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    Vaio Z2 SSD Performance - Post your results

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by ZoinksS2k, Aug 14, 2011.

  1. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Looks like the new Z2's SATA III interface makes a difference.

    For historical performance metrics, please check the old thread here.

    Here is some output from the Z2 with the 128GB (64GBx2) drive. Writes are poor on the 128GB drive, but the reads are great.

    Please make sure to enable write-back caching in the Intel RST app.

    SATA III 6/GB, glee
    [​IMG]

    Atto
    [​IMG]

    CrystalDiskMark
    [​IMG]

    HDTach
    [​IMG]

    HDTune
    [​IMG]

    HDTune File Test
    [​IMG]
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 14, 2011
    #1
  2. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    One more test, this one from PCMark 7
    [​IMG]
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 14, 2011
    #2
  3. jacklondon22

    jacklondon22 Notebook Enthusiast

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    quick question, does your 128GB SSD shows as 64GB in Windows when using it in raid0 mode? Is there anyway to disable Raid0 and use 128GB instead?
     
    jacklondon22, Aug 15, 2011
    #3
  4. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    You could concatenate (span) the two 64GB drives to make a 128GB volume, but I haven't tried this on an OS volume before. I also haven't been in the BIOS to see if you can switch to AHCI mode yet either.

    I'm guessing you want to undo RAID to allow for TRIM commands. If these drives are like the G1's, TRIM shouldn't be necessary. The drive's garbage collection routines should make TRIM unnecessary.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 15, 2011
    #4
  5. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

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    128GB in raid0 gives you the full 128GB, not 64GB. You are thinking of RAID1
     
    beaups, Aug 15, 2011
    #5
  6. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nice, the 128GB drive is almost as fast as the 4x Vertex 2's in RAID 0 I run in my workstation. Well, based on PCMark 7.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    If the larger capacity drives (256/512) configurations have faster writes, we might have the best speed possible in a laptop of this size. Certainly faster than a single SATA III SSD drive, but slower than running two in RAID 0.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 15, 2011
    #6
  7. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

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    ^My 256GB is also 2X RAID 0, with same results as above (mostly).

    Wonder how the 512 is configured.

    There must be some power penalty doing RAID in 4X config (extra controllers and sata ports to power), maybe Sony standardized on 2X setups only?
     
    beaups, Aug 15, 2011
    #7
  8. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    ota-con, Aug 15, 2011
    #8
  9. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Got the VPCZ21 SHX/X with the 512GB setup. It is indeed 2x 256GB SSD's.

    Writes seem to be better, but a cost of some read throughput.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 15, 2011
    #9
  10. lovelaptops

    lovelaptops MY FRIENDS CALL ME JEFF!

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    Can anyone explain to me why my RST array shows 119GB for each of two ports, but 354GB on Volume 0. It is a 384GB SSD array. Why wouldn't one of the ports show 238GB so that total on Volume 0 equals the total on each of the two ports: 119 + 235 = 354 in the same fashion that Zoinks' shows 2X238 for a 477 total volume 0 size?

    Also, how do I compress the image of the RST array so it fits in a post? It keeps saying it is too large.

    Confused. :/
    [​IMG]
     
    lovelaptops, Aug 15, 2011
    #10
  11. psyq321

    psyq321 Notebook Evangelist

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    VPC-Z2 CTO, 256 GB SSD (Gen3), Win Server 2008 R2 SP1, Intel RST drivers (the latest)...
     

    Attached Files:

    psyq321, Aug 16, 2011
    #11
  12. SirRobin

    SirRobin Notebook Evangelist

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    So it could be better to update the Intel RST drivers on the new z?

    Which version is the right to update? :confused:
     
    SirRobin, Aug 17, 2011
    #12
  13. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Sony provided version 10.5.0.1026. The latest is 10.6.0.1022.

    You can get it on Intel's site or click here.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 17, 2011
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  14. nippit

    nippit Newbie

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    nippit, Aug 17, 2011
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  15. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    ^
    128/256/512 GB

    Upgrading is not so straight forward...
     
    ota-con, Aug 17, 2011
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  16. nippit

    nippit Newbie

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    it is not straight forward understood.
    but what is the form factor for the SSD? 2.5"? 1.8"? propitiatory
    any one knows or have a picture?
     
    nippit, Aug 18, 2011
    #16
  17. SirRobin

    SirRobin Notebook Evangelist

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    After testing the speed in my european z with an gen2 SSD i can say it´s slower. Screenshot later.
     
    SirRobin, Aug 18, 2011
    #17
  18. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    I am jealous of you guys with the gen 3.
    Oh well..I hope the next refresh will have gen 3 in Hong Kong.
     
    ota-con, Aug 18, 2011
    #18
  19. SirRobin

    SirRobin Notebook Evangelist

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    The screenshot is showing my results, european vpcz2 with samsung gen2 SSD.
     

    Attached Files:

    • ssd.jpg
      ssd.jpg
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    SirRobin, Aug 18, 2011
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  20. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Eek, the difference is staggering.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 18, 2011
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  21. ziggy95

    ziggy95 Newbie

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    Sony vaio Z21 with SSD 256 Go Gen 3

    [​IMG]

    2nd test 1 day after :
    977.4/485.2
    446.3/588.7
    19.06/41.47
    318.6/228.6
     
    ziggy95, Aug 18, 2011
    #21
  22. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Excellent, thanks for posting
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 18, 2011
    #22
  23. luke123

    luke123 Notebook Guru

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    How can we tell whether a Z2 has 2nd or 3rd gen SSD? Is it likely that there're still plenty of unsold Z2s with 2nd gen SSDs around?
     
    luke123, Aug 28, 2011
    #23
  24. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    If you have physical access to the machine, you can look in the Intel Rapid Storage. 3 gbs is gen 2 and 6gbs is gen 3.
     
    ota-con, Aug 28, 2011
    #24
  25. luke123

    luke123 Notebook Guru

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    Thanks, ota-con!

