SSD Thread (Benchmarks, Brands, News, and Advice)

Plan on getting a new SSD in March and looking at either getting an Intel 160gb or the OWC Mercury 100gb with Sandforce 1500 controller.

As soon as I get either one it will not be long before Intel has the 320gb model with 300mb/s sequential writes for the same money as the Sandforce 200gb model. I think Intel will stay on top for price and performance for the forseeable future. I'm surprised that the current G2's haven't come down in price with the intro of the Sandforce drives. Maybe it is because OWC isn't a well known retailer and when OCZ intros the Sandforce Vertex II @ Newegg and elsewhere we will see some significant price action for the G2's.

Yeah, but who is going to be running multithreaded apps on a netbook?

Does the cpu bottleneck cause freeze ups and stuttering?

 

yes, it did cause freezing or stuttering-like unresponsive moment for 10 seconds or longer sometime in HP 2140 netbook when anti-virus was updating while launching firefox. btw, how is your ocz summit health status in crystal diskinfo?

 

It is @98% The Intel SSD toolbox gives more detailed SMART info than Crystaldiskinfo.

 

Yeah, I'm waiting for the 300GB drive, myself, as long as I can get it at a semi-reasonable price. At MOST, I see myself spending $700, so, well, we'll see. Worst case scenario, I get the refreshed 160GB drive, right?

 

what will happen if this goes to 0%? i notice my P256 is going down 1% each month.

 

The concensus at the OCZ SSD forums seems to be that SMART info isn't as accurate as it could be for SSD's as far as health info. That is why I say Intel toolbox is better because it gives better descriptions for the numbers that SMART gives like write cycles.

Intel has said their focus is away from performance and on pricing and capacity to gain mainstream adoption of SSD's, not sure how that translates to pricing but it I'm thinking that they will have to go somewhere below $2/gb to truly saturate mainstream adoption.

 

can you see write cycles for ocz summit? i can't find it for both P256s and intel SSDs with toolbox.

 

Look at the info tab in HDTune pro then compare the numbers with Crystaldiskinfo and SSD toolbox... sucks that you have to use 3 different things to get a complete description.

 

A little update:

Was doing further work on my clients systems this past week with an Intel G2 160GB SSD and a Samsung based SSD in an Opteron AMD system.

While the Intel based notebook (w/Samsung SSD) is obviously the faster platform, installing HP printing software onto both showed dramatic differences of the SSD's in question.

With the AMD Opteron desktop w/G2 it took less than two minutes to install the software (complete to reboot). The Samsung, on the much better Dell/Intel platform, took over 7 minutes. Yeah, I'm still an Intel 'boi'.

This is just to point out that benchmarks do not mean anything - nor do they predict anything. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts and the Intel G2's are at 'real' SSD performance levels, overall - no matter what the benchmarks say.

But as the counter point to this; both of these SSD's still do not hold a candle to real work performed compared to my VRaptor/Raptors (non-RAID) - that is why I am waiting for the G3's officially (but won't hesitate to jump on a G2 (to test) if a good deal in my area is available before then).

 

What media did you install from? Was it a CD? Downloaded?

 

It was from a CD, but I saved it first to the hard drive (didn't time that part though - was busy with other things).

Just for a point of reference, on another (much older desktop) computer, a similar HP printer wireless driver took over 30 minutes on a regular 5400 RPM HD (desktop), so both SSD's were much, much faster - but even among the best there is always the 'better'.

 

I couldn't resist any longer. Bought the Intel X25-M 160GB SSD. I'm taking a huge hit on space as I'm coming from a 500GB HDD but I'll just have to erase some movies/games that I have. Final price $450 after BCB. Hope it's all worth it!

 

wise decision

 

Yeah I figure when the new high capacity SSDs come out, I'll just sell this one and upgrade. It will be a while before they're released anyway.

 

Decent price on it too

 

Doesn't beat my $400 flat, heh. Sadly, I noticed a few weeks after I bought mine that the seller had done another best offer for $380. I was a bit sad.

And I haven't even used 40GB of it up yet.

 

Nice! I'm too skeptical to buy from Ebay though.

 

Don't be. You can save a lot of money through eBay. Especially since manufacterers have their own warranty. I bought a pair of used RAM sticks once, for my parent's computer. If they ever have a problem, they still have two or three years of warrany left on them.

Although, I do remember reading some posts by another NBRer who got sent some crap SSD instead of what had been advertised, and since he didn't have a lot of feedback the seller bullied him with his/her power seller status.

