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Iometer is an I/O subsystem measurement and characterization tool for single and clustered systems. It was originally developed by the Intel Corporation and announced at the Intel Developers Forum (IDF) on February 17, 1998 – since then it got wide spread within the industry. Meanwhile Intel has discontinued work on Iometer and it was given to the Open Source Development Lab (OSDL). The project is now driven by an international group of individuals who are continuously improving, porting and extending the product.
We set up new tests for this review, using both 512k sequential read and write and 4k random read and write to give an overall performance view of the drive. These are stellar results for the Sandforce controller.
OCZ SSD’s are great 🙂 seems like another winner.
I love the sandforce controller, even though it doesnt often translate into a much better ‘real world’ scenario when compared to say intels units. good balanced performer and ideal for database workers.
OCZ dont make a bad SSD, this seems to be a good followup to the original unit.
I think the 40GB units are ideal for boot drives, as long as you have a mechanical drive at hand for storage. I like the look of the new Corsair F40, at under 100 quid.
Very good units these, well made, and pricing isnt too bad. I agree though, two 40gb SSDs in raid 0, seems cheaper and faster. id like to see a review of the new 40GB SSDs
So many companies using sandforce controllers now, they all seem to handle much the same. still, good drive.
The biggest issue for sandforce right now is the marvell/crucial partnership. that controller is more advanced, and the only thing against it is the fact that most motherboards dont have sata 600 ports, and even those who do are crap. you need a dedicated 600 sata controller for optimum performance.
I still find them too expensive. a few good 1TB mechanical drives in raid 0, partitioned to say 300gb boot and 1.7 storage, is pretty good and also fast enough for most people.
Bill, while I understand what you are saying, you really do need to actually use a good, new modern SSD, they are much faster, not just with throughput, but with accessing. they make brilliant boot drives, no doubt about it.
Thanks for the great review zardon.
I want more SSD reviews however, there are so many out there. how about Crucial 128GB REALSSD (256 you reviewed costs too much) and maybe some of the new Corsair sandforce range.
Do OCZ not make a 40GB SSD? I couldnt find any online, I see intels and corsairs.
Hello, we will be looking at many more SSDS over the coming months, we have many in our offices right now and more reviews are forthcoming.
OCZ do make small drives by the way, such as the 30GB vertex which is just over 75 in the UK right now.
Good performers, sandforce is a very good performing controller, class leader in sata 300.
Very nice unit, I had been looking at picking one of these up for a while now.
I would love these to drop to under 200 quid. once you break that point it gets so hard to justify.
Its either one of these, or a crucial REALSSD 128GB. so hard to decide!
Last year I would have bought OCZ immediately. This is a great drive, but the competition is high, I agree. hard to know which to go for. I think if you need high write speeds the sandforce are good, but intel are great with reading and crucial’s are in another league, but only if you have the right controller for it.
Any Sandforce drive is nice and that a monster of a review! Great work!