Renice X3 50mm 240GB mSATA SSD Review

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 280MB/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. 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.

RENICE X3 240GB SATA 2 MSATA SSD VANTAGE RESULTS

The X3 Vantage Total Score was 41032 which was just below the high SATA 2 mSATA score of the OCZ Nocti, although this mSATA SSD is 240GB rather than 120GB. It’s high transfer speed was a decent 235MB/s while testing in Media Center and the remainder of the transfer speeds are as such:

The following chart displays all of the mSATA SSDs we have tested to date and ranks them according to PCMark Vantage Total Point scoring. Because size is absolutely key in mSATA SSDs as of late, we have highlighted the only two to be released above capacities of 240GB, coincidentally one being SATA 2 and one being SATA 3.

REPORT ANALYSIS AND FINAL THOUGHTS

The Renice X3 mSATA SSD is the only 240GB mSATA SATA 2 SSD released to date and it may be for some time as we aren’t aware of another manufacturer marketing a high capacity SATA 2 mSATA SSD. Availability is very limited which is a definite con and we could only find it available in one Asian E-tailer, however, this could be a result of it being a new release.

Performance of the X3 mSATA is excellent for a SATA 2 SSD and our test results were consistent and well above that of listed specifications.  Performance of 280MB/s read and 272MB/s write with 42,000 IOPS is the top you will see from any SATA 2 mSATA SSD.

Pricing of the Renice X3 mSATA concerned us a great deal and, in all fairness, it may just be a price chosen by the E-tailer or it may be as high as it is simply because it is a new release with new competition.  Our concern is simply that the price of $759 is not indicative of any SSD being marketed with a SandForce SF-1222 processor and asynchronous memory.  To be honest, this price is very unrealistic and Renice needs to head this one off and set the X3 mSATA at a reasonable price point before it is too late. Should they do so and we see it hit North American markets at a lower price, we will update this review.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I mentioned in our recent Micron C400 review that the interest shown of mSATA SSDs is truly not indicative of the present applications in which they can be used.  At present, there are relatively few consumer systems that can utilize an mSATA SSD, however, our mSATA traffic has become a gold mine as of late.  There is a definite calling for high capacity mSATA SSDs such as the Renice X3 and, given availability and a decent price point, the Renice X3 240GB mSATA SSD has the avenue to do very well.

Last but not least, stay tuned as we tackle the worlds first SATA 3 ‘SandForce Driven’ 240GB in the next week.

Renice SSD Prices at Amazon.com

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