OCZ RevoDrive 3 120GB SSD Review
1. Features, specs
Designed with multimedia designers in mind, the RevoDrive 3 SSD Series is a storage solution for intensive workstation applications with maximum performance and a feature-set based on OCZ's proprietary Virtualized Controller Architecture 2.0 (VCA) technology.
OCZ's PCI-E SSD provides benefits to users by incorporating features from the VCA 2.0 flash virtualization software that allow certain direct memory access (DMA) and data management functions. Included in this feature-set are OCZ’s command queuing and queue balancing algorithms, which can be handled by the onboard processing core for higher performance and reduced burden on the host resources. VCA 2.0 is also the only virtualization layer in the industry with TRIM and SCSI unmap support to enhance sustained performance and provide greater endurance by reducing the overhead associated with garbage collection. Furthermore, VCA also offers consolidated SMART support and provides system administrators with features for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting device attributes.
The RevoDrive 3 family gets its edge by employing a PCIe x4 Gen. 2 interface and two SandForce SF-2281 controllers in RAID 0 design to maximize data access and bandwidth. The drive promises to deliver up to 1GB/s of bandwidth and up to 130,000 IOPS (4K random write) under HPC or workstation workloads with a single-card solution.
The OCZ RevoDrive 3 is available in 120GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities. Today we will test the 120GB version of the drive (RVD3-FHPX4-120G), priced online at $400.
Specifications
- 120GB capacity (Available also in 240GB and 480GB capacities)
- PCI-Express Gen. 2 x4 interface
- MLC NAND flash
- Full height form factor
- OCZ SuperScale Storage Controller
- Virtualized Controller Architecture 2.0
- Bootable as a direct-attach device
- 128-bit & 256-bit AES-compliant data encryption
- SMART monitoring
- 167.64 (L) x 98.42 (W) x 15.25mm (H)
- Weight: 114g
- Shock Resistance: 1500g
- Operating Temp: 0°C ~ 70°C
- Ambient Temp: 0°C ~ 55°C
- Storage Temp: -45°C ~ 85°C
- Power Consumption: 7.5W idle, 8.3W active
- MTBF: 1,000,000 hours
- 3-Year Warranty
- Current OS Supported: Windows 7 32/64
120GB Max Performance
- Read: Up to 975 MB/s
- Write: Up to 875 MB/s
- Max Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 120,000 IOPS
Part Number
120GB: RVD3-FHPX4-120G
Features
Single Highest Performing SSD in Prosumer Space
- Up to 3X faster than SATA 6 Gb/s solutions
- Takes full advantage of today's multithreaded processors and software
- Bootable as a direct-attach device
- Single card solution
OCZ Virtualized Controller Architecture
- VCA 2.0 presents as a complete storage subsystem for superior data management
- Only virtualization layer in the industry with TRIM and SCSI unmap support
- Enables SMART monitoring for system administrators
OCZ SuperScale Storage Accelerator
- Facilitates scalable performance for intensive workload
- Unique complex command queuing structure (CCQS) with queue balancing algorithms (QBA)
- Higher performance and reduced burden on the host CPU
ECC Recovery: Up to 55 bits correctable per 512-byte sector (BCH) (varies depending on exact configuration)
Data Reliability: Read unrecoverable bit error rate (UBER) 10e-16
Data Encryption: 128-bit & 256-bit AES-compliant
Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) Support
Fully compliant with the PCIe Electromechanical Specification Rev. 2.0, and PCI-Express Base Specification Rev. 2.0
OCZVCA (Virtualized Controller Architecture ) 2.0
TRIM/SCSI Unmap (requires OS support)
Enabled via OCZ Toolbox