New Intel MLC SSD DC S3700

As big data, HPC and cloud-computing applications push the demand for real-time access of data into the zettabytes, Intel Corporation announced its next-generation data center SSD, the Solid-State Drive DC S3700 Series, designed to remove storage bottlenecks and maximize multi-core CPU performance.

intel_mlc_ssd_dc_s3700

The SSD DC S3700 Series delivers fast, consistent performance and low latencies along with data protection and high endurance to help IT personnel support today’s demanding data center applications including big data, HPC and cloud applications.

"Today’s data explosion creates unique storage challenges for data center professionals," said Rob Crooke, Intel VP and GM for the Intel Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) Solutions Group. "High latencies and slow storage I/O can cripple data centers’ ability to deliver exciting big data or cloud-computing applications with fast, low latency data access. Intel’s next-generation Intel SSD DC S3700 Series breaks through SSD limitations for the data center on all fronts – fast, consistent performance, strong data protection and high endurance – so IT professionals can deliver on their most demanding technology initiatives."

The key to the SSD DC S3700 Series consistent fast performance is a tight distribution of IOPS with low latencies. It feeds I/O-starved applications with 4KB random read performance of up to 75,000 IOPS and 4KB write performance of up to 36,000 IOPS. With typical sequential write latency of 65 microseconds and high QOS of less than 500 microseconds 99.9% of the time, it ensures quick and consistent application response times.

This accelerated storage performance gives parallel multithreaded computing increased storage throughput to keep multicore CPUs more active. This reduces lapses in response time for end users for a smoother computing experience. For IT/data center professionals who must also worry about data protection and maximum security, SSD DC S3700 Series offers end-to-end data protection and 256-bit AES capability. To improve reliability, it incorporates an array of surplus flash memory used for data redundancy to minimize potential data loss.

The drive incorporates Intel High Endurance Technology (HET) to deliver SLC SSD-like endurance in more cost-effective MLC technology. By combining SSD NAND management techniques with NAND silicon enhancements, HET enables the SSD DC S37000 Series to achieve 10 full drive writes per day over the 5-year life of the drive. This is the equivalent of recording more than 186 years of HD video over the life of the highest capacity 800GB drive.

In addition, SSDs also improve overall power consumption. The SSD DC 3700 Series reduces typical active power consumption to 6 watts and idle 650 milliwatts, which reduces heat and therefore lowers both energy and cooling costs.

The SSD DC S3700 Series is a 6Gbps SATA drive with performance transfer rates of 500MB/s reads and 460MB/s writes. It delivers up to 2x read and 15x write performance over its previous generation SSD 710 Series.

Samples of the product are available for data center customers to begin quality and validation cycles. General production availability is expected to begin by the end of the year, with volume production in the first quarter of 2013.

The product comes in a 2.5-inch form factor for all capacities, 100GB, 200GB, 400GB and 800GB, and in a 1.8-inch form factor in 200GB and 400GB capacities.

The MSRP is as follows for 2.5-inch units
based on 1,000-unit quantities.