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The SSD Review uses benchmark software called PCMark Vantage x64 HDD Suite to create testing scenarios that might be used in the typical user experience. There are eight tests in all and the tests performed record the speed of data movement in MB/s to which they are then given a numerical score after all of the tests are complete. The simulations are as follows:
- Windows Defender In Use
- Streaming Data from storage in games such as Alan Wake which allows for massive worlds and riveting non-stop action
- Importing digital photos into Windows Photo Gallery
- Starting the Vista Operating System
- Home Video editing with Movie Maker which can be very time consuming
- Media Center which can handle video recording, time shifting and streaming from Windows media center to an extender such as XBox
- Cataloging a music library
- Starting applications
If you are new to testing and considering benchmark software, this is the best you can get because the program goes well beyond the results of simulated testing as we have already done. In comparing SATA 2.0 SSDs, we have reached the bandwidth limit and the performance of most new SATA 2 SSDs is as high as it can get with typical high sequential access speeds in the area of 270MB/s read and 270MB/s write.
We needed a way to differentiate these drives and to find a method that can actually put one drive above another and this is exactly what Vantage testing does. Its tests combined can provide an accurate comparison between drives and its tests individually can assist a smart shopper in finding the best SSD for their needs.
Although we have yet to reach SATA 3 bandwidth max, there will be a number of manufacturers introducing SATA 3 drives in the next few months. Next to actual true to life testing which can take an insurmountable length of time, PCMark Vantage is the only program that can compare any SSD, side by side, regardless of SATA interface or controller in use.
ADATA S511 120gb SATA 3 SSD VANTAGE X64 RESULTS
The AData S511 resulted in a total PCMark Vantage score of 62391 which places it above all but the 512GB version of the Crucial M4 SATA 3 SSD as well as other new Gen SSDs to include the OCZ Agility and Intel 510 SSD. Lets take a look at how this drive compares to the Agility which we recently reviewed and both with the same SF-2281 processor and different NAND:
Now let’s see how the AData S511 fared overall in the SATA 3 SSD roundup:
CONCLUSIONS
As of the date of this report, a price point for the new S511 line of AData SSDs could not be found in North America, but we would expect it to be similar to other manufacturers sporting the new SF-2281 capable of balanced 500MB/s read and write transfer speeds and 60,000 IOPS at 4k aligned. Although initial concern was evident in its handling of compressible data through tests in Crystal and AS SSD, the S511 showed very well in PCMark Vantage and its entirely possible that an anomaly presented itself as Vantage should never have produced that result with any less than an upper tier Gen 2 SSD. We ran all tests several times to make sure that there wasn’t a ‘ghost in the machine’.
At the end of the day, we now add yet another ‘SandForce Driven’ SSD to the mix giving the consumer just a bit more to think about. Things that we would definitely consider are the fact that AData will have kits designed for migration to the notebook or desktop where one will find either an external drive adapter for notebook migration or a 2.5″ to 3.5″ desktop adapter, as shown here, for desktop installation. Add to that the fact that AData partnered with Acronis for hard drive to SSD migration and you just can’t ask for more!
Pg 1 – Introduction and Physical Characteristics
Pg2 – Testing Protocol and Intial Tests
Pg3 – Crystal DiskMark and AS SSD Benchmarks
Pg4 – HDTunePro Testing