Transcend SSD720 128GB Review (7.0mm)

1. Introduction2. Transcend SSD720 128GB3. Transcend SSD720 128GB (Super High Res Gallery)4. Testing Methodology5. CrystalDiskMark6. Atto Disk Benchmark7. AS SSD8. PCMark 79. IOMeter10. Real World Testing11. Closing Thoughts12. View All Pages

This may be the first Transcend product we have reviewed, but the SSD720 128GB is without doubt, a monster. It performs better than many of the competing Sandforce 2281 powered drives thanks in part to the excellent choice of Sandisk MLC NAND flash.

Sandforce drives are well known to suffer from substandard incompressible data performance but the SSD720 128GB delivers 475 MB/s sequential read throughput with AS SSD. This is right up there with the class leaders, and as good as we have seen in the last year.

IOPS performance is also well above average, meaning that it can be used for more serious workstation/server duties while maintaining a high level of sustainable throughput.

During our real world testing, the Transcend SSD720 128GB managed to keep up with the fastest drives on the market, only falling behind the Patriot Wildfire when dealing with incompressible data. We would imagine that the 256GB SSD720 drive will perform even better due to the NAND configuration.

The market today is flooded with quality solid state drives today and the consumer is really spoilt for choice. Therefore a sizable percentage of the buying decision must be based on the pricing.

At time of press, you can get this drive direct from DABS in the UK for £129.99 inc vat, which is certainly competitive. 256GB and 512GB models are also available for £249.99 inc vat and £439.99 inc vat respectively.

Transcend have a three year limited warranty which is reassuring, especially considering some widely documented controller issues which have affected some Corsair and OCZ Sandforce 2281 products in the past.

We have no hesitation in recommending this drive as a versatile, fast and competitively priced choice for a high performance boot drive.

Pros:

• Fast.
• strong incompressible read performance.
• 3 year warranty.
• well priced
• 7mm, built for space restrictive Ultrabooks.

Cons:

• Better drives if incompressible data performance is a primary requirement.

Kitguru says: A really balanced, capable all round Solid State Drive.

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