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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
ADATA SP920 1TB SSD PCMARK VANTAGE RESULTS
The ADATA Premier Pro SP920 achieved a Total Point Score of 74759 which was expected as the M550 had achieved 75885 and both are very high results. The high transfer speed was 427MB/s while testing in Windows Movie Maker with six of eight of the tests hitting SATA 3 mode.
Our Top Ten SSD Hierarchy Chart consists of the ten best results we have seen in PCMark Vantage HDD Suite Testing for single form factor notebook SSDs and the only rating criteria is the PCMark Vantage result alone:
REPORT ANALYSIS AND FINAL THOUGHTS
For those new to the SSD world, controller advance is the make it or break it of this game and this release, as was that of the Crucial M550 SSD before it, is the result of Marvell achieving faster and more efficient in their SS9100 series controller line. The SS9189 has stepped up the performance of the 88SS9187 by increasing write throughput and both read and write IOPS, as well as adding a host of other features to include more efficient power management, which transleates into battery battery life. We may have pushed to the limit in SATA 3 performance, embarking on a new era of PCIe speeds, but the industry consists of in excess of 95% SATA 3 systems and the importance of continuing the production of SATA 3 SSDs can’t be understated.
Not two weeks after Crucial released their new Crucial M550 Marvel based SSD, ADATA has followed suit with the Premier Pro SP920 with identical architecture, given exception of course to the branding, and possibly different memory at the lower capacities. In weighing the pro’s and cons of the practice rebranding the product of another manufacturer,several factors come into play. Are the prices comparable? Does one manufacturer offer features the other does not? Are warranties different? Are both companies known for providing superior products and customer service and, how do the accessories differ between the two.
In the case of the SP920 and the Crucial M550, the 3 year warranties are the same, both companies have stellar reputations and customer service, but things veer off track slightly after that. First and foremost, we have always thought that the importance of including migration software cannot be understated as the transition to solid state drives is still in its infancy. We think that inclusion of this software can make or break the sale and, in the case of the ADATA SP920, it is included and better yet, consists of a retail copy of Acronis True Image HD that saves the consumer an additional $49. ADATA compounds this by also including the desktop adapter, both items that Crucial traditionally includes in more expensive SSD migration packages.
That $49 is money saved if one were to buy an SSD without the included software and ADATA takes that one further that most would never have expected by undercutting Crucial/Micron on pricing. The ADATA Premier Pro SP920 will enter the market with a MSRP of $89.99 (128GB), $159.99 (256GB), $334.99 (512GB) and $529.99 (1TB), below that of the Crucial, and the 128/256GB capacities will be available immediately on posting of this report. Quite frankly we don’t know how ADATA did it but the new Premier Pro SP920 SSD is not only an upper tier SSD with respect to performance but also, it is the most value driven SSD on the market when all points are considered!
Check Out ADATA Premier Pro SP920 SSD Pricing at Amazon!
Does the ADATA also come in the mSATA format? I need a 128GB drive for my Drobo and my Plextor M5M died. 🙁 (but under warranty :D)
Excellent review Les ^_^ always nice bargain with additional package from ADATA Premier Pro SP920 with that price 🙂
Looks like Adata is using 128Gbit die flash across all the capacities. This would also explain lower write speeds on smaller capacities.
One thing does come to mind though. Considering m550 and s920 are basicly the same drive and have the same firmware, to which 3rd party are these companies outsource firmware ?
In either case, this looks like a nice drive. Lets just hope street prices will be low 🙂