Kingston Launches Entry-level SandForce SSDNow V+ 200 SSDs

In what is sure to be a very confusing mix for some of subtly different names, Kingston has launched the SSDNow V+ 200 series of solid-state drives. Kingston first began utilizing SandForce controllers in the premium HyperX SSD line, delivering some of the absolute best performance we had seen to date from a single SSD.

Traditionally, Kingston has dedicated the V series to be its entry level SSD series, one where each new refresh of has utilized JMicron controllers. At much better performance with hardly any change in price, Kingston also offered the V+ series, which traditionally has maintained use of Toshiba controllers. The first SSDNow V+ Toshiba budget SSD even snagged one of our Editor’s Choice awards. Lately, the trend in SSDs has been SATA 6Gb/s support, but it appears Toshiba has yet to release a SATA 6Gb’s controller, leaving Kingston no alternative but to look elsewhere.

That brings us to Kingston’s V+ 200 SSD, which will exchange the Toshiba controller for a full-blown SF-2281 controller and SATA 6Gb/s capabilities. As with other more affordable SSDs, the V+ 200 will make use of asynchronous NAND although it is still sourced from Intel’s 25nm MLC NAND. Intel sells different grades of its NAND however, so it’s a safe bet this isn’t the same high-grade of NAND utilized in the HyperX lineup. Even so, the NAND is rated for 3K p/e cycles, meaning there should be plenty of years of use in the V+ 200 for most users. Accordingly, Kingston includes a full three year warranty with these new SF-2281 powered drives, making them pretty similar to the Agility 3 in most respects.

Kingston’s launching MSRPs always tend to run unusually high, so expect street prices to fall closer in line with competing entry level SSDs already on the market. As always, Kingston will sell the V+ 200 drives standalone and in upgrade kits for an additional $15, which will include a SATA cable, nifty external USB 2.0 enclosure, and data transfer software.