The SSD Review The Worlds Dedicated SSD Education and Review Resource | 
CRYSTAL DISK BENCHMARK VER. 3.0 X64
Crystal Disk Benchmark is used to measure read and write performance through sampling of raw (0/1 Fill/compressible) or random data which is, for the most part, incompressible. We tested the Agility 4 with both sample typs and the compressible data sample is shown on the left.
Testing with compressible data definitely results in higher read performance, however, the write performance with incompressible data definitely wasn’t expected. Gaining results of over 400MB/s is already a rarity, regardless of the type of drive used, but getting low 4k random write performance of over 100MB/s is almost unheard of. These scores are still lower than the Vertex 4 by a stretch but ahead of the rest of the pack. It is too bad we couldn’t see higher read performance to go along with that.
Up until recently, AS SSD was the only benchmark created specifically for SSD testing and it uses incompressible data. AS SSD, for the most part, gives us the worst case scenario in SSD transfer speeds because of its use of incompressible data and many enthusiasts like to AS SSD for their needs. Transfer speeds are displayed on the left with IOPS results on the right.
AS SSD doesn’t display anything unique with respect to transfer speed, however, the write Access Time of .032ms is very quick and the equal high 4k-64Thrd IOPS read and write results are also not seen often. The overall point score of 861 is above average but not the highest we have seen to date, with some SSDs breaking the 1000 point mark.
AS SSD Copy Benchmark creates three files and transfers them from one portion of the SSD to another, monitoring only the high transfer speed reached and total time to move each file. This Copy Bench is not the best and we would like to have seen transfer speeds above the SATA 2 range.
The white material seen on the inside of the cover provides thermal protection as it dissipates heat from the Indy controller to the exterior casing.
i just installed the Agility4 in my early 2010 Macbook Pro 13inch which is only SATA II but the difference is magic. I only use for normal word and spreadsheet, some video and picture editing, i also run a virtual machine [VM Ware] with windows, but so far its just been great. I would def recommend this SSD.
But then again, its my first SSD….
Enjoy as you are experiencing the same as we all did on our first transition! Tx for the comment!
Thanks Les. I just ordered the 512 version of this model for $323 from Amazon.com for my old early 2008 Harpertown 3.2GHz 32GB Mountain Lion OS X 10.8 Mac Pro. The goal is simply to be able to edit tags and crush dance music in iTunes which is an incredible dog of a tag editor. Hope this model SSD will make all the waiting a thing of the past. I’m canceling my $337 order for a “used like new” 480GB Sandisk SSD. Did I do the right thing Les?
I have to say I am very impressed with, not only the drive and performance but also, the price…win win I think!
Les, I can’t tell the difference between a $323 512 Agility 4 and a $550 512 Vertex 4. Their overview pages on the OCZ Tech website look identical except for the additional charts and video on the Vertex overview page. Could you give us the executive summary on the $227 difference between the same size two models please? Do you really get $227 worth of better performance – especially on SATA II computers?
The different is that the Vertex 4 use synchronous NAND and the Agility 4 use asynchronous NAND. theoretically the Vertex 4 should be better. but the difference wouldn’t be worth $227, especially on a SATA 2 computer IMHO
Hey Les can you give me some advice on this SSD vs. Samsung 830? they can be found for around the same price on NewEgg. the Agility seems to be faster but the Samsung more reliable (OCZ SSDs have had quite a lot of error in the past). what do you think? also since I’m a computer musician so which one of these 2 drives will offer me better performance with incompressible files? thank you!
AS a computer musician, I might be looking for the best incompressible performance I can find which goes along with the Indy controller in the OCZ.
I am about to RMA my SECOND Vertex 2 120GB SATA II SSD… LOTS of wasted time re-creating my environment! What is the more recent “reliability” experience with OCZ drives? I do LOTS of video (screencapture) production (professor)
Hello
I have a MacPro 2006, which I Carbon Copied my OS from a Corsair 128Gb to an OCZ Agility 4 256GB. I have freeze up after sleep, and everything seems to lag or be slow to perform when using the OCZ Agility 4, but not the Corsair.
Would a clean install be advisable? Any other suggestions welcome.
Thanks
I would always start with a clean install yes. I might also Google to see if what you are experiencing is common for that setup; I am not aware of such.