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AS SSD BENCHMARK VER 1.64
AS SSD Disk Benchmark is perhaps the only benchmark program that was created for solid state drives. In using it, one should realize that it only tests in random data so SandForce drives will appear to have an inferior result when compared to those of Samsung Intel and Crucial. As well, the end result of this will also be different, at times, than that of Crystal Diskmark because AS SSD provides the average of several runs as its end result whereas Crystal simply looks for the highest result of several runs.
Another plus of this software is that that it seems to be continually improving as can be seen with the addition of a new evaluation known as ‘Compression Benchmark’. As well, there is a ‘Copy Benchmark’ tool that provides for copy testing of an ISO, program and game. The transfer speed of the copy is measured as well as total time for the transfer.
AS SSD to displays how the high sequential result of 514MB/s read and 270MB/s write are vastly different from the manufacturer specified results of 559MB/s read and 527MB/s write. This test is done with random data and the manufacturer uses programs such as ATTO to test with RAW data. As an interesting point, this drives final score was 712 whereas that of the OCZ Vertex 3 was 714.
Lets do some side by sides for the remaining two tests. Just click on one to enlarge if your an old guy like me. The OWC 6G is left with the Vertex 3 right.
We were surprised to see the OWC pull ahead a bit given the difference in the low 4k random disk access but take a look at the new Compression Test…virtually identical.
WE might as well pull out all the stops and show you the PCBs side by side…
Both use the same processor and both use the same memory. If I were to have read to this point and asked to make the decision as to which would prevail, it would be a difficult one. They are neck in neck which should be the case as the three major contributors to performance are the processor, NAND and then firmware.
The firmware may tell the tale of the tape in final performance here. All SSD manufacturers that we know of that have a partnership with SandForce, given exception to OCZ, rely on the tried and true SandForce firmware with tuning to their specific needs in some cases. A long standing agreement (that they aren’t allowed to talk about) permits OCZ to work with SandForce as well as independently on the final firmware as they see fit. Their have been a few growing pains felt here by the consumer but, after testing both SSDs, we believe both to be a reliable product.
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