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Intel is better known for its processors than its solid state disks, but the 40GB X25-V is actually the latest in a long line of SSDs from the processor giant. At just £90, it looks cheap but it actually has a high cost per gigabyte of £2.25.
As well as the small capacity of just 40GB, compromises have been made in performance to keep the price low. Although the X25-V is fast at reading files, it’s much slower at writing them. Large files were read at a quick 120.8MB/s, while small files were read at an incredibly quick 150MB/s. In light of these incredible read speeds, it’s no surprise that our huge Crysis level was ready to play in a mere 24 seconds – the fastest time we’ve seen.
Even if you could live with the high cost and poor write speeds, the X25-V’s measly 40GB capacity means it’s not a lot of use, aside from a basic boot disk. Although it is possible to squeeze Windows 7 and a handful of programs onto it, Windows and many programs create temporary files which would quickly fill up the X25-V. Even if you want a SSD on a budget, there are bigger SSDs with more consistent performance available for only a few pounds more.
