The SSD Review The Worlds Dedicated SSD Education and Review Resource | 
5. PCMark Vantage 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
The Renice PCIe 64GB has no cache, unlike many other newer SSDs and we originally thought we would have to match this drive up with others of ‘similar capabilities’. Our most recent review was the Samsung 470 Series SSD which earned full marks as it posted the highest score we had gotten on PCMark Vantage X64. It came through just over 6000 points higher than the Crucial RealSSD 64GB in SATA3 mode which was remarkable. The other drives tested were top SSDs as well and included the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro and Intel X25m SSD.
The unfortunate part of receiving unexpected results is the reviewer ends up spending hours locked to the Test Bench as he reconfirms tests wondering if there is a reason for such a drastic result. With respect to the Samsung 470 Series, we thought that maybe the new 30nm NAND flash was responsible. That theory has been put to rest with the results we received from the renice Mini PCIe 64GB SSD as follows:
Simply, the Renice SSD just topped the Samsung after it had posted the highest PCMark Vantage x64 scores conducted by The SSD Review. Where the Samsung returned with an all time high HDD Suite score of 40664, this Renice just posted 43831 points with those speeds in the tests above. The end result had us sitting behind our Test Bench and confirming the Vantage scores of the Samsung, Intel, and Crucial once again. All were consistent and the test score comparison is as such…
FINAL THOUGHTS
We have to admit that we never really expected the Renice Mini-PCIe 64GB SSD to shine as it did. Renice Technology has manufactured a product thats amongst the best performing on the market, all encased in a package just under 3 inches long and 1/8″ high. Our understanding of exactly why the PCMark Vantage x64 scoring is so high is a bit foggy but may validate a theory which has been floating amongst industry insiders most recently. We know that the physical makeup of the SandForce SF-1500 and SF-1200 processors are the same. The firmware of the SF-1500 is simply set differently to accommodate for the more demanding enterprise applications.
It is known that all firmware is not the same and oems can have firmware custom suited to their needs by SandForce. It has been suggested recently that firmware has now become available that improves the performance of SF-1200 drives to that of the SF-1500 drives. Its a theory not easily proven but this review deals with a ‘soon to be released’ product which may just be reaping the rewards of a newer firmware release, a release that may validate this theory.
In any case, Renice technology is deserving of a great deal of credit for manufacturing, not only the smallest SandForce controlled SSD available but also, one of the strongest performing.
PG1 – PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS
PG2 – TEST BENCH & CRYSTAL/ATTO BENCHMARKS
Any idea where to buy these, and when they will be available for purchase?