Solid State Drive Roundup 2011 Storage   Page 2

Reviewer: RWL Staff Article Publish Date: 11/2/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEL 320 300GB

 

 

The 320 line of SSDs by Intel (also known as G3) is not new and in fact is a previous generation SATA II solution (although recently released). Still since it wasn't available when we performed our previous comparison we have it here with us now.

 

 

Inside the OEM box we received Intel packs just the 320 300GB SSD model and an installation paper. The retail package also includes a 3.5" adapter kit, SATA cable and a 4pin Moles to SATA power connector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the front of the unit we see a large sticker and the Intel logo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sticker informs you of the units model, capacity, factory loaded firmware version, serial number and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 320 always had an issue with the back of its casing since it looked like this (used) even at the time it reached their distributors. This issue however is resolved on the latest 510 series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The entire 320 line is based on SATA II and is of course also compatible with SATA III systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After opening the chassis it was quite obvious that the controller used by Intel is virtually the same as their G2 series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Intel controller used in the 320 series still comes with 256KB on-die SRAM it is somewhat improved compared with the one of the G2 series and so it also offers full disk encryption and NAND redundancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intel used a total of 20 Intel NAND memory ICs for the 320 300GB model each of which is 16GB in size and features two 64Gbit 25nm 2bit MLC NAND die.