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

Now that's fast.

 

A X300 owner on forum.thinkpads.com took a photograph of his drive, and it was clearly the SATA II drive (shown as "engineering sample" on samsung's board when he posted it), given the part number.

Maybe the 57 MB/s are just because the indexation and Vista crap was not deactivated... Or maybe it was not a Samsung . 57Mb/s looks rather Sandisky...

 

I haven't tested the SATA II as of yet but apparently one is on its way to me. I know of two people who have tested and both state hat the benchmarks are as they are supposed to be which is above 80MB/s read and write.

I cannot answer for the X300 owner or how he would have tested.

There are programs out there that don't give an accurate reflection of what the ue sd speed is.

 

Good News!!!! I just received a SATA II Samsung 64Gb in the mail for testing purposes. I have to leave town for a few days on a work related matter but hope to have a review and benchmarks out by early next week.

At last count, I think I have about 24 emails tucked away from NBR and the Dell website asking my opinion on this ssd.

Stay Tuned!!!

 

Do you have an MSRP for this drive?

Cheers,

 

Here's HD TUNE result from my X300, the spec says 100mb/s read and 80mb/s write



BTW, I just notice there's a 32gb SSD MLC drive on ebay claims that it has 120mb/s and 30mb/s write, does anyone have any experience with that drive?

 

Hey guys, I thought I read somewhere that for flash memory once you delete something it really gets deleted. Whereas in a normal HDD once you delete it, there is a chance you can still recover it.

Is this true? If so, how does it affect something like the "Recycle Bin" in windows?

 

poky:

Just tested it on two programs to which I got 106 and 96MB/s read and 83MB/s write. I can't get it to settle with HDTune though and, for some reason, it is giving me an average of about 150MB/s (yes thats right)

Further to that, my model number is a bit different than yours (MCCOE64G 5MPP) and, for some reason HDTune recognizes it as Samsung 64Gb RBX Series which I am very curious about.

 

Les:

Which testing platform is yours?
The X300 has a ICH8M chip on it, which has known the "cap", and will slow down the SSD by 20%.
I have the same "cap" when I was testing the Mtron MOBI 3000 SSD drive on my X61s laptop, only got 80mb/s read.
And yes, I installed the newest Intel Matrix driver from intel, but no luck!

 

I would like to see some literature that proves that. i have heard alot about it but never read where this is a fact.

In fact, I had forwarded this question to Mtron on behalf of someone who wanted to purchase one of their ssds and they stated that there are no 'known' caps which limit the speed of their ssds.

 

Moving something to the recycle bin simply changes the file pointer to the new directory (recycle bin is a directory after all). The data blocks are only relocated when the file moves across partitions or spindles.

When you "delete" something the blocks are marked as free but they aren't reused until the blocks are needed -- so an "undelete" can find the datablock entries and go recover the file.

This should still be true on a SSD.

 

Maybe because the SSD in the X300 is a 1. 8" drive, and yours a 2. 5" drive

 

Ya makes sense...duuuh. I have so much going on it completely slipped my mind.

 

Just took the plunge on that drive. It cost $277 and the seller's guaranteed performance similar to his/her HD Bench numbers. I'll do some tests for you once I receive it.

 

how is this ssd, http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29398&vpn=OCZSSD2-1S64G&manufacture=OCZ Technology

OCZ it says sata-II for $1200 ish.... 64 gb... would the samsung/mtron ones b cheaper ?

and have u tested if this drive goes as fast as it claims? (100/80)?

tx

 

I hate these discussions... makes me want to play with an SSD-based system just to see if it's "all that".

So I jumped... I've been evaluating several UMPCs over the last month because I want light and portable, so in order to compare, I picked up a Dell Latitude D430 from the Outlet this morning.

Yeah, I know it's the older Sandisk SSD and not the new SATA II, and performance won't be on par with the Mtron drives, but for the price point it's kinda hard to beat: U7600 Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 9-cell, external DVD/RW, XP Pro (eff Vista), 3-year warranty for $1350 (no outlet coupons at the moment, darn it).

I'm more concerned with general responsiveness when multitasking as opposed to extended reads/writes, which I believe is where these Sandisk SSDs fall down. I'm also curious as to the effects on weight and battery life.

And if I happen not to like it, I've got 21 days to return it...

Must. Have. Toys.

 

jl1989:

I havent tested the OCX as they declined my offer of testing. The SATA II us around the same price from Dell if you call I am sure. They may not be available as a separate purchase for a few weeks however. The results I posted above are the tested results and i will post a detailedreview next week.

heavyharmonies:

For what you are seeking, you will enjoy it. It was my first drive and is tested below. You want to remember the beuty of the ssd is the access time first and foremost. You will understand this soon enough.

