OCZ Z-Drive PCI-Express SSD Released [MLC/SLC OCZ p84 & e84 SSDs Boast 8 PCI-E Lanes & 4-way RAID 0 Configuration]

Of late OCZ have certainly been doing their part to push down the pricing of solid state drives – and are to be commended for doing so – but, if you’re looking for a high-performance SSD, such as their just released Z-Drive PCI-Express SSD, there’s simply no getting away from the fact that it’s going to cost you (and cost you dear).

And the OCZ Z-Drive PCI-Express SSD certainly doesn’t disappoint in this respect, but then nor does it in terms of performance with the new SSDs offering up to 800MB/s read speeds and 750MB/s write speeds – which, in terms of performance, sees the Z-Drive SSD go head to head with the likes of PhotoFast’s G-Monster and their G-Monster Promise (though, it has to be said, nowhere near in the same league as the previously featured Fusion-IO IODrive Duo).

Aimed specifically enterprise set-ups the bootable OCZ Z-Drive PCI-Express SSD comes with high-speed PCI-Express architecture boasting 8 PCI-E lanes coupled with a compact enterprise-grade RAID array comprising of an internal four-way RAID 0 configuration and are offering in both multi-level cell (MLC) and single-level cell (SLC) variants (OCZ p84 and OCZ e84 respectively) with capacities coming in at 256GB and 512GB with a 1TB capacity version (p84 only) following up the rear.

“Traditional enterprise storage technology typically requires overly complex infrastructure as well costly maintenance, and is often unable to deliver the level of performance required by OEM applications,” said Ryan Petersen, CEO of the OCZ Technology Group, who introduced the Z-Drive SSD range. “The new OCZ Z-Drive is an all-in-one high performance plug-and-play bootable PCI-E solid state drive that addresses these challenges head on, and meets the demands of the complete range of enterprise storage and data access requirements. The Z-Drive is designed not only to be higher performing and more reliable than conventional solutions, but also to significantly reduce both the maintenance and overall TCO for our clients.”

In terms of pricing you’ll be looking at forking out around $1500 for the 256GB variant whilst the 1TB p84 SSD will set you back some $3,300.

OCZ’s new MLC and SLC Z-Drive PCI-Express SSDs are available as of now.