    Does that mean all Z2's (motherboards) support SATA3 (6GB/s), but gen 2 SSDs (used in some Z2's) do NOT support SATA3?

    The situation seems unnecessarily confusing, as this gen 2/3 distinction isn't explained or highlighted in the Sony US configuration web page.

    13.1" Ultra-Portable Custom Laptop | VAIO Z Series Configure-to-Order | VPCZ2190X CTO | Sony USA
     
    luke123, Aug 28, 2011
    #25
  26. pyr0

    pyr0 100% laptop dynamite

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    1. Gen SATA = 1.5Gb/s
    2. Gen SATA = 3Gb/s
    3. Gen SATA = 6Gb/s

    If you run a 2nd Gen drive on a 6Gb/s controller, you are capped at 3Gb/s. All Z2's have a series-6 Intel chipset that supports 6Gb/s SATA natively. This practically means that the 3rd Gen SSDs in the Z2 are faster. A gen 2 SSD in the Z2 theoretically does not fully utilize the controller's capabilities.
    BTW, Z1's support 3Gb/s only.
     
    pyr0, Aug 28, 2011
    #26
  27. duffyanneal

    duffyanneal Notebook Deity

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    I have a US model with 128 GB drive. Unfortunately, it seems that Sony is still shipping units to the US with Gen2 drives as that's what I have. I'm a bit disappointed that I have a neutered machine, but I don't think it's enough of a difference to exchange it. My boot time is right at 14 seconds and apps open nearly instantly, but it still bothers me none the less.
     
    duffyanneal, Aug 28, 2011
    #27
  28. luke123

    luke123 Notebook Guru

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    Sorry about your disappointment, duffyanneal.

    When did you buy your Z2? Did you get it ready-made, or via Sony's Configure-to-Order page?

    Thanks.

     
    luke123, Aug 28, 2011
    #28
  29. luke123

    luke123 Notebook Guru

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    Can a Z2 owner with gen 3 SSDs find out what make/model they are? Could it be the new Samsung 830 (in 1.8" form)?

    Thanks.
     
    luke123, Aug 28, 2011
    #29
  30. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    Couldn't have said it better myself.

    However, in practical usage, most people wouldn't notice the differences between Sony (samsung) G2 and G3 devices.

    Personally, it's a big deal, but I'm a benchmark nerd.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Aug 28, 2011
    #30
  31. duffyanneal

    duffyanneal Notebook Deity

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    I bought it last week from a brick and mortar store. I would consider exchanging it but this is my fourth one! The first had a dead web cam, the second had a bad SSD, and the third one had dead pixels. I was happy to get one that wasn't messed up. Not sure if it was horrible luck or horrible quality.
     
    duffyanneal, Aug 28, 2011
    #31
  32. Firestone

    Firestone Notebook Consultant

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    wait wait...

    so there are 2 different ssd being used?

    2nd and 3rd generation ssd?

    and for the same pricing?
     
    Firestone, Aug 29, 2011
    #32
  33. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    ZoinksS2k, Aug 29, 2011
    #33
  34. jacklondon22

    jacklondon22 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i5, 128GB SSD III , 8G RAM, Win7 clean installl
     

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    jacklondon22, Sep 3, 2011
    #34
  35. cherrybombaz

    cherrybombaz Notebook Consultant

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    I have a Gen2 SSD. Here are the results:
     

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    cherrybombaz, Sep 16, 2011
    #35
  36. MikeYbarra

    MikeYbarra Notebook Enthusiast

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    256GB Z2 (128gb x2) and 6Gb/s.
     

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    MikeYbarra, Sep 16, 2011
    #36
  37. rmcx

    rmcx Notebook Evangelist

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    Interesting that the 512GB arrays have lower read speeds but higher write speeds. Any way to goose the reads?
     

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    rmcx, Sep 17, 2011
    #37
  38. pyr0

    pyr0 100% laptop dynamite

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    That's write back cache and CrystalDiskMark which is inaccurate.
     
    pyr0, Sep 17, 2011
    #38
  39. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    The lower reads on the 512's are real. Different NAND chips I guess. The controllers appear to be the same tho

    Bigger isn't always better, but the 512GB is plenty fast.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Sep 18, 2011
    #39
  40. AlphaG

    AlphaG Notebook Enthusiast

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    I believe that this post is reviving this relatively old thread, but I wanted to update US buyers at least.

    I checked the Intel RST utility at a local Sony store and found that all the SSD configurations from 128GB to 512GB that they had on display were all 6Gb/s transfer rates, so SATA3 (Gen3).

    I just placed an order for a new Z CTO so hopefully it will come with the Gen3 drives ...
     
    AlphaG, Mar 21, 2012
    #40
  41. Louche

    Louche Purveyor of Utopias

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    'bout time they stopped shipping Gen II.

    The new SSDs are amazing. You won't be disappointed (as long as it comes with the Gen III).
     
    Louche, Mar 22, 2012
    #41
  42. yuanhaoliang

    yuanhaoliang Newbie

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    excellent!
     
    yuanhaoliang, Mar 24, 2012
    #42