The only thing you would want to watch for is any pausin. If you notice that your sytem pauses occasionally for several seconds, it may be related to the drive as this is common with that drive.

Enjoy!

 

My apologies, but I can't find this particular drive in your test results. I see a 32GB SanDisk drive, but not a 64GB. Or should I simply assume the performance is the same?

Here is the line item from the system config (I assume that SDSK means Sandisk):

 

Ooops sorry...I thought you were refering to the 32Gb. Long day.

 

I assume there's no major performance difference between the Sandisk 32GB and 64GB PATA drives?

Question: Since the new large SSD drives are SATA II rather than PATA, am I to assume that I would NOT be able to simply upgrade by swapping drives at a later date?

(Sorry for the NEWBIE question.)

 

Les:

I tried Atto, the result looks much reasonable then HD Tune!
I was surprised it reaches 85mb/s on write.

 

Im happy that worked for you. My ATTO brought me the 103MB/s read.

I also had very strange results with HDTune and I am wondering whether the two are not compatible (SATA II/HDTune) Believe it or not I get a consistant average of 150MB/s from HDTune but not any others. The others are all the same as above.

 

holy smokes...150mb/s?

 

From the looks of it, the OCZ (hee hee) is a rebadged Sammy unit. Either that, or they're using eerily similar cases in every way

 

I bought the OCZ SATA II SSD from Newegg and here are the results.

 

Yep, it's a Samsung...

 

jedisolo,

I would be interested in seeing write results of that. if you download ATTO Benchmark, install it, make the application icon XP compatability mode and then start it, it will give you read and write results. Could u post them?

Also what did you pay for this?

 

Les,
I paid $1,170.02 the total includes next day shipping. I'll get the ATTO results sometime later today.

 

It is good to see this thread heating up again. I was on RBS backup chat this week and the subject of SSD's came up It was interesting, because as cool, fast, reliable as they are, they will still need to be backed up just as much due to the nature of the beast, as well as flood, fire, and theft

I am doing something unusual. Holding back unitl Intel gets theirs out the door.

And i seem to have goten poorer not richer. When I do get richer, I want a 128 for the desktop and a 64 for the lappy!

 

I have been trying to find an 'in' with Intel and cannot. I found a great contact in Samsung and another in Dell which has helped alot and my communication with Mtron and Memoright is heating up again. I think the whole ssd industry went through a lunch break while companies decided on their direction.

Mtron is hoping to have a 128Gb 2.5 mlc in the first half of the year which might be a good thing as it would be reasonably priced and they have announced that the 128Gb 1.8 will be released any day nowwhich will be a wonderful storage medium for those that could afford it. I am not a Mac guy but Im telling you, a Mac Air with a ssd that has 100MB/s plus read write specs makes me drool.

 

I did not realize that the MAC SSD was that fast. Interesting. I believe you will find someone at Intel. Just keep knocking at their door.

Yes, it sure does seem like there was a mass haitus with regard to SSD's over the past couple months.

I am really not too sure about MLC units. Somehow, it seems like they are not "real" SSD's. I do not have all that much in this life, but I do have my data, and I want the best for it

Dave

 

The MacAir ssd is no that fast. In fact, there has been alot of concern because it is not.

I was speaking of putting the new Mtron in a Mac Air and then watching it fly at 120MB/s read and 100MB/s write.

Here is the link:

http://www.mtron.net/english/PressRoom/PressRoom.asp?sid=PressRoom&xact=view&idx=171

 

Oh, now I see

 

Les,
Here are my results.

 

Are your results for the SATA II Samsung? If so, they are dead on...I am just putting my article together on that.

 

those are for the OCZ's, which are just re-badgered Samsung's.

 

If that is so, they would have to be rebadged SATA II newly released Samsungs.

Having said that, the casing is EXACT given exception to the sticker on the back and the name on the front.

EDIT: And looky here! Its in print!!!

 

The ocz is rebadged Samsung Sata II. The drive says it's made in Korea.

