Specifications, Availability and Pricing

The Patriot Torqx M28 is available in 128 and 256GB capacities, both using the same Samsung controller and 128MB cache for stutter free operation. As I mentioned in the introduction, the Samsung controller has some pretty unique features when it comes to self-healing the drive in hardware. When we tested two of the Corsair P64 drives in RAID 0 we achieved some pretty good results and went into detail about the self-healing feature. The Patriot Torqx M28, when placed in a RAID array will achieve even better performance results since the 128GB and 256GB drives have even higher specifications.

I hate to say it but pricing still plays a large role in which SSD consumers purchase. Currently Newegg has the 256GB M28 for 679.00 USD and the 128GB drive for 345.00 USD. Today we will be testing and making the 128GB drive our primary focus. Newegg shows twenty-two 128GB solid state drives and once you remove the JMicron and PATA drives the M28 comes in second as far as lowest cost. This sounds really good and in some ways it is, but number one at this time is still the G.Skill Falcon like the one we reviewed in May, an Indilinx Barefoot controlled drive. We will go into the benefits of each controller in the conclusion.

Patriot recognizes that enthusiasts are taking advantage of the speed of SSDs and using them in desktop systems. Because of this they are including a bracket that allows you to install the 2.5" form factor drive into a 3.5" form factor bay.

One area that stands out in the specifications sheet on the M28 is the warranty. Patriot now has a 10 year warranty on their M28 class drives. When it really comes down to it you will most likely not be using this drive in ten years from now, but it is reassuring that Patriot is going to support this model for a very long time.