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PCMARK VANTAGE x64 HDD SUITE
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.
OWC MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G 240GB SSD VANTAGE RESULTS
Lets finally take a look at the comparison between the OWC 6G and the Vertex 3 in Vantage speeds…
They still look pretty close so lets throw in one last chart; the Vantage HDD Suite Total Point Chart for SATA 3 drives:
FINAL THOUGHTS
The OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G 240 GB SSD has proven itself to be an upper tier SATA 6Gbps SSD and would be a great improvement to any computer, be it Mac or PC. It has the performance one would expect and the capacity most are vying for in a solid state drive. A great deal of credit has to be given to Other World Computing who have not only shown that the 6G is one of the best Mac storage solutions available, but also, this release will truly carve their spot in the hearts of PC owners as well.
Two things that we might suggest to OWC is to consider including a simple conversion bracket for desktop systems as well as bringing the price point of $2.40/GB down just a bit to get below that of their competition.
Last but not least, there is the value of customer service and reputation which would definitely be a big consideration for this drive. OWC has honed the ideal of ‘customer first’ throughout their staff and, as a result, a dissatisfied client is a rarity with OWC. To take this value one step further, hardware failure complaints also seem to be pretty much impossible to find on the web. Other World Computing has built ‘the right stuff’ and we believe the 6G wil pay off in big dividends as a result.
The OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G 240GB SSD receives our Editors Choice Award as a result of performance and the value they place in their clientbase.
Pg1 – INTRODUCTION
PG2 – INTERIOR COMPONENTS AND TEST METHODOLOGY
PG3 – ATTO DISK BENCHMARK SATA 3 SSD COMPARISON
PG4 – CRYSTAL DISKMARK SATA 3 SSD COMPARISON
PG5 – AS SSD BENCHMARK AND VERTEX 3 SIMILARITIES
PG6 – HDTUNE PRO TESTING
PG7 – PCMARK VANTAGE SATA 3 SSD COMPARISON AND FINAL THOUGHTS
Ordered it two weeks ago for my mac! Can’t wait!