Monumental OCZ PCI Express Z-Drive SSD Hits Retail

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 21st Sep 2009
Monumental OCZ PCI Express Z-Drive SSD Hits Retail
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We've lusted after the OCZ Z Drive ever since we first saw it back in March and now we can get our hands on one - if only we could afford it!

OCZ has confirmed to us that six models of Z Drive are now on sale in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities with a choice of MLC (multi level cell) or *brace your wallet* SLC (single level cell) NAND flash memory.


So first (and in order to make you hate us by the end) is the performance data. OCZ states the PCI Express based line will see 750MB/sec and 800MB/sec read speeds from MLC and SLC drives respectively and 650MB/s (MLC) and 750MB/sec (SLC) write speeds along with 10,000 (MLC) and 16,000 (SLC) IOPS (4k file size - random write). These are ballistic figures somewhere about 3/4x other leading SSDs. Perhaps I haven't mentioned the coolest part yet though since, despite being PCI Express based, the Z Drive is bootable. That's right, you can install your OS on it for an untouchably fast PC.

MTBF (mean time before failure) is quoted at 900,000 hours, they are also compatible with Windows XP 32/64, Vista 32/64, Windows 7 32/64, Linux, Mac OS X 10 and above while each drive comes with a three year warranty.

So the painful bit: price. OCZ has only given us RRPs for the SLC models (p84) which come in at *take a seat* $1,349.99 (256GB), $2,149.99 (512GB) and $4,049.99 (1TB). The MLC variants (e84) should be significantly less, but no matter I suspect it is time to pick your jaw up off the floor and admit defeat. It's painful I know...

Link:
Z Drive Product Page

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comment Peter said on 21st September 2009

Whack a couple of these in a Power Mac and Final cut users will like you. 1080p uncompressed is 1.5Gbps (1TB = 90 mins.)

comment ThaDon said on 21st September 2009

I @Keith: I don't think even WINDOWS can stop these babies! A well-specced, well-patched, well defragged, well serviced XP machine and a well-used OSX machine are nearly neck and n... more

comment Digital Fury said on 22nd September 2009

@Peter, you can do this today with a high-end Areca or HighPoint RAID-6 card and 8x HDs for way less money.

comment betelgeus said on 22nd September 2009

digital fury what are you on? that card gives a sustained read of about 100mb this is 750mb

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