Super Talent Unveils First USB 3.0 Memory Stick

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 4th Nov 2009
Super Talent Unveils First USB 3.0 Memory Stick
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It may be just a memory key, but SuperTalent has announced the first of a new generation of memory keys which we've all been waiting for: ones equipped with USB 3.0!

Built around an NEC USB 3.0 controller, the 'SuperSpeed USB 3.0 RAIDDrive' is every bit the powerhouse its name implies. Plugged directly into a USB 3.0 port, SuperTalent claims the drive will deliver data rates of up to 200MB/sec while "using a separate UAS Protocol driver with a USB 3.0 port [it] can reach up to 320MB/sec transfer speeds".


Quick FYI: UAS (USB Attached SCSI) is a protocol developed by the USB-IF which promises faster and more consistent performance from USB devices, while also lowering CPU usage. Furthermore, both 200MB/sec and 320MB/sec are far ahead of most USB 3.0 external hard drives we've seen to date, even if they are still some way off the 480MB/sec theoretical limit of the new standard.

128GB, 64GB and 32GB SuperSpeed USB 3.0 RAIDDrives will be released and while chunky at 95 x 37 x 13mm, they will come with a confidence building lifetime warranty and guarantee of 10 years data retention. Prices? Not yet, but they debut in December so we should find out soon.

In related news Nvidia has somewhat burst our happy bubble by confirming industry rumours that Intel chipsets won't adopt USB 3.0 until 2011.

Speaking to TG Daily, Nvidia spokesman Brian Burke said "Intel is postponing USB 3.0 introduction until 2011. With no competition in chipsets, it seems Intel has decided that innovation is not needed for USB any time soon. With no one to push Intel to innovate, PC enthusiasts are left with Intel chipsets and the features and performance they deliver, or lack there of."

Meow. Then again, Burke does have a point and Intel's seeming reticence to adopt USB 3.0 may partly be because of a strong belief in its own Light Peak technology. Until then partners can use discrete USB 3.0 controllers (as seen in the Asus P7P55D-E, but it is hardly ideal. Besides, we'd like something that is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 if you don't mind Intel...

Links:
SuperTalent Press Release
via TG Daily

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comment Gordon said on 4th November 2009

@Xiphias - oh you cynic! In reality we should be looking at speeds not far off this as the first USB 3.0 external drives are testing fairly close to their performance claims. Of co... more

comment b166er said on 5th November 2009

Thumbs up for getting it out there, thumbs down for the sneaky name; RAIDDrive indeed!
As for Intel not adopting USB3, I bet that's a ploy and they'll release news that they... more

comment pewpew said on 5th November 2009

am I right that when using this at an usb 2.0 slot, u should archieve significant higher speeds than using any other USB2.0 sticks because the new bottleneck shouldn't be the stick... more

comment Xiphias said on 5th November 2009

@pewpew: No, you're not right. On a fast stick the limitation is the USB2 connection, so this one will hit the same 30-35MB/s speed (for large files) as a good USB2 stick.

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