Asus Republic of Gamers: RAIDR Express PCIe-based SSD

ASUS ROG (ASUSTeK Computer Inc.) announced RAIDR Express, a PCIe-based SSD with a DuoMode feature that allows it to work with either legacy or modern UEFI BIOS.

Aimed at hardcore gamers and PC enthusiasts demanding a faster and more reliable computer experience, RAIDR Express combines compatibility and performance with durability.

With 240GB capacity, sequential 830MB/s read and 810MB/s write speeds, and bundled with features that maintain the high-speed performance and extend the lifespan, RAIDR Express is made for speed-demons. Boasting the gorgeous ROG red and black design with double-sided metal shielding and a 620,000 hours MTBF to ensure quality, RAIDR Express is built to last.

Design and flexibility
RAIDR Express isn’t like other SSDs. It’s a PCIe-based SSD with DuoMode BIOS support. With two BIOS chips onboard, it includes a hardware switch that lets users alternate between legacy and UEFI modes, ensuring the compatibility with PCs old and new.

In legacy mode, the RAIDR Express can be used on older motherboards – those with a traditional (non-UEFI) BIOS. By switching to UEFI mode, users can boost PC start-up times. With the flexibility of choosing which mode is best, users can enjoy the benefits of both.

Made for speed demons
With the latest generation dual LSI SandForce controller, Toshiba-made 19nm 16K-page size MLC sync-NAND flash, 100,000 4K R/W IO/s and 830/810MB/s sequential R/W speeds, RAIDR Express doesn’t keep users waiting.

As well, it has several other speed-boosting tricks up its sleeve. The bundled RAMDisk utility that allows users to dedicate up to 80% of a computer’s available RAM for use as a high-speed virtual drive that accelerates the loading of favorite applications and games. In ASUS tests, read speeds of over 12,000MB/s were reached.

RAMDisk extends the life of RAIDR Express by reducing unnecessary write operations. It backs itself up to the main system drive when the PC is shut down and restores itself automatically at power-up, for maximum speed and minimum hassle. The ROG SSD TweakIt tool ups the speed stakes by relocating repetitive write activities to the RAMDisk for faster operation, while keeping RAIDR Express at peak performance for much longer. It can also be used to apply a preset profile that refines processor settings automatically to achieve additional speed boosts of up to 5%.

RAIDR Express also includes ROG HybriDisk technology super-charges HDD drive storage. HybriDisk allows RAIDR Express to act as a solid-state cache for high-capacity HDDs up to 4TB, but its PCIe architecture means data transfers smash the 600MB/s SATA limit for traditional PC storage. The included ROG CrystalDiskMark benchmark tool allows users to see for themselves just how fast RAIDR Express can go – and keep on going.

Fast, compatible and built to last
RAIDR Express is fast and offers a wide system compatibility, but it’s also built to last. It is rated at an 620,000 hours’ MTBF, so users are assured year after year of trouble-free use and testing ensures wide system compatibility.

It also has a durable design packed with ROG innovations designed to extend its lifespan. Tough, double-sided metal shielding provides heat dissipation and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI), improving cooling and overall stability.

Specs of ASUS ROG RAIDR Express (Test results based on the ATTO Disk Benchmark and Iometer)