The new Z-Drive uses a PCIe x8 connector, removing potential throughput bottlenecks, and houses MLC NAND chips arranged in a RAID0 configuration, powered by up-to four Indilinx RAID controllers and helped on by a 256MB buffer.
To be released in three flavours, the R2 p84 is due to debut with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB capacities, and is specified to run at a peak 850MB/s read and 800MB/s write and random 4K write of 7,500/7,700 IOPS and random 4K read of 29,000 IOPS for the two larger-capacity drives.
The R2 m84 sacrifices a little speed (800MB/s read and 750MB/s write) for larger capacities, available up to 2TB, and the R2 p88 provides the best of both worlds with an up-to 2TB capacity and peak 1,400MB/s read and 1,400MB/s write speeds (14,500 IOPS random 4K write and 29,000 random 4K read). Appreciating that they're RAIDed in nature, all drives ship with background garbage control, to keep performance at near-new levels.
Interestingly, the Z-Drive R2 features interchangeable NAND modules, enabling customisation throughout the lifespan of the SSD, which is backed up by a three-year warranty.
Performance rarely comes cheap, though, and the top-of-the-range 2TB R2 p88 is due to cost around £4,000.