So, yeah, I guess I can see where you're going.

 

Yeah I read the same post. I mean saving $50 isn't worth the potential of having all these headaches.

 

As long as you have the original sale recepit, not the ebay recepit.

 

Really? I've RMAed a WD drive (one that failed after one and a half years) and they didn't ask for anything other than the serial number.

I guess for major purchases, like an actual laptop, I suppose, but not the smaller things as far as I can remember.

 

as if you wouldn't have the same chance for those headaches by buying from somewhere else than ebay.

my experience so far is, ebay works around 4 of 5 times. that's bad? well, all other shops have about the SAME experience for me so far

 

That's possible if they make the warranty depends on when the drive was manufactured/sent out.

On that note I have a Seagate drive with warranty until October even though I bout it at the end of December - reason:
Its the production date that counts - not the time you bought it for Seagte...
And because they offer a longer warranty that the legal limit you can't really complain except claim false advertising - but that's not worth it.
(Why do I know about the warranty duration: Power supply failed)

Then you are using the wrong shops

We potentially have a disagreement with Curry's in the UK whether we should argue with Belkin or they should...
Else... well, 10 years or so Atelco and Asus... although that was more the local branch not willing to exert any pressure on Asus to fix their faulty design (power switch broke, they didn't want to repair the switch without replacing the mainboard because a USB port broke - we won't buy or use an Asus ever again in the near future - Asus Germany was an insult to customers) - but in the end a letter to the head office sorted that out

And that's it with shop troubles so far.

 

Fair enough. I'd like to think that buying from a reputable retailer online provides better odds of it working than 80%.

 

I've bought hundreds of high ticket items from Ebay, mostly gold, silver, platinium and palladium coins and only had a problem once. Bought 2 American Eagle gold 4 coin proof sets and the seller never delivered. My $2800 was tied up for 45 days but PayPal eventually returned all of my money.

The seller built a rep by selling alot of little ticket items then tried to score on some high ticket stuff. He turned out to be a police officer in Philadelphia, PA.

An Intel G2 is the only SSD I would buy used because it can be restored easily with the SSD toolbox.

 

Can't you restore any SSD with secure erase?

 

HDDErase doesn't work on my machine, there is no BIOS options for legacy IDE mode or whatever the setting is that HDDErase needs to recognize a drive to erase.

 

K Guys....gonna lean on you for a bit, if I may, as I am in the market for a new ssd.

I am looking at this new release from A-Data:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211442

In checking out its background, it appears to be a brand new release with the Old S592 series not supporting TRIM. This one, however, appears to be the only with a 128mb cache and I am wondering if it supports TRIM??

Thoughts? Opinions?

As well, I am finding it impossible to find tests for this new release but read 250mb read/170-180write on average.

Here is the website specs:

http://www.adata-group.com/US/product_show.php?ProductNo=AS596S

and whats this????

http://www.adata-group.com/US/product_show.php?ProductNo=AX25M

Is A-Data the manufacturer of the X-25?

Thanks ahead.


Les

EDIT... Am I wrong or does this drive appear to be top dog for price, specs and performance right now?

 

Hey Les, that first one uses a Toshiba controller based off the old JMicron and the benchmarks aren't particularly good. I would go with the Adata X-25M. Newegg has it for $469 and I have had my eye on it looking for a sale. The reviews say the Intel firmware updater and SSD toolbox works with it.
The 120gb Agility is $100 less and performs much better overall than the Toshiba controller drive.
Been thinking that prices for the Intel G2's will come down some when OCZ starts shipping the new Vertex II with Sandforce controller.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211413

 

Hey guys,

I currently have the 40gb intel x25-v in my laptop, and I ordered the 80gb x25-m from amazon nearly 1 1/2 month ago for 230; it finally shipped.

I was wondering if i should keep the 80gb version, send it back, or sell the x25-v to a friend. I initially thought about using the 80gb version in a new computer build, but I think I will hold off building a new computer for now.

I am fine with the x25-v in my laptop now but I am not sure if the 40gb capacity will be sufficient.

Decisions decisions.......

 

If you can get by on 40gb for awhile, sell it -- prices should be coming down and you will be able to replace it for less money in the coming months.

 

Thanks but....

Can you confirm that that has the JMicron controller, being the newly released 596 and NOT the previous 592 model. I could find tons on the 592 which were questionable and they also said it did not support TRIM but, I cant find anything at all on the 596 that I have linked...nothing....except for the site of course.

