Solid State Drives Are becoming much more common in everyday Computers and Laptops. Why? Performance, Performance, Performance. Nothing works as well as a storage medium with almost no measurable access time for data, no moving parts to get damaged by impact and data speeds that push the threshold of the controller. In the past they have been relegated to high end machines, but with costs coming down all the time to close in on that $1/GB price point, saturation is coming close.

The Vertex lineup of SSD’s produced by OCZ, have always focused on the utmost performance for each SATA Generation it was attached to. The Vertex 2 drives we tested last year easily maxed out Intel ICH10R controller. The Vertex 3 MAXIOPs reviewed later in the year, pushed the PCH67 SATA 6Gbps controller farther than any single drive to date. The Vertex 3 reviewed today combines the Sandforce SATA 6 Gbps controller with 25nm Intel NAND.

SF-2200 controllers provide maximum performance without the need for pricey high speed SLC NAND. It allows higher Write performance with its <1 write amplification rating and maintains high speeds reads with its 8 channel capable RAISE controller. Dubbed ‘Duraclass’ Sandforce increases longevity of the new more volatile 25nm NAND used in SATA 6Gbps drives.

Let us put the Vertex 3 120GB SATA 6Gbps SSD on the test bench and put it through its paces.

OCZ: At a Glance

Founded in 2002, San Jose, California-based OCZ Technology Group, Inc. has built on its expertise in high-speed memory to become a dominant player in the manufacturing and distribution of solid state drives (SSDs), a disruptive, game-changing technology that is replacing traditional rotating magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs are faster, more reliable, run cooler, and use significantly less power than the HDDs used in the majority of computers today. In addition to SSD technology, OCZ also offers high performance components for computing devices and systems, including enterprise class power management products and industrial power accessories.

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