The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →PhotoFast’s “smoking fast” PowerDrive SSD was the PowerDrive-LSI, a solid-state drive announced in 2010 that connected through a PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot rather than SATA. HotHardware reported speeds of up to 1,400 MB/s for reads and 1,500 MB/s for writes, but its article presented these as specifications—not results from independent testing.
What the PowerDrive-LSI was
HotHardware described the PowerDrive-LSI as a PCIe SSD built with MLC NAND flash. Its PCI Express 2.0 x8 interface set it apart from conventional SATA drives of the period. The article’s author, Paul Lilly, wrote: “Forget about SATA 6Gpbs, the PowerDrive-LSI slides into a x8 PCI Express 2.0 slot and serves up blistering fast transfer speeds you won’t get from your SATA controllers.” That was promotional, period-specific language, not a comparison with modern storage products. HotHardware’s September 17, 2010 article is the source for the announcement and its specifications.
Reported specifications
| Specification | What HotHardware reported in 2010 |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCI Express 2.0 x8 |
| Flash memory | MLC NAND |
| Maximum reported read speed | Up to 1,400 MB/s; a reported specification, not an independently verified test result |
| Maximum reported write speed | Up to 1,500 MB/s; a reported specification, not an independently verified test result |
| Controller and cache | Internal RAID controller and 512 MB onboard DDR2 cache |
| Announced capacities | 240 GB, 480 GB and 960 GB |
Capacities, timing and compatibility
The September 17, 2010 article said the 240 GB, 480 GB and 960 GB versions were expected to start shipping in October. That was a forecast; the article does not establish that shipping began or that the drives reached customers.
HotHardware listed Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and “2008R8,” Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, several Red Hat Linux versions, SUSE Linux and VMware ESXi 4.0. It did not provide a detailed compatibility matrix, so the listing should not be read as evidence of support for every configuration or later operating-system version.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
What the announcement does—and does not—establish
The article reported the product’s interface, components, capacities and advertised transfer rates. It does not provide independent benchmarks or a methodology for comparing the PowerDrive-LSI with PhotoFast’s G-Monster, OCZ’s Z-Drive or other drives. It also does not establish the product’s price, warranty, reliability, later revisions or current availability. The announcement is therefore useful as a snapshot of a 2010 PCIe SSD, not as a present-day buying recommendation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Rank #3
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Rank #2
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
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