solid state disks with sata interfaces- from sandisk

http://www.sandisk.com/OEM/ProductCa...te_Drives.aspx

http://www.sandisk.com/OEM/ProductCa...A_5000_25.aspx

random read translates into better user experience- this is the exact problem in catalyst.
http://www.sandisk.com/Assets/File/p...lates_into.pdf

How the HDD Causes an IO Bottleneck
The negative impact of the HDD’s mechanical parts is most acute when many
small files require random read access, as can be seen in Figure 1. Transfer
time is calculated as follows:
Transfer time = interface transfer + media transfer + mechanical delay
For a single random read request for a small file such as a DLL, HDD
mechanical delay accounts for some 95% of the entire transfer rate. The
media transfer (4%) and interface transfer (1%) account for the remainder.
In contrast, the SSD has no mechanical delay.
This is why the RAM disks work so well- no mechanical delay.
The mechanical delay is greater the slower the drive speed- hence the reason why 7200RPM SATA discs are the poorest performing disc in catalyst

Havent heard from anyone who has tested these yet.