14 DAY TRIAL // While Toshiba is experimenting with coin-sized PCI Express solid state drives, Kingston is going with the slightly better established M.2 form factor. Specifically, it has launched the HyperX Predator PCIe SSD line.
The term PCI Express SSD is actually something of a misnomer, since the new storage devices are not, in fact, PCI Express drives.
True, they use the PCI Express root complex, specifically a 4-lane configuration, but the form factor is not the one normally associated with this sort of storage devices. Instead, the M.2 PCB model is used.
Then again, we're pretty certain that M.2 SSDs will replace PCI Express ones altogether in time and will leave the normal slots to video, sound, network and accessory cards, as used to be the case.
Anyway, the HyperX Predator line of solid state drives is composed of M.2 storage devices with up to 960 GB capacity and 1.4 Gbps performance.
The Kingston HyperX Predator PCIe SSD series
There are three storage units in the series, though only two of them are available at the moment, with prices still unspecified: 240 GB and 480 GB.
The third and best unit, with a capacity of 960 GB, will be launched in late first or second quarter of 2015.
The top read speed is of 1,400 MB/s, or 1.4 GB/s, while the writing speed goes all the way to 1,000 MB/s. Probably a bit faster for the 960 GB one, maybe, but we can't be certain.
Kingston will be selling the drives with or without a Half-Height Half-Length adapter, which will make sure they are compatible with both new and older motherboards. Furthermore, the company will provide three years of warranty and free technical support.
"As enthusiast desktop users and datacenter customers seek greater performance to break through 6Gb/s SATA limitation, Marvell's X4-lane PCIe SSD Controller 88SS9293 provides lightning fast, next-generation SSD performance," said Mike Chen, director of product marketing, Storage BU, Marvell.
Availability and pricing
The Kingston HyperX Predator PCIe SSDs of 240 GB and 480 GB should be put up for sale sooner rather than later, for unknown prices. The 960 GB one will, as we said, take a bit longer. The Marvell 88SS9293 controller powers all of them.