Intel 335 Series 240GB SSD Review

By Joe Evans

Intel Tweaks Their SandForce Drive

Intel SSD 335 Series

For those awaiting a new Intel SSD with an Intel controller, I’ll spoil whatever hopes or anticipation you may have while channeling my inner Obi-Wan Kenobi by saying right up front that new 335 Series is not the drive you were looking for. Instead, under the hood you’ll find the familiar sight of the SandForce (LSI) SF-2281 controller. It’s really just a minor refresh of the 330 Series of drives but is also on par with the 520 Series in performance. The newness comes in with the NAND paired with the controller which is an industry leading 20nm in architecture and produced in collaboration with IM Flash Technologies (IMFT). We’ll talk a bit more about this when we have a look inside the drive. Intel also incorporates their customized firmware which, as far as we know, is as bug free as it gets since the spent countless hours tweaking it – because that’s how they roll. We know this will help keep the drive affordable but how this all plays into performance we’ll try to prove out with our suite of tests.

Intel 335 240GB

For performance, Intel suggests the 6Gbps interfaced drives will see reads at 500MB/s and writes at 450MB/s. Before you scoff, note that these aren’t maximum capable throughputs but more along the line of averages on normal workloads whereas many manufacturers list their specifications at maximum performance. We all know, especially when it comes to SandForce drives that maximum performance typically only happens in perfect circumstance, artificial settings such as on some benchmarks. In addition, Intel touts the 4KB reads to hit up to 42,000 IOPS and writes up to 52,000 IOPS.

Intel 335 240GB

Intel 335 Series SSD Features and Specifications:

  • CAPACITY: 240GB
  • COMPONENTS:
  • Intel 20nm NAND Flash Memory
  • Multi-Level Cell (MLC)
  • FORM FACTOR: 2.4-inch
  • THICKNESS: 9.5mm
  • WEIGHT: Up to 78 grams
  • SATA 6Gbps BANDWIDTH PERFORMANCE (IOM QD32):
    • SUSTAINED SEQ READ: 500 MB/s
    • SUSTAINED SEQ WRITE: 450 MB/s
  • READ & WRITE IOPS (IOM QD32):
    • RANDOM 4KB READS: Up to 42,000 IOPS
    • RANDOM 4KB WRITES: Up to 52,000 IOPS
  • COMPATIBILITY:
    • Intel SSD Toolbox w/SSD Optimizer
    • Intel Data Migration Software
    • Intel Rapid Storage Technology
    • Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets (w/ SATA 6Gpbs)
    • SATA Revision 3.0
    • ACS-2 (ATA/ATAPI Command Set 2)
    • Limited SMART ATA Feature Set
    • Native Command Queuing (NCQ) Command Set
    • Data Set Management Command Trim Attribute
  • POWER MANAGEMENT:
    • 5 V SATA Supply Rail
    • SATA Link Power Management (LPM)
  • POWER:
    • Active (MobileMark 2007 Workload: 350 mW (TYP)
    • Idle: 275 mW (TYP)
  • TEMPERATURE:
    • Operating: 0C to 70C
    • Non-Operating: -55C to 95C
  • CERTIFICATIONS & DECLARATION:
    • UL
    • CE
    • C-Tick
    • BSMI
    • KCC
    • Microsoft WHQL
    • VCCI
    • SATA-IO
  • PRODUCT ECOLOGICAL COMPLIANCE:
    • RoHS

    Intel 335 240GB Accessories

    Carrying an MSRP of $184, Intel sent us their 240GB drive and desktop bundle kit which comes with an assortment of goodies such as a 2.5″ to 3.5″ adapter plate and necessary screws, SATA 6Gbps signal and power cables, a small disk with installation instructions, and finally the always comical Intel “speed demon” sticker. Also included via download is complementary data migration and SSD Toolbox software which are both immensely helpful.

    Intel 335 240GB

    Aesthetically, there’s not much to discuss as the design is rather austere bare aluminum exterior with only the Intel logo on the front and the typical product info sticker on the back. Intel is all business with this one. Gone is the plastic bumper that used to reside on the older Intel SSDs.

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