Fusion-io Reveals Wicked Fast ioFX PCIe-Based SSD

Haven't heard too much news from Fusion-io lately, but the company famous for making PCIe-based solid state storage "a thing" is back in a big way. The company has today announced that it is bringing the power of its ioMemory technology to visual effects professionals with the Fusion ioFX. According to the company, the new monster is "designed to eliminate data bottlenecks that slow the creative production process for digital artists, the Fusion ioFX enables creative professionals to meet deadlines while exploring more artistic possibilities by bridging the performance gap between workstations and today's powerful digital content creation applications."

It's based on the ioMemory platform that prosumers and enterprise users already know, with the 420 GB Fusion ioFX connecting via the PCI Express bus. In other words, direct-to-motherboard storage with the insane speeds associated with that type of connection. The company's aiming this particular card at artists and graphic professionals, and it's honestly one of the more sizable units of this kind. There's nearly half a terabyte of storage here; just imagine what a couple of these would do. (If you're having trouble imagining, let's just say it'd be painful to ever use a hard drive again.)


Here's a bit more on the setup direct from the company:

"The Fusion ioSphere management system included with the ioFX allows studio IT managers to monitor and manage all Fusion ioMemory products deployed throughout the infrastructure from a single interface, including Fusion ioFX in workstations and Fusion ioDrives in servers. The ioSphere system delivers historical performance monitoring and reporting, live performance metrics, alerts and more to ensure production continues running smoothly. The first solution in its class to significantly accelerate key content creation software can be deployed in minutes and delivers up to 1.5 GB/s bandwidth with sub-millisecond sustained access latency. In addition, the Fusion ioFX enables artists to interactively collaborate on high resolution, stereoscopic 2K and 4K content, which was previously impossible without a massive storage array. From footage capture in the field, to post-production of the finished film, the ioFX is architected for uninterrupted manipulation of digital content in real time."

The Fusion ioFX will be available from Fusion-io and select resellers in late Spring 2012 at a list price of $2,495 U.S., which includes a one-year support contract. Pricey, yes, but the speed!