OCZ Vertex 4 256GB SSD w/1.5 Performance Update Storage   Page 1

Reviewer: Jon Coulter Article Publish Date: 7/9/2012

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 

OCZ Technologies flagship model SATA III drive, the Vertex 4, is a drive with constantly evolving performance. This evolving performance is coming fast and changing often, with this week bringing a new firmware launched by OCZ that again improves on an already impressive performance of the venerable Vertex 4. The firmware revision I’m speaking of is the new 1.5 firmware and its available by clicking here. Here’s what the release notes have to say about the new firmware:

Note: After updating to v1.5, you cannot revert back to v1.4.1.3

 

Enhancements:

•Improved sequential file transfer performance for 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models

•Optimized idle garbage collection algorithms to extend the benefits of performance mode by enabling the feature across a greater percentage of the drive

•Improved HBA / RAID card compatibility

•Further improved compatibility with desktop and mobile ATA security features

 

Fixes:

•Corrected a corner case issue where the ‘Remaining Life’ SMART attribute could be reported incorrectly

 

We’ve already seen some pretty impressive numbers put up by the Vertex 4. A further improvement is always a welcome site to our eyes.

As some of you already know, at the heart of the Vertex 4 is an “Indilinx Infused” SSD flash processor called the Everest II. This dual core ARM processor is based on Marvell silicon and “Infused” with OCZ’s own Indilinx proprietary firmware. This is an entirely new concept than was the case with OCZ’s previous flagship Vertex 3. The Vertex 3 was an LSI SandForce based SSD which was powered by firmware written by SandForce. Because the Vertex 4’s Everest II SSD flash processor is powered by OCZ’s own Indilinx firmware, OCZ themselves can choose to improve upon the firmware as often as they see fit, which is something the end user can really benefit from.

The real nuts and bolts of the matter are, OCZ has the intention of laying claim to the performance crown through the Vertex 4. This is no easy task though. This has been and continues to be an uphill struggle for Marvell silicon based SSD flash processors. The uphill struggle comes from a mountain called the LSI SandForce 2281 SSD flash processor. OCZ Technologies Vertex 4 is another attempt to climb the SandForce mountain and plant a OCZ Indininx Infused Marvell SOC flag on top of it. OCZ is the first to make this attempt to scale the SandForce mountain with a new model Marvell dual core SSD flash processor. Being the first to utilize something new is no first to OCZ, after all, OCZ was the first to utilize SandForce SSD flash processors. Being the first to bring a product to market with new silicon has some growing pains with it and some huge rewards as well.

Is OCZ another step closer to taking the performance crown with this new firmware? Will Everest II become the new performance mountain the rest will have to climb? Read on as RWL breaks down the performance of the Vertex 4 256GB with 1.5 firmware installed on it…