OCZ Synapse Cache SATA 3 64GB SSD Review Discussion Thread

[spidertaker23]

The 'hate' for caching is most probably through experiences previous to the Dataplex entry. I remember tons of complaints with respect to the Momentus XT and its lack of ability.

Ah ok. That makes sense. This product seems pretty solid. But, I was waiting for reviews from a reputable site like this to buy it.

I can't wait to pick up this drive. Gotta get paid first tho lol

[MINDSCI]

I'd certainly hope that the Synapse would be an improvement over the Momentus XT. I have 2 of those; one is my boot drive in my Laptop. It did improve Starup and Shutdown times, but not amazingly so. It was acceptable enough that I didn't RMA; also, changing the HDD in an HP Probook is major surgery- you have to go in from the top.

[Bill Gates]

But, I was waiting for reviews from a reputable site like this to buy it.

I would not even buy a drive without seeing Les's review of it. Even if I could get a OCTANE drive right now I wouldn't without seeing the review here first.

[The SSD Guy]

In response to questions....from Squeeky. David Lin, VP of NVelo provided the following and our appreciation goes out for his assistance:

Is the Dataplex cache a write-through or a write-back cache? Is the type of cache configurable?

If it is a write-back cache, then the hard drive won't have a complete system image ... some of the image will be on the cache drive.


[DL] Correct. Dataplex employs a write-back cache strategy, which means it takes the approach of storing data on the SSD first, then gradually sync’ing data to the disk in the background. This provides greatly improved system performance. Also, since Dataplex takes an aggressive approach with sync’ing, very little data is not synced to HDD.

I use Norton Ghost to image my system for safety/archive purposes. If I image the system from *inside* Windows, then I will have a complete Ghost image of the system drive/cache drive (as Ghost won't be able to tell, and won't care, what is on the system drive and what is in the cache ... C:\ will be C:\).

[DL] Correct.

What if I image the C:\ drive from the Ghost CD (another Ghost option, using the WinPE environment). In that case, I will presumably see only the C: drive (and not the cache drive) ... resulting in a complete image if it is a write-through cache, and a broken\incomplete image if it is a write-back cache.


[DL] Dataplex has special handling for WinPE. It detects WinPE entry and temporarily syncs and disables the cache so that a complete system image is available for Ghosting or other user activities.

Next question: the restoration of a Ghost image to a system drive is *always* done from outside Windows (using the WinPE environment). If I created the image from *inside* Windows, it would be a complete/integrated image of both the hard drive and the cache drive. But that image will be restored entirely to the fixed drive, yes? And what happens when you restart Windows and the files in the cache drive are no longer the same as the files on the hard drive (and the files on the hard drive are the ones that are correct ... even though the files on the cache drive may have newer dates)?

[DL] This is not a concern with Dataplex. If the image was created inside Windows, then restored to a fixed disk outside Windows, when the PC boots up, Dataplex will re-engage and check if the SSD cache still matches the HDD. If not, Dataplex automatically discards the cache contents and builds it again.

[Squeeky]

I much appreciate the prompt and comprehensive response.

Before I posted my questions, I looked at the NVelo website, seeking a FAQ or a Knowledgebase (or equivalent). Hopefully, they can develop something like that in the future.

[Squeeky]

OK, I have another several questions for David Lin, VP of NVelo.

My motherboard (Gigabyte) natively supports SATA II (using an Intel ICH10R chipset; AHCI). The board also supports an additional 2 SATA II ports via a JMB 36x controller (which is wired into the ICH10R, as well).

The help file that ships with the Dataplex software lists the storage controller requirements as:

One of the following:

• Microsoft AHCI Controller
• Intel RAID Controllers
• Intel AHCI Controller
• AMD AHCI Controller
• Legacy IDE Controller
  

Will the Dataplex software work only if the Synapse drive is plugged into one of the Intel SATA ports (and not the JMB)? Please confirm.

Second question. Since the MB only has SATA II, it is desirable to install a PCIE add-in card that enables SATA III, to get the maximum throughput for the Synapse drive. For example, I have located a generic card for ~US$18, built around an ASM1061 chipset. I don't know whether something like this constitutes a separate (unsupported?) controller, or whether it works through the Intel ICH10R, and is therefore supported.

Advice please.

[The SSD Guy]

Appreciate your questions and perhaps others that may know these answers can jump in. We were fortunate to receive some answers right off By D Lin but are not in the habit of making such the norm.

[Bill Gates]

can this drive be used to cache a storage drive and not the os?

[HeaveN_AkirA]

It maybe be a stupid question but i just have to ask, what if system crush during caching, will it reflect to the system and what are potential problem after that? And 1 more question, is there consideration for Synapse to cache more the 1 drive or be use entirely for caching not just half of it's size ?

[renosablast]

Just installed the 64GB version of the Synapse Cache Drive. Ran CrystalDiskMark benches before and again after installation and several reboots to help cache drive put O/S in the forefront.

Impressive 4K peformance gains; and machine now boots up completely in 22 seconds!