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OCZ RevoDrive and Vertex 2 120GB SSDs |
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Configuration, Benchmarks, Conclusions
The RevoDrive also has a configuration menu upon boot. By default you won't even need to enter this menu as the drive is configured as RAID 0. However, if you do decide to look for different RAID levels (handy for larger sizes) or block sizes, this menu allows the changing of such options, as well as low level formatting etc.
 
As for Windows software, OCZ have designed their own suite to update, erase, restore and diagnose your SSD. This is available to download from their website. While it's not as refined as software you may see from Intel, it does have all the key functions required, without the need for command line SSD updating. We had no problem detecting and upgrading our Vertex 2 SSD, however due to the controller implementation of the RevoDrive it isn't detected via the software at this point in time.
Benchmarks:
Today's test system consists of the hardware listed below, and as with all good testing a clean install is used and the latest Windows Updates are applied. The applications and games used in today's tests are the latest of what was available at the time of this analysis - links to demos and free trials are provided when applicable.
For comparison we've included a mechanical hard drive in the form of a Western Digital Black Edition (two, one for O/S and one for testing), and a previous generation Corsair M64 64GB SSD that features a JMicron JM602 Controller. All SSDs and hard drives are secure erased before testing and benchmarked multiple times and then averaged. ACHI is enabled and the latest manufacturer drivers are utilised. Default settings are used where possible to simulate a general user experience. However further tweaks are always possible for users that are willing.
Software: HD Tune Professional Version 4.60
Score: Megabytes Per Second (MB/s) - Higher is Better.
Download Link: here.
Software: ATTO Disk Benchmark 2.46
Score: Megabytes Per Second (MB/s) - Higher is Better.
Download Link: here.
Software: PCMark Vantage Benchmark Suite
Score: System Points - Higher is Better.
Download Link: here.
Conclusions:
Solid State Drives (SSDs) aren't for everyone, especially those needing large amounts of capacity. But for those wanting to enhance their application performance, game and system start-up times, as well as a variety of video editing and workstation applications, installing a OCZ Vertex 2 that pushes over 280 MB/s (Read) or a RevoDrive with a scorching 530 MB/s (Read) in our ATTO benchmarks, you'll notice a serious performance advantage over mechanical hard drives - and they do it in silence. Plus it's clear there's been a significant evolution from early generation solid state drives. Combining all that with affordable pricing and a 3 year warranty, it's hard to think where the state of SSD technology might be without OCZ pushing the market, with their extensive range of SSD options year after year. This seems certain to continue with their recent public announcement of exiting the memory market to focus on SSDs. We look forward to what's next, with the recent introduction of 25nm NAND memory and how it will bring pricing down even further once the technology matures.
Feel free to comment on this review in this thread.
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