Test System
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| System Hardware for Performance Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Details |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-2500K (Sandy Bridge) 32 nm, D2, 4C/4T, 3.3 GHz, 4 x 256 KB L2 Cache, 6 MB L3 Cache w/ HD Graphics 3000, 95 W TDP, 3.7 GHz max. Turbo Boost |
| Motherboard (LGA 1155) | Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3, Revision: 0.2, Chipset: Intel Z68 Express, BIOS: F3 |
| RAM | 2 x 2 GB DDR3-1333, Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D |
| System SSD | Intel X25-M G1, 80 GB, Firmware 0701, SATA 3 Gb/s |
| Controller | Intel PCH Z68 SATA 6 Gb/s |
| Power Supply | Seasonic X-760 760 W, SS-760KM Active PFC F3 |
| Benchmarks | |
| Performance Measurements | h2benchw 3.16 |
| Row 9 - Cell 0 | PCMark 7 1.0.4 |
| I/O Performance | Iometer 2006.07.27 |
| Row 11 - Cell 0 | File server Benchmark |
| Row 12 - Cell 0 | Web server Benchmark |
| Row 13 - Cell 0 | Database Benchmark |
| Row 14 - Cell 0 | Workstation Benchmark |
| Row 15 - Cell 0 | Streaming Reads |
| Row 16 - Cell 0 | Streaming Writes |
| Row 17 - Cell 0 | 4K Random Reads |
| Row 18 - Cell 0 | 4K Random Writes |
| System Software & Drivers | |
| Driver | Details |
| Operating System | Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1 |
| Intel Inf | 9.2.0.1030 |
| Intel Rapid Storage | 10.5.0.1026 |
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| System Hardware for Power Draw Measurements (SSD Variant) | |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Details |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Extreme X7800 (Merom), 65 nm, E1, 2C/2T, 2.6 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 44 W TDP |
| Motherboard (Socket 478) | MSI Fuzzy GM965, Revision: 1.0, Chipset: Intel GM965, BIOS: A9803IMS.220 |
| RAM | 2 x 1 GB DDR2-666, Crucial BallistiX CM128M6416U27AD2F-3VX |
| System HDD | Western Digital WD3200BEVT, 320 GB, SATA 3 Gb/s, 5400 RPM |
| Controller | Intel ICH8-ME |
| Power Supply | Seasonic X-760 760 W, SS-760KM Active PFC F3 |
| Benchmarks | |
| Video Playback | VLC 1.1.1 |
| Row 9 - Cell 0 | Big_Buck_Bunny_1080p |
| I/O Performance | Iometer 2006.07.27 |
| Row 11 - Cell 0 | Database Benchmark |
| Row 12 - Cell 0 | Streaming Writes |
| Operating System & Drivers | |
| Driver | Details |
| Operating System | Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1 |
| Intel Inf | 9.2.0.1021 |
| Intel Graphics | 15.12.75.4.64 |
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| System Hardware for Real-Life Tests | |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Details |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-530 (Clarkdale) 32 nm, C2, 2C/4T, 2.93 GHz, 2x 256 KB L2 Cache, 4 MB L3 Cache, w/ HD Graphics, 73 W TDP |
| Motherboard (LGA 1155) | MSI H57M-ED65, Revision: 1.0, Chipset: Intel H57, BIOS: 1.5 |
| RAM | 2 x 4 GB DDR3-1333, Kingston KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX |
| Controller | Intel PCH H57 SATA 3 Gb/s |
| Power Supply | Seasonic X-760 760 W, SS-760KM Active PFC F3 |
| Benchmarks | |
| Performance Measurements | SYSmark 2012 |
| Operating System & Drivers | |
| Driver | Details |
| Operating System | Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1 (updated on 2011-08-10) |
| Intel Inf | 9.2.0.1030 |
| Intel Rapid Storage | 10.6.0.1002 |
The following test results are representative of most SSDs and hard disks. The test components were chosen in order to make the best comparison between both variants. Our drives are tested on the very same systems. The object of this article is to explore the performance benefits of SSDs versus hard disks as system drives. The goal here isn't to suggest that SSDs are a cure-all for any performance issue, and we certainly don't recommend solid-state technology in a storage role, where the purpose is capacity-driven.