November 06, 2011   Les Tokar   39 Comments

OCZ Synapse Cache SATA 3 64GB SSD Review – Top Caching Solution At a Great Price

TESTING ANALYSIS

When we first started our report of the OCZ Synapse Cache 64GB SATA 3 SSD, we identified  several criteria that would have to be met in order to obtain a successful recommendation at the end of the day.  The Synapse Cache would have to have a speedy boot time, visible performance upgrade in normal activities, would have to speed up other logical drives and its performance would have to be exemplary and demonstrated through testing.

As I compile this final report using the Synapse Cache system I created, I have to admit that I cannot tell the difference between this and the SSD I would typically have in place as my boot drive.  In fact, I think this configuration actually boots faster.  Our test results, as shown in both synthetic and PCMark Vantage testing, demonstrate that the Samsung M8 1TB 5400RPM hard drive is performing at and above the level of some of the best SSDs available.

There was one criteria that I valued so highly that I would have given the Synapse Cache a failing grade if it hadn’t succeeded.  This was the boot time from a cold boot after the system had been in an off state for over ten hours.  I will even admit that I never had the confidence that it would boot quick enough for my liking.  The initial boot time of the Synapse Cache of 13 seconds just blew me away; I never thought this possible.

Lets consider this for a second.  My initial boot time was 1 minute and 45 seconds compared to that of 13 seconds with the Synapse Cache which is a savings of 1 minute and 30 seconds.  If the average person starts their computer three times a day, on average, that’s a savings of 4.5 minutes per day or over 27 hours a year just sitting and waiting for your computer to start.

What is one day a year worth to you?

The OCZ Synapse Cache SSD is deserving of our Editors Choice Award.  It’s release opens up a new door for consumers looking to significantly upgrade their present system without having to break the bank or reinstall a system that has served them well for some time.

Thoughts, Comments or just an Opinion?  TAKE IT TO THE THREADS!!!

Who Knows?  You just may find unpublished pictures and tests while there!

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Posted in: Featured, Hybrid, SATA 3
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  • DataplexDanger

    Hours of verification after a crash is pretty unacceptable. I can’t use this product knowing that even in a minor accidental power outage I’ll be locked out for ages. I have to somehow get Newegg to refund this thing.

    • http://thessdreview.com Les@TheSSDReview

      I have been through exactly what you are describing and must say that I never had anywhere near that type of wait. The first question I would have though is what caused it. Was an improper shutdown?

  • Jack

    what kindof idiot in 2012 doesnt have a battery backup

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=706626617 Anonymous

    I could buy this now off newegg for $154 or wait until western digital comes out with their 60Gb drive a tthe end of february for $100. Would love to see them go head to head.

  • aj6065

    I think the reviewer is misinterpreting the term “hot cache”. He seems to think this means data is only active, or “hot” when the computer is on. For example he states a couple times that he was unsure how the drive would perform after being off all night and cold-booting in the morning, implying the drive might not retain the cached data. NAND flash memory is nonvolatile and wont lose data (the cache in this case) after being off for extended hours. The term “hot cache” simply means the data that is most commonly accessed. This common data will be copied to the SSD and will remain there until the software deems it unimportant enough to be replaced by other data. It works the same way as Intel’s Smart Response Technology. I found it strange this review didnt seem to fully understand the concept, or maybe I was getting the wrong impression.

    • http://thessdreview.com Les@TheSSDReview

      I appreciate your thought and detailed response and can assure you that our knowledge of ‘hot data’ and its retention when the drive turned off is sound. Our review is an emphasis in this fashion because we were aware that many readers would not be familiar with ‘hot data’ or the fact that it could be retained when power was lost. Thank you once again.

  • Superman0094

    My situation is a bit different. I have a client who WAS using Windows 7 file sharing for an accounting program and a order control system (2 databases 2 users) Once both users were in the program it became unbearably slow. So the client goes out and buys a Dell server with a 1TB server. This is where I came into the picture. They want the server set up so that 3 PCs connect to it. 2 for the databases and 1 for the graphics guy. I’m out looking at HDDs and stumble across this little gem. I understand the problem with having this tied to my boot drive and unexpected outages…not good and even though it will have a UPS I’m thinking that I’ll add this HDD 1.5TB SATA 6Gb/s Hard Drive 64MB 7200RPM 3.5IN Caviar Black and the 128 synapse cache. So my questions are as follows:
    Is this reasonable or overkill?
    Will both users connecting back to the server @ 100/full see an OMG this is SOOO fast difference? Or will they be disappointed?
    Right now the graphics guys files are all stored locally on his HDD, is he going to be mad, happy, or in between?

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