Would love some links.

EDIT...found this...

I believe model S596 A-Data's are using the new JMicron JMF612 Controller with 128MB of cache. Up to 250 read and 180 write make this a tempting purchase, especially when you consider price and the fact that TRIM is natively supported.
This is NOT the old JMicron s..t..uu..d...er...r...ing.. version

I am also hearing 20 second start up on installation...

 

I thought it was the Toshiba controller...
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=393&Itemid=60

Toshiba and JMicron have a joint venture in SSD controller manufacturing. They have recently removed the JMicron name I think because of the bad publicity from the Gen1 stuttering issues. I think the JMicron JMF612 and latest Toshiba controller are one in the same.

 

Ya...and I am reading very wonderful things about this but no real tests that arent in Japanese or Dutch. Im hearing 128mb cache, 20 second native Win7 Boot, TRIM native, mid 200s read, high 100s write and cheap for a 128 in my opinion, especially since it appears to blow all others away. I just need to find a english test done.

Hey....maybe I should write ole A-Data and see if they want to whip one to me for some testing ...hmmm...havent done that in a while.

FROM A_DATA:

The S596 utilizes the next generation of Flash technology and DDR2 SDRAM cache buffer to provide an amazingly fast boot-up time at 20 seconds on platforms running Windows 7, a 40% performance improvement compared to platform equipped with ordinary SSD.

 

Here is a review of the JMicron 612 controller...gets 6.19mb/s Iometer 4k random writes.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/storage/2009/12/10/jmicron-s-new-612-ssd-controller/8

Don't you already have an SSD with 128mb cache and low 4k random write performance?

 

Nope...the only ssd I have left is my Sammy 64Gb which only gets like 98mb/s read and about 55 write. I sold my M1340 with the 256gb to buy this system.

Now looking for the fastest ssd around....eheheh

 

Then you will be wanting this...
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce

Here is a review from Anand
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3702

 

Wait...the first is from a company I have never heard of named OWC and the second reviewing an OCZ...am I missing something?

 

OWC is an established Mac brand.

 

Yup and obviously they rebranded someone elses ssd. i'de like to know whos and get a little background on it. Is it the OCZ??

That would be funny as the first OCZ was a rebranded Sammy which Corsair now seems to be doing with its 256Gb ssd.

 

It is a Sandforce controller but Sandforce only sells the controller.

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3702&p=2

 

http://www.techspot.com/review/242-ocz-vertex2-pro-ssd/page3.html




http://hothardware.com/Articles/OCZ-Vertex-2-Pro-SSD-Powered-by-Sandforce/?page=5


http://hothardware.com/News/Toshiba-Develops-1TB-SSD-That-Fits-On-A-Postage-Stamp/

 

OCZ Technology 200 GB Vertex Limited Edition

Max Read: up to 270MB/s
Max Write: up to 250MB/s
Sustained Write: up to 235MB/s
Seek Time: 0.1 ms
Max I/O Per Second (IOPS): 50000 IOPS (4KB file size)
Power Consumption: Standby: 0.5W Active: 2.0W
Performance Optimization: TRIM (requires OS support)
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technology-Limited-2-5-Inch-OCZSSD2-1VTXLE200G/dp/B0035RQZSQ

 

Random Write Response Time (Maximum) : 2616ms (2.6s)

No way I'd ever recommend a drive to someone that has the potential to freeze for up to 2.6 seconds under load.

 

holy , $1000 for 200G.
I think I am going to wait for Intel G3 320G.

 

Damn, I may have to take back everything I ever said about Sandforce. that puppy is FAST

 

Hey guys sorry to sound like such a noob...but can anyone give me some links and/or tips about what to do and what not to do with my new Intel X-25M SSD? A light SSD for dummies would be greatly appreciated

I don't have time for getting to know all the intricacies. All I know so far is that you don't defragment it and you don't need to create partitions to improve performance (unless you want to for space reasons) lol

 

Download the Intel SSD Toolbox and set it to run once a week. It takes 1 minute. Also upgrade the firmware.

 

Sweet thanks man. Any other advice? I usually turn off the indexing feature on my HDDs to keep the activity to a minimum, does this matter for SSDs? And what should I know about TRIM?

 

If you have the toolbox, TRIM is less important. Also, I think the rule of thumb is to keep at least 20% room free for optimum performance.

And I guess Intel Rapid Storage drivers.