 

Looks like the new SATA II 64GB drives have trickled down into the Dell XPS M1330 line, based on the wording used in the previous screen shot from the Precision line. The wording now states "ultra performance..." whereas as of a day or two ago it did not. I called the EPP phone line and the sales rep verified with his supervisor that newly-built 1330s are coming with the new SATA II SSDs, not the 1st-generation drives:




And with the current deals being offered in this thread, there are some outstanding deals to be had. I had purchased a refurbed Latitude D430 with 1st-generation PATA 64GB SSD from the Dell outlet for $1433 net. Well, it's going back (primarily because I didn't like the screen), and I just purchased the system below in its place:


XPS M1330, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300(2.4GHz, 800Mhz, 3M L2 Cache)
3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
13.3 Inch Wide Screen WXGA TL WLED Backlit LCD with Camera, XPS M1330
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, for XPS M1330
64GB Shock Mounted Solid StateDrive, 2.5MM
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPSM1330
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for XPS M1330
3 Year Limited Warranty
Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year(s)
Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, 2 Year Extended
CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 3 Year
LoJack Theft Recovery Service - 3 Year

Intial Price: $2,918.00

Discounts:

Dell Members save $599 off this select XPS System! Limited warranty, and Internet security are bundled together in this special offer. We are able to accept returns of the entire bundle only. - $599.00

Dell EPP Members receive 10% off select Inspiron and XPS systems priced $799 and above! - $231.90

Dell EPP/FSS customers: Save an ADDITIONAL 4% INSTANTLY by paying with your Dell Preferred Account. (Subject to credit approval. Limited time offer.) - $83.48


Dell Members receive 12% off systems priced $1600 and up with 3/4 yr At-Home service. Congratulations, you are receiving the maximum member discount. - $240.43


Order Subtotal: $1,763.19
Shipping and Handling Total: $19.99

Shipping Discount: -$19.99

Tax Total: $113.40
Total Charges: $1,876.59

 

Folks,

Do any of the Lenovo T61 series support SATA-II? Basically will you notice any improvement with the new samsung sata-II drive over the original 64gb SSD that I am running today in a t61p?

Thanks!

 

Yes Samsung has announced the new SATA II's will be available in lenovo and the difference is 56MB/s read 32MB/s write for the SATA I Samsung to 103MB/s read 92MB/s write for the SATA II. Is that much of a dif (lol)?

NOTE: As of this morning, Dell has included the new Ultra performance Samsung ssd in many configurations to include the M1530 at the same price of the former choice or lower depending on the configuration. The most you will pay for this ssd is 600-800 depending on the configuration you choose. Congrats to Dell for bringing the ssd price down and watch for my review of such (submitted) as soon as JerryJ finishes laughing at my grammar and spelling mistakes and posts it!

This ssd did great!

 

Les:

Any idea when this lower pricing model will filter down into the street? We still see kilobuck pricing for the drives where you can buy them.

I can stretch to $600 for a 64GB SSD, but not $1000+.

 

I am waiting for the Mtron release which seems to be on hold. As for Samsung, they choose to sell only as such and there is what appears to be a similar drive in the OCZ but its breaking a grand as well.

You may see the $600 with the Mtron and I'm as sleep deprived as you. As Mtron and Memoright are in China and Korea, I end up having many early morning conversations or email exchanges trying to get things moving.

 

Les:

First the Mtron has to be released then we can discuss the pricing

Cheers,

 

Cool, I may have to grab one of the OCZ SSD's and see how it does in my t61p, right now I have the original samsung SSD (one taken from an older Dell 1330 actually).

Tom

 

today a friend asked me if an SSD would be good for him. He does lots of digital live audio recording, mixing, and such. I tried to answer him, and realized that I did not know the answer. Does anyone here know if an SSD would handle this type of audio as well, better, or worse than a regular HD?

Thanks, Dave

 

I have the Rebadged Samsung SATA II in my t61 14.1 inch notebook and it's fast.

 

Good stuff Jedi ...throw up some HDTune results!

As for your dilemma Cape, I can only give you an answer through benchmarking comparison....so we are probablyin the same boat.

 

I am not sure what benchmarks would apply to audio/digital recording? I know that data transfer rate directly applies to VIDEO, but not sure about audio.

 

Audio is (relatively speaking) low bandwidth. Even at the maximum available rate (24 bit / 192KHz) you are talking about ~4.6 Mbit / second / channel. There is very little out there that runs at that rate. Most run at 20 to 24-bit @ 48K which is 1/4 of the bandwidth (ie ~1.1 Mbit/second).

So multiply out by N channels and you have a required bandwidth. And a reminder, these are Megabits, so divide by 8 for Megabytes. Yes, that's .5 MBytes/second for 24/192K. From a bandwidth perspective it's a definite no.

But that's not all there is to this. Live means that having a solution less likely for mechanical failure in the field is a positive trait. From that perspective the extra $$$ might be worth it depending on the value of the content.

Watch out though as the size of the drives are fairly small and capturing several hours or many channels could still run you out of space.

Keep in mind I am talking about full bit-rate, no compression encoding.

Cheers,