Mtron SSD 32 GB: Performance with a Catch

Flash SSD Comparison Table

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ManufacturerMtronSamsungSanDisk
FamilySolid State DiskSolid State Flash DriveSolid State Flash Drive
Model NumberMSD-SATA6025032NA-SATA 5000
Capacity32 GB32 GB32 GB
Rotational Speed (RPM)FlashFlashFlash
Available Capacities64, 128 GB--
Geometry16 x 32 Gbitn/a
InterfaceSATA/150UltraATA/66SATA/150
Form Factor2.5"2.5"2.5"
Cache (MB)---
NV Cache Size---
NCQ---
Weight114g46 g94 g

Test Setup

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System Hardware
Processor(s)2x Intel Xeon Processor (Nocona core)3.6 GHz, FSB800, 1 MB L2 Cache
PlatformAsus NCL-DS (Socket 604)Intel E7520 Chipset, BIOS 1005
RAMCorsair CM72DD512AR-400 (DDR2-400 ECC, reg.)2x 512 MB, CL3-3-3-10 Timings
System Hard DriveWestern Digital Caviar WD1200JB120 GB, 7,200 U/Min, 8 MB Cache, UltraATA/100
Mass Storage Controller(s)Intel 82801EB UltraATA/100 Controller (ICH5)Promise SATA 300TX4Promise FastTrak TX4310Driver 2.06.1.310
NetworkingBroadcom BCM5721 On-Board Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Graphics-SubsystemOn-Board GraphicsATI RageXL, 8 MB
System Hardware
Performance Measurementsc’t h2benchw 3.6
PCMark05 V1.01
I/O-PerformanceIOMeter 2003.05.10Fileserver-BenchmarkWebserver-BenchmarkDatabase-BenchmarkWorkstation-Benchmark
System Software & Drivers
OSMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Service Pack 1
Platform DriverIntel Chipset Installation Utility 7.0.0.1025
Graphics DriverDefault Windows Graphics Driver