: 07/26/2013 03:25 PM
Really handy if you transfer files all day long.
And why would Asus they include a RamDisk app? Hardly needed with an SSD....
i can extend the lifespan of the SSD.
Really handy if you transfer files all day long.
And why would Asus they include a RamDisk app? Hardly needed with an SSD....
i can extend the lifespan of the SSD.
alxtorrentazos
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Senior Member
Posts: 227
Joined: 2007-10-08
#4626588 Posted on: 07/26/2013 03:59 PM
Really handy if you transfer files all day long.
And why would Asus they include a RamDisk app? Hardly needed with an SSD....
The bundled RAMDisk utility that allows users to dedicate up to 80% of a computer's available RAM for use as a high-speed virtual drive that accelerates the loading of favorite applications and games. In ASUS tests, read speeds of
Really handy if you transfer files all day long.
And why would Asus they include a RamDisk app? Hardly needed with an SSD....
The bundled RAMDisk utility that allows users to dedicate up to 80% of a computer's available RAM for use as a high-speed virtual drive that accelerates the loading of favorite applications and games. In ASUS tests, read speeds of
over 12,000 MB/s
were reached.
The Laughing Ma
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Senior Member
Posts: 3519
Joined: 2008-04-12
#4626683 Posted on: 07/26/2013 07:01 PM
Was looking at something like this as a performance boost for my older Maximus 3. It's currently stuck with an older slower SSD on a Sata interface my main concern is will the system use a PCI-e device as a system boot device?
Was looking at something like this as a performance boost for my older Maximus 3. It's currently stuck with an older slower SSD on a Sata interface my main concern is will the system use a PCI-e device as a system boot device?
Pill Monster
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Posts: 25216
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#4626688 Posted on: 07/26/2013 07:09 PM
Asus benchmarks are one thing, real life scenarios are something else.
i can extend the lifespan of the SSD.
Better still, RAMDisk extends the life of RAIDR Express by reducing unnecessary write operations. RAMDisk even backs itself up to the main system drive when the PC is shut down
^^I don't think writing GB's of data to the SSD every time the PC is shut down will extend it's lifespan..... Disabling PF can reduce unnecessary writes.The bundled RAMDisk utility that allows users to dedicate up to 80% of a computer's available RAM for use as a high-speed virtual drive that accelerates the loading of favorite applications and games. In ASUS tests, read speeds of
over 12,000 MB/s
were reached.Asus benchmarks are one thing, real life scenarios are something else.
TheDeeGee
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#4626762 Posted on: 07/26/2013 10:07 PM
You can buy 512GB of SSDs for the same price with a better controller. And with normal use the speeds wont make a difference.
Just like them OCZ RevoDrives, overpriced nonsense.
Also a lifespan of 70 years, really : / Id like to see who runs this even after 10 years.
You can buy 512GB of SSDs for the same price with a better controller. And with normal use the speeds wont make a difference.
Just like them OCZ RevoDrives, overpriced nonsense.
Also a lifespan of 70 years, really : / Id like to see who runs this even after 10 years.
miffywiffy
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#4626765 Posted on: 07/26/2013 10:15 PM
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
TheDeeGee
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#4626766 Posted on: 07/26/2013 10:18 PM
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
My OCZ Vertex 120GB from late 2009 is at 92%. It seen RAID0 a couple of flashes and Windows installs.
Thats the Vertex 1 with Indilix Barefoot controller.
I'm using that for Skyrim Mod storage atm.
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
My OCZ Vertex 120GB from late 2009 is at 92%. It seen RAID0 a couple of flashes and Windows installs.
Thats the Vertex 1 with Indilix Barefoot controller.
I'm using that for Skyrim Mod storage atm.
PhazeDelta1
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#4626768 Posted on: 07/26/2013 10:23 PM
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
I've written over 3Tb to my SDD and it still performs just the way it did when I first got it.
Also, I stumbled upon this article yesterday. It's a pretty neat read
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6459/samsung-ssd-840-testing-the-endurance-of-tlc-nand
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
I've written over 3Tb to my SDD and it still performs just the way it did when I first got it.
Also, I stumbled upon this article yesterday. It's a pretty neat read
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6459/samsung-ssd-840-testing-the-endurance-of-tlc-nand
Iggyblack
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#4626833 Posted on: 07/27/2013 12:21 AM
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
My OCZ died a year and a half after I got it :/
Has anyone hit the lifespan of their SSD? I've had one since 2010 and I download ALOT, I mean I'm such a heavy user my HDDs used to die yearly.
I've not managed to kill off a single SSD yet.
My OCZ died a year and a half after I got it :/
deltatux
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#4626914 Posted on: 07/27/2013 05:15 AM
The fact that it uses Sandforce controllers loses my interest. I'm not even talking about price. Sandforce controllers are only good at compressible data, for uncompressible data, they're a lot slower than other controllers out there like Marvell, LAMD, Indilinx and Samsung ones.
I'm happy with my 256 GB Samsung 830 so I'm still good.
deltatux
The fact that it uses Sandforce controllers loses my interest. I'm not even talking about price. Sandforce controllers are only good at compressible data, for uncompressible data, they're a lot slower than other controllers out there like Marvell, LAMD, Indilinx and Samsung ones.
I'm happy with my 256 GB Samsung 830 so I'm still good.
deltatux
drac
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#4626919 Posted on: 07/27/2013 06:31 AM
Its possible to use pci-e 1x cards in full size pci-e slots, so not really an issue, unless you've got micro-atx or something.
Until motherboards get bigger I'll stick with sata, thanx to the ports being so close together most PCIe slots are covered up by giant GPUs.
Its possible to use pci-e 1x cards in full size pci-e slots, so not really an issue, unless you've got micro-atx or something.
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sweeet this beats any SSD right now by doubling the BW. I wonder if RAID Express would become the standard in the future.