| OCZ Vertex 3 SandForce SF-2281 SSD |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Storage | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Tuesday, 05 April 2011 | |
|
Page 2 of 13
Closer Look: OCZ Vertex 3 SSDSSDs are quickly gaining popularity because they work equally well in PC, Linux, or Apple Mac computers. Likewise, they install into both desktop and notebook platforms without modification. For this article Benchmark Reviews is testing the 240GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSD, which is expected to reach speeds of 550 MB/s for sequential reads and 520 MB/s sequential writes. The VTX3-25SAT3-240G model we've received for testing is built using the SandForce SF-2281 SSD controller. OCZ offers three difference capacities for their Vertex 3 series solid state drives, and they will all use identical enclosures. All of the Vertex 3 models share the same part numbers, with a capacity designator trailing the end: VTX3-25SAT3-120G, VTX3-25SAT3-240G, VTX3-25SAT3-480G. Like past SSD products, expect for the lower-capacity devices to reach the retail market first, such as 120/240GB varieties. Once supplies have been stocked, the 480GB version will be soon to follow. With respect to OCZ's Vertex 3 series, the 240GB version is expected to be the most popular of the three capacities because of performance specifications specific to this model.
The OCZ Vertex 3 SSD is best suited for performance-orientated personal computers, but also works extremely well for SOHO computer systems. If required, the OCZ Vertex 3 SSD could also be utilized for mission-critical backups or high-abuse data server systems. SandForce SF-2200 series SSDs have been designed with a focus on high-performance operational and data transfer speeds, and includes 256-bit encrypted data protection and improved NAND wear-leveling through their proprietary DuraWrite technology. Although OCZ Vertex 3 SSDs do not offer an integrated USB Mini-B port, which appeared on some early-generation SSDs, the retail market offers several different 2.5" SATA enclosures that utilize the SuperSpeed USB-3.0 standard for high-performance portable file transfers.
OCZ understands that once installed, the SSD will be hidden away from view inside a notebook computer or desktop workstation, so they've remained conservative towards the design of their solid state drive appearance. Both halves of the enclosure are given a black textured finish, which does not show fingerprints or smudges like a gloss surface would. A glossy label is attached to the top of the enclosure, denoting model and capacity.
Standard 2.5" drive bay mounting points are pre-drilled and threaded into the OCZ Vertex 3 SSD chassis, which allows for quick upgrade or addition into any existing notebook and other compact computer system. Fortunately, OCZ also includes a 3.5" to 2.5" tray adapter with this kit, so the Vertex 3 will easily install into desktop computers. The mounting positions matched up to the drive bracket on my notebook computer, and after only a few minutes I was booting from a restored Windows 7 System Image without a hitch.
Unlike most Hard Disk Drive (HDD) storage products, SSDs are nearly impervious to impact damage and do not require (or benefit from) any kind of special vibration dampening or shock-proof enclosures OCZ utilizes a standard two-piece metal enclosure for their Vertex 3 series SSDs, which reveals the internal components after removing four small counter-sunk screws located along the sides of this solid state drive. The seam along the side is covered with a 'Warranty Void' label, which OCZ attaches to warn consumers against taking apart their product. By removing the SSD cover it will also remove your consumer protection with it, but Benchmark Reviews takes the risk for you and reveals the internal components in our next section.
If you're familiar with previous-generation OCZ storage products, you'll notice that the Vertex 3 hasn't changed beyond the product decal. While its outward appearance is similar to many other solid state drives, the functionality and value packaged inside are considerably unique. Now that you're acquainted with the basic exterior features of this SSD, it's time to peek inside the metal enclosure and inspect the SandForce SF-2281 internal components...
|
|
Comments
Pretty good statement. If i was in their ads department i would take this line and add it somewhere in the product page.
As always Olin, excellent review. with each review you provide all the important information needed to understand how these drives work.
I think is probably time to treat myself with an SSD.
Ive been waiting for these prices to come down a bit. But dam, they are persistent. gonna have to call the EU Trade commission to look up into the scheme.
I think there has to be some type of SSD price fixing going on with these companies just like we saw with the LCDs.
"LG Display, Sharp, and Chunghwa Picture Tubes agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges for participating in a liquid crystal display price-fixing conspiracy and pay $585 million in fines, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Read more: #news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10095219-92.html#ixzz1IfIgIv49
"
Anyway something people need to be aware of is the bigger drives 240GB+ perform very different to 120GB and smaller vertex 3's.
Dont expect to get this performance with a 120GB vertex 3 or 60GB vertex 3. They get much slower with smaller capacity.
That's fine. I found just this sort of benchmark on another site and the results are encouraging. The site shows a number of SATA drives benchmarked both on III and on II.
thanks