IBM today introduced "the world's fastest desktop hard disk drive" with IBM-exclusive technology called "tag 'n seek" (i.e., tagged command queuing), which enables the new IBM Deskstar 180GXP to perform nearly 25 percent faster than its predecessor. The new 180GXP is a 7200 RPM drive and features a fourfold increase in cache size -- up to 8 MB (as well as average seek time of 8.5 ms). It is available in capacities of 30GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 120GB and 180GB.

IBM's "tag 'n seek" technology allows it to control commands sent from the host processor to the hard drive, by "tagging" each comannd with an identifier and then reordering/processing the commands in the most efficient manner. This enables commands to be more quickly processed, minimizing seek time and freeing the host processor to handle other critical activities.

The Deskstar 180GXP features the lowest power consumption and heat emission of any high-performance desktop drive, according to the company. It also implements spindle motors with fluid dynamic bearing across the entire family, significantly reducing acoustic noise. The new-generation Deskstar is targeted at gaming and nonlinear digital and audio/video recording and editing.

by MacNN Staff