Corsair Neutron 240GB review

Corsair’s Performance Pro SSD range is a favourite among enthusiasts, but Corsair has introduced a new range of solid-state drives that should also find favour with system builders and upgraders: the Neutron range. There are two types of Neutron: the standard Neutron, and the higher-performance Neutron GTX. The model reviewed here is the 240GB version of the standard Neutron, and it uses a new controller from a new name in consumer SSDs.

The firm in question, Link A Media Devices, has experience making controllers for PCI Express-based SSDs used in the business market, so it knows plenty about making fast, efficient controllers. The LM87800 used in the 240GB Neutron SSD has TRIM support, SATA-600 support, and none of the compression tweaks that can affect SandForce-based drives.

The LAMD controller proved its worth in our benchmarks, consistently outpacing our current favourite: the OCZ Vertex 4. In our large file write test the Neutron scored 484MB/s, which easily beats the 423MB/s score of the OCZ, and in the large file reading benchmark the Corsair returned a result of 409MB/s, which is much better than the 327MB/s result of the OCZ. The Neutron also performed well in the small file benchmark test. It wrote and read files at 145MB/s and 107MB/s respectively. In comparison, the OCZ scored 84MB/s and 56MB/s respectively.

These are great results from a drive that isn’t even at the top of Corsair’s new range, and it means the price is right. This 240GB model (223GB when formatted), costs £165 inc VAT, which is 69p per gigabyte. The 256GB OCZ, meanwhile, costs £159 (62p per gigabyte), but it’s significantly slower than the Neutron.

To help you install the Neutron in your PC, Corsair has included its usual 2.5in to 3.5in bracket and screws, but the Neutron doesn’t include a SATA data or Molex-to-SATA power cable, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got those. The five-year warranty is generous, too.

There are cheaper alternatives, such as the Intel 335 Series SSD range, but if you want fast performance at a great price then the Neutron 240GB is the SSD to buy.