OCZ prepping next-gen Vertex SSDs, more

It wouldn't be CES without new products from companies like OCZ, and the firm won't disappoint this year. The company is preparing to showcase its next-generation Vertex solid-state drives. Aimed at the performance market, the Vertex 2 SSD will be comprised of MLC NAND flash and ship in 50GB, 100GB, 200GB, and 400GB capacities, with read and write speeds of 270MB/s and 260MB/s.


For enterprise customers, the company is preparing two slightly faster drives: the Vertex 2 Pro and Vertex 2 Pro EX. The first is MLC-based, will be made in the same capacities as the Vertex 2, and claims 19,000 IOPS (4K random write). The second features SLC flash, will max out at 200GB, and offers 25,000 IOPS. Both drives are said to have read and write rates of 280MB/s and 270/MBs. Vertex 2 drives are expected to hit shelves in March, but the jury's out on pricing.

Additionally, OCZ plans to introduce several PCIe SSD drives in the first quarter, including both enterprise and consumer-level goods -- though you can expect to pay through the nose for either -- and external USB 3.0 drives are also on the table.