Intel Generation 3 SSDs (320 model)

[corisin]

Has anyone come across any info on if Lenovo will be offering the G3 Intel SSDs that are supposed to launch in mid-April? Specifically I've seen the model numbers 320 (replaces X25-M G2) and the 520.

[Q-Ball]

I wonder about that model number- Intel 320 would logically be the successor to the Intel 310 mSATA SSD's, 520 would be the successor to the Intel 510 2.5" x 9.5mm SSD.

So the X25M-G2's successor is, well, the X25M-G3.

I believe Lenovo would offer the X25M-G3 series when it becomes available- since it's a.) faster and b.) able to fit into the T420s as well as the T420/T520/W520.

It's conceivable that Lenovo would use mostly the X25-M G3 line since all you have to do to make that X25-M fit in the T420s is take that plastic spacer off (the T420s doesn't take 9.5 mm drives, only 7 mm ones).

It's also faster without being more expensive- but the issue is that it's still left in the dust compared to even SandForce SF-1200 drives (SATA II). There's no contest between the G3 and any SATA III SandForce drives.

[amardeep]

I think the X25M's successor is the 510 (2.5") and the 310 is small form factor (mSATA). See anandtech 510 review and anandtech 310 info. I'm not sure what the plan is for Intel 1.8" SSD's.

Edit : Oh, I got this slightly wrong, from the first article I linked to, "The “G3” we’ve all been waiting for will still come. That’ll be Intel’s first 25nm SSD and it should carry specs similar to what we already published. However the focus of the drive will be the mainstream. To take care of the high end Intel created a new drive: the Intel SSD 510 (codename Elmcrest) and it uses a Marvell 9174 6Gbps controller." So, the 510 can be used to replace a 2.5" X-25M G2 or you can wait for the appearance of an X-25M G3.

[corisin]

My reason for wanting the G3 Intel is solely because it offers native AES disk-encryption (the G2 does not). And Lenovo seems to only offer Intel or Samsung I would prefer to get a SandForce because they have offered the native encryption option for a while now, but I cannot find SandForce SSDs as an option for a Lenovo laptop. I'm afraid to try to install one manually cause I'm not very knowledgeable about computers.

Here a link describing the 320 as the third generation X25-M
http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/Int ... ril-2.png/

[bill bolton]

Right now there is quite a bit of general user concern related to the performance of drives based on 25nm technology..... for the time being I advise care in jumping onto that technology.

My expectation is that it will stablise, but I'm not sure when.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[ljwobker]

Corisin- replacing a hard drive in a laptop is one of the easiest modifications you can do - it's much less complex than the display or other internal components. There are links here to the hardware reference manuals so you could look there and see for yourself how much work is involved... but at least on the last 4 thinkpads that I have owned, replacing the hard drive was a matter of removing a single screw.

Failing that, there are very likely folks in your immediate area (co-workers, friends, area teenagers, fellow polo-club members who could help as well.

[AMATX]

For a novice, replacing the hard drive is not the issue; cloning the drive correctly w/data and being bootable is usually the stumbling block.

That said, ^ post about friends/co-workers is worth checking out. It's actually easy to replace/clone a drive, but the first time out it can be a bit tricky.

[amardeep]

And if it's a brand new laptop you can just make the rescue disks and then swap the hard drive and reinstall using the disks, should be very easy. I think that will leave you with the system in the same state as the original (but using the new hdd).

[corisin]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Right now there is quite a bit of general user concern related to the performance of drives based on 25nm technology..... for the time being I advise care in jumping onto that technology.

My expectation is that it will stablise, but I'm not sure when.

Cheers,

Bill B.

I haven't heard or read about problems. Can you give me a link that explains more about it? What are some of the problems with 25nm?

[yak]

I haven't heard or read about problems. Can you give me a link that explains more about it? What are some of the problems with 25nm?

Google for OCZ Vertex 2 switch from 34nm to 25nm. The drives got smaller and slower.

[corisin]

Thanks for letting me know about this problem with 25nm guys. Guess I'll stick with 34. Sounds like encryption isn't a problem with 34 if you just use software method.

How do I enable AHCI in the BIOS before I install the OS? Sounds like this is a MUST when using encryption.

[amardeep]

The original poster was correct, "The Intel SSD 320 Review: 25nm G3 is Finally Here" http://www.anandtech.com/show/4244/intel-ssd-320-review

[ThinkRob]

The 320 isn't exactly "left in the dust" by the SF-1200-based drives, particularly when you consider the fact that 1) the performance doesn't crater when dealing with uncompressable data 2) it's a proven controller design with an excellent reliability record. In fact, it actually out-performs the SF-1200 drives in a number of realistic scenarios. Pretty neat for a three year-old hardware design!