OCZ Vertex 4 128 GB: Revisiting Write Performance With Firmware 1.5

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In our recent look at the Vertex 4 SSD equipped with firmware 1.4, we found that the 128 GB drive's write performance depended heavily on available capacity. OCZ disagreed, but then quickly rolled out firmware 1.5. So, we're back to test the new build.

Firmware 1.4.1.3: AS SSD Compression Benchmark

After the file transfers, we ran AS SSD's compression benchmark, which generates random test patterns over the target drive using variable levels of compression. It's a particularly useful metric for evaluating SSDs with SandForce controllers in them, since they employ compression algorithms.

The Vertex 4 centers on a Marvell controller that does not utilize compression, so its results are not impacted by the compressibility of the test files. But we do get a visualization of performance over the span of the test file.

Our first run was started after folders one, two, and three had been transferred, leaving 25% free space.


Our second run started after we rebooted twice, making no other changes. Write performance improved by simply restarting the system. However, it's still not optimal.

We fired up our third run after deleting folders one, two, and four, leaving 63% free capacity. Write speeds returned to their optimal levels.

Richard Hart
34 Comments Comment from the forums
  • DeusAres
    Good idea I suppose. Nothing that's going to particularly influence my decision. Probably gonna be sticking with either a Crucial or Corsair SSD. :)
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    on pages 6 and 7, the author of the article is shown as "Chris angelini"
    the rest of the pages show "Richard Hart"
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    does the rearrangement of data occur only during a reboot cycle?
    how much idle time is needed for the data rearrangement to take place?
    And what is the authors recommendation on a Vertex4? should a user buy Vertex 4 over a Samsung/Sandforce?
    Reply
  • lutel
    Does this SDD support full disk encryption with any of the Intel desktop mainboards (Ivy Bridge)? AFAIK Intel is not supporting FDE since Q67 and although Q77 is capable of FDE, there is no mobo with BIOS that can support it. Could Tomshardware investigate it?
    Reply
  • TheSandman
    So keep the disk under half full and it wears out twice as fast?
    Does the performance mode mean that the wear leveling is constrained to the first bit of every cell and therefore the drive wears out quicker compared to normal mode?
    Reply
  • I went from firmware 1.3 to 1.5, the performance increase is huge, but the down side is that the drive is not 128GB anymore but only 120GB. Has anyone else seen this issue also? Did OCZ reserve more spare?
    Reply
  • JohnnyLucky
    How many additional firmware updates are needed before OCZ gets it right?
    Reply
  • redgarl
    AnonymousI went from firmware 1.3 to 1.5, the performance increase is huge, but the down side is that the drive is not 128GB anymore but only 120GB. Has anyone else seen this issue also? Did OCZ reserve more spare?It is actually occuring with update 1.4. Hmm, damn I need to do another clone disk before doing the update.
    Reply
  • kissingman
    Bother! I just purchased one.The more worse is this one has updated to firmware 1.4.
    Reply
  • blazorthon
    JohnnyLuckyHow many additional firmware updates are needed before OCZ gets it right?
    Do you dislike manufacturers improving their products without demanding that you pay more money for the improvements?
    Reply