Intel Replaces Caching SSD 311 by 313

Not formally announced, the SSD 313 Series (code-named Hawley Creek), at only 20GB and 24GB, is not a replacement of hard disk drive but specifically a flash cache for HDD, not to be compared to most SSDs or Seagate hybrid HDD with a flash cache INSIDE the drive.

      
Intel 313 in mSATA and 2.5-inch form factors

They replaces the 311 series, code-named Larson Creek, up to 200MB/s and 105MB/s read and write.

Designed for Ivy Bridge’s new 7-series chipset, they are aimed at boosting Windows startup and wake times, especially for Windows 8 and ultrabooks.

For its new products, Intel emphasizes its Smart Response Technology, a feature of the Rapid Storage Technology

Smart Connect Technology is designed to update programs by periodically waking a PC from Sleep/Standby mode for a brief period of time. During the time the computer is awake, some programs will update information so that applications are up to date when you resume using the computer.

Intel Smart Response Technology enhances storage I/O caching by moving frequently used blocks of disk information to SSD, providing faster access to user data than the hard disk alone can provide. PC can take advantage of the HDD capacity and receive a boost in boot times and application launches for faster overall system responsiveness not far to that of an SSD-only system.

Using more costly SLC with more endurance than MLC like the 311, the 313 utilizes Intel 25nm NAND chips.

It is available in two form factors (2.5-inch SATA and mSATA) with 3Gb – and not 6Gb – SATA interface.

Strangely, the 24GB unit features a slower maximum read speed than the 20GB one, 160MB/s vs. 220MB/s, but write performance is faster, 115MB/s, compared to the smaller unit at 100MB/s.

It’s advisable to have at least 4GB RAM for the 20GB SSD version and 8GB for the 24GB one.

The 313 series can be found at retailers for around $120 for the 20GB model and $140 for the 24GB version or respectively 6$/GB and 5,8$/GB. That’s high prices for these small capacities and for a cache only device. Some larger capacity MLC SSDs are cheaper. And the Seagate Momentus XT 2.5-inch hybrid drive at 500GB with 3Gb SATA can be found for $112.49 at Amazon ($0.22/GB).

It’s the same price for the 2.5-inch and mSATA 313 models, even there is less material for mSATA.

              Specs of Intel SSD 313 Series