Hard disk with 1GB DDR RAM
Monday, September 3, 2007 by PPV
A Japanese firm called DTS developed a hybrid drive with a twist. Instead of using NAND flash memory, usually 256MB, it opted for 1GB of DDR Ram for the cache of its MCell drives. DTS markets the disc as being a significantly cheaper way to get some of the benefits of solid state drives without the price.
Considering that many 7200rpm SATA hard drives have sustained transfer rates on the order of 60MBps, the MCell can easily outperform it with its 110MBps in random read tests for data sizes of 64KB to 512MB.
The drive will initially be available in 80GB, 120GB, and 160GB sizes, with the 80GB model selling for ¥15,800 ($136.15).
Read more: Ars Technica
More image: Akiba PC Hotline
The Mcell is an interesting beast. In terms of size, it fits in the standard 3.5" form factor, but inside it actually contains a 2.5" 5400rpm hard drive, a stick of 1GB DDR2 RAM, and a special chip from DTS that contains a real-time OS and CPU. Don't let the slow RPM fool you. The combination of the write-through cache and the 2.5" disc should afford much quicker access times than with 3.5" 7200rpm drives.
Considering that many 7200rpm SATA hard drives have sustained transfer rates on the order of 60MBps, the MCell can easily outperform it with its 110MBps in random read tests for data sizes of 64KB to 512MB.
The drive will initially be available in 80GB, 120GB, and 160GB sizes, with the 80GB model selling for ¥15,800 ($136.15).
Read more: Ars Technica
More image: Akiba PC Hotline
