OCZ has decided to reissue their previous
hit - Vertex 3 solid state drive. The new SSD revised version employs the same
LSI SF-2281 controller, except that different flash memory is made by using
more advanced 20 nm manufacturing technology. Have they tried to create another
eye-catching version? Let's learn from our review.
The Vertex 3 is probably the most popular
SSD line from OCZ SSD of all time. Based on the SF-2281 controller LSI, it has
given a very appealing price / performance ratio during its pretty long
lifetime of the product, attracting a great deal of customers. Even so, the
popularity of the Vertex 3 version has recently decreased. A lot of competing
products with flash memory produced on thinner technology process have recently
appeared. The MLC NAND chips have the cheaper prices now, so we are able to see
even more attractive models given out such as the Kingston SSDNow V300 we
reviewed recently. Then it is very natural that OCZ has decided not to
completely abandon the common Vertex 3 series version, but has revised it and
made it bring more advantages and also more attractive for the end-users if
considering it at the aspect of the price / performance ratio.
OCZ
Vertex 3.20 Solid State Drive
It is really quite easy to update an SSD
with SF-2281 controller. You just replace it with a more modern memory variant.
The results that SSD receives will not get any worse at all in terms of speed
while its cost of producing will definitely be lower. We have witnessed many
examples of those transformations, such as Intel's transition from the 330 to
335 version, Corsair’s transition from the Force GT Force to Force GS and some
of the other manufacturers.
As a matter in reality, OCZ itself used to
employ such converting methods in the past. For instance, its Vertex 2 version
moved to a more advanced kind of flash memory, but the process of that
transformation was not advertised and SSDs with updated components have
continued to be sold under the same name. Around this time, OCZ proclaims it
openly, so the updated versions (with 20nm flash memory instead of 25nm) appear
under the name of Vertex 3:20 and have slightly different specifications over
the classic Vertex 3. OCZ has been willing to give us a sample of the new
product, thus we were able to test the new and inexpensive Vertex 3:20 compared
to its predecessor, Vertex 3. We are going to talk about the 240GB versions of
the new SandForce-based SSD from OCZ in this review.
Closer Look at OCZ Vertex 3.20 240 GB
The Vertex 3 used to be a top-leading SSD
from OCZ at one time. After the release of the Vertex 4 and Vector versions, it
moved to the major market segment. Now, the Vertex 3.20 has a position as a
primary product. Even this position may be guessed from its product packaging.
The Vertex 3 used to appear in a cardboard box with a 2.5-3.5’’ adapter, but
the Vertex 2.30 sample is packed in a simple plastic blister wrap coming with a
few leaflets inside.
The
product box
The way of packing is characteristic of the
primary products from OCZ such as the Agility version, so the Vertex 3:20
clearly wants to refer to a replacement for them.
Contrary to the powerful Vector model, the
Vertex 3:20 has the same case as the old Vertex SSDs. Its height is 9.5 mm. It
includes a large bottom plate covered by a black plastic cover from above.
Having the stickers pasted up on the case: with the information on the
manufacturer and logos model on one side and with a component number, series
number and barcodes located on the other.
The
hardware components
Of course, the hardware components are the
most interesting part. The PCB features the new design that was developed in
the middle of last year. It has an SF-2281 controller and 16 chips of MLC NAND
flash.
The
product’s circuit board
Honestly speaking, we expected to find a B2
revision-controller inside the Vertex 3.20 with new flash memory. LSI has
already given it out for a while but OCZ must not have run out of
older-revision chips. There is nothing wrong about that because the versions
are almost the same. A newer version only adds support for Deep Sleep modes
that help make the SSD a little more power-saving. The Vertex 3:20 with
technical specifications refers to consuming 30% less power than the Vertex 3,
but this is only due to the use of flash memory with lower power consumption.
OCZ uses MLC NAND flash made by IMFT for
all of its SSDs. The Vertex 3:20 is no exception, using Intel chips known as
29F16B08CCMF3. We saw almost the same chip of Intel SSD 335, so we know that
each of them has two 64-gigabit NAND devices manufactured on the 20nm
technology process. Thus, the difference between the Vertex 3.20 and its
predecessor that comes down here is the production process of its flash memory.
The new SSD still uses the synchronous ONFI interface and the same level of
mixing on each controller channel.
One thing should be noted here. The 20nm
flash is quite different from the 25nm sample in speed. Intel lets us know that
the new memory is slightly slower in erasing data but OCZ believes that the
performance changes are able to be observed in various situations. Anyway,
moving to a more advanced type of memory, even with the same interface, has
brought about certain changes in the parameters of an SSD.
As we can see, the manufacturers hope to
have a certain drop in random read speed, but the write speed of 4KB data
blocks is promised to be higher. However, we should not forget that technical
details have nothing to do with reality in case of SandForce-based products.
In terms of the Vertex 2:30, we should also
take notice the changes in product model structure. The Vertex 3 series
consists of the models with capacities of 60 up to 480 GB meanwhile the new
model only includes two versions, 120 and 240 GB in capacity. As before, 14% of
the total capacity is unable to be accessed by the user, but is allocated for a
reserve part and for the LIFE technology that ensures data integrity in case of
flash memory loss.
Intel's 20nm flash model has a standard
life of 3,000 rewrite cycles; therefore, the Vertex 2.30 is expected to be like
its predecessor. The 240GB model is likely to be used to write about 192 terabytes
of data, so OCZ offers a 3 year warranty for the Vertex 3.20.
The SF-2281 controller has been entering
its mature phase; there are many more changes between the SSDs that use it.
There are plenty of different versions besides the standard version with
synchronous 25nm flash. The Vertex 3.20 is quite unique in this respect. We
have only met an SF-2281 based drive with 20nm Intel flash once. It is the
Intel 335model. However, Intel’s SSDs are basically different from the other
deployed SandForce models because they have proprietary software. The Vertex
3.20 accompanies with the LSI reference software with minimal optimization.
This is version 2.30.
Unlike many other SSDs, OCZ models
accompany with the handy OCZ Toolbox software. It is likely to be used to
update the software, see the SMART information, and perform the Secure Erase
command from Windows.
