Gigabyte i-Ram cards

[Jeff Garzik <jeff@garzik.org>]

While responding to email related to Bugzilla# 6163 [1], I took a look 
at the Gigabyte i-Ram[2]:  PCI card, where PCI only provides power to 
some DIMMs.  Data xfer to/from DIMMs via SATA cable.  So, at current 
prices[3] one can get a 1GB Solid State Disk for US$206:  US$153 for the 
card, and US$53 for 1GB pc2700 ddr.

I'm impressed.  I ordered one to help debug BZ#6163, but I think these 
cards will help expose bugs in libata due to their high speed.  With 
these cards, we can push more data through libata than would normally be 
possible with a standard disk drive.

I've seen these for PATA before, but this is the first inexpensive SATA 
SSD that I've seen.  Let's hope its not riddled with hardware bugs 
<crosses fingers>.

	Jeff


P.S. Full disclosure:  I've had no contact with Gigabyte at all, nor has 
Red Hat (my employer) to the best of my knowledge.  I just like the gadget.


[1] http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6163
[2] http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Storage/Default.aspx
[3] http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=929424