Specifications, Pricing and Availability

The Patriot Pyro SE is available in three capacity sizes; 60GB, 120GB and 240GB. At this time we have yet to hear of a 480GB model, but considering the price of such a beast, we can see why Patriot would be reluctant to venture down that path.

All of the Pyro SE drives list the same read speed performance; 550MB/s, but the 60GB is limited to just (laughing at the just in this sentence) 500MB/s write speed while the two larger models scale to 520MB/s. There is also a distinction in the IOPS capabilities as well with the larger models being quoted at 85,000 random write IOPS and the smaller 60GB model only delivering 80,000.

Patriot has been very good about releasing new firmware updates and the company already has the latest listed on their website for all three SF-2281 controlled drives. In such a competitive market, we need to look at all of the add-ons, accessories and warranty terms in great detail to find a product that really stands out from the crowd. With a three year warranty, Patriot is right in the middle when compared to other manufacturers. Some offer just two years while one that we know of offers five. The Pyro SE does not ship with a desktop adapter bracket, something we really like to see ship with SSDs since so many make their way into performance desktops, especially SATA III models.

I have to admit I got pretty giggly after seeing the 120GB Pyro SE listed at Newegg for just 184.99 after a mail-in-rebate (204.99 before the MIR), but then I started looking at other prices. The Pyro SE 120GB on its own sits at a really nice price point, but other manufacturers are starting to get their synchronous flash paired with SF-2281 drives down into the mid to high 160's after a MIR, so the Pyro SE still has a way to go considering it doesn't ship with a desktop adapter bracket.