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Overall we have generally positive feelings regarding the Intel 320 Series 300 GB solid state drive. When it comes to throughput, the 320 Series may not be up there with the latest Sandforce drives today but it easily achieved the performance figures claimed by Intel.
For those who are upgrading from a traditional hard drive, the real world performance difference will still be massive. That said, those people looking for ultimate performance via a SATA 3 port should consider a Sandforce 2281 based drive.
Intel's 300 GB capacity gives you more space than a standard 240 GB or 256 GB solid state drive without a massive price premium. This makes the 320 Series 300 GB drive a great option for those looking to upgrade a notebook when the extra space would be useful for media files.
If you buy the version without the spacer on top or remove the spacer yourself, it is also compatible with ultra slim laptops that can only fit 7mm, rather than 9.5mm drives.
Intel are trying to cater for every user with capacities available ranging from 40 GB to 600 GB. You need to bear in mind that the performance of the drive will vary for different capacities, so you need to check the specification carefully before buying. As a general rule, the larger the capacity of the drive, the better the performance will be.
Unfortunately, the Intel 320 Series 300 GB solid state drive is a little pricey. At £435 from Scan, it is more expensive than many of the latest 240 GB Sandforce drives, which offer better performance. If the price moved much closer to the £1 per GB mark then we could wholeheartedly recommend it. As it stands, still worth considering.
Pros
- Generous Capacity.
- Good Performance.
- Compatible with slimline laptops.
Cons
- Pricey.
- Sandforce drives perform much better.
KitGuru says: A good drive that is let down by the high price in today's market.
