OCZ Vector 256GB SSD Review @ [H]

FrgMstr

FrgMstr

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OCZ Vector 256GB SSD Review - OCZ soft launches the 256GB Vector SSD with its first OCZ-proprietary controller, the Barefoot 3. Geared for steady state performance, the OCZ Vector SSD is designed with the end user in mind. Today we take a look at the Vector and the new controller architecture and see how these fare in our steady state testing.

Listed for sale at Amazon now.
 
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I'll check back in a few months. If the failure rate is not 50% over time (like the doorstop Vertex units I have) then I might consider OCZ again. Maybe.
 
Kyle - have you guys had a chance to run through a Samsung 840 Pro unit yet? Wish that was SSD was in this comparison. Nice review - thanks.
 
Brahmzy said:
Kyle - have you guys had a chance to run through a Samsung 840 Pro unit yet? Wish that was SSD was in this comparison. Nice review - thanks.
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Bought one last week, on the bench now.
 
the test setup page should include all the drives tested. i assume they all were 240-256gb drives?
 
This was an all-around great article. I also really liked reading about OCZ's current state of affairs. Very nice job.
 
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Yes, we are aware of issues, and we bought the Pro model. Samsung was willing to provide a review sample, but said it would be weeks, after waiting weeks, for a firmware update. Hugh is all over it like white on rice. (I can still say that since I am white, right? ;) )
 
I still haven't had any issues with my OCZ drives. Would definitely buy one of these if I needed another.
 
saitei said:
I still haven't had any issues with my OCZ drives. Would definitely buy one of these if I needed another.
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My Vertex 4 still runs like a champ, the ones in my friends computers and my work computer do to.

I'm sure glad I didn't get them when I guess they were bad, I would buy another OCZ SSD without flinching.
 
xX326Xx said:
My Vertex 4 still runs like a champ, the ones in my friends computers and my work computer do to.

I'm sure glad I didn't get them when I guess they were bad, I would buy another OCZ SSD without flinching.
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I'm still running a 3x30g OCZ Vertex 1 RAID0 for my apps/code (moved it off OS duty a while ago).
 
Fixed! My fault, I misspelled Vortex on my final search through to clean up that repeated error. - Kyle
 
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Nice Review. Thanks gang.

I've been rocking the Vertex 4 for a few months now and it has been quite solid and nice performance. The Vector looks like a logical progression. I'd buy it.
 
Great review, loved the background info on OCZ as a company. I'll be following ianken's lead though, and wait to see what the survival rate is for these drives :p
5 year warranty makes me feel confident though..
 
This thing is neck and neck with the Samsung 840 Pro. They trade a metric here and there, but I have never seen 2 SSDs so close.
 
Interesting. I wish there was a bit more info on the Samsungs controller.
One thing that really sets the Vector apart from other SSDs is the Aragon co-processor. Its unique architecture and instruction set (tailored natively for SSDs, most just use modified coding) is certainly the platform that OCZ and Indy are going to use to move forward. Maybe no ARM Cortex the next time.
 
Brahmzy said:
This thing is neck and neck with the Samsung 840 Pro. They trade a metric here and there, but I have never seen 2 SSDs so close.
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That's what I want to see, [H]'s take on the 840 Pro 256GB versus the Vector 256GB.
 
Just blew some fine dust off my 1 TB Barracuda 7200 RPM SATA.

Looks like I'll be keepin that puppy for a while. :cool:
 
dude, get a caching SSD, just a small one. Or keep rocking the spinner, whatever gets you down the road, but caching is awesome :)
 
I started with vertex 1, went through 4 of them before they finally upgraded me to a Vertex2. Vertex 2 was fine and never had issue. Bought vertex 4 and it was good, just too much lack of information by ocz and hiding the truth. They tried to make it seem like it was their controller when it was marvell infused...ya right... Then they came out with firmware 1.5 that slowed it down if 50% of it was used...Even with the slowdown noone is going to notice unless you benchmark. Switched to samsung 840 pro and wont go back. What good is a warranty (ocz) if they might not be around in a year or two?
 
Good review. Nice to get the trubs at OCZ up front, hope they weather it out. I recently jumped on the SSD bandwagon and sport Vertex4, Petrol and Octane drives in 3 of my rigs. Had a corruption issue while using the Petrol but I'm pretty sure it was due to a previously solid but suddenly unstable OC as a reformat and firmware upgrade went without a hitch and have been problem free since. Have bought a PSU or two and a few RAM modules over the years and remember when OCZ was one of the first to offer OC friendly RAM. Would be a loss to see them go, especially when they finally reach part of their goal. Hope all goes well for them in the forthcoming proceedings.
 
well that is an argument that has some validity. OCZ is attempting to redefine themselves, and I think that they have a good plan. That of course isn't guaranteed, but there are further options available that we didn't list in the article. It was getting a bit too long!
OCZ could sell some of their IP and patents. This could be very lucrative as they own so many and some aren't being used. From hitting the trade shows I have been lucky enough to observe some of the gear they have designed, and it is sure to have real value. This type of sale could generate huge income for them, or at least enough to float for a period of time as they restructure.
There is also the possibility of a stock split. This could generate some revenue as well. Their stock shot up 20% today after the reviews hit the web. The point is there are still options.
Their lenders, Wells Fargo among them, may also step in to keep them afloat.
The CEO made a very smart move invoking the SEC investigation themselves. It is much better from a legal standpoint. That is the real threat to the health of the company right now, but cooperating with this can make the whole process a lot simpler.
They are in trouble, but not circling the drain. The next few months will be important, but we will keep an eye on it :) There are still options if things do not go as well as planned, but for the most part they aren't entirely in Code Red.
The decision lies with the readers, all we can do is provide the most information that we can to further your buying decisions. Hence the long history on the first page :)
However, judging on hardware alone, the Vector is a gold all the way.
 
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Great read. I also enjoyed the OCZ current state of things intro. I also am holding my breath to see failure rates of these.
 
This instruction set is very important, as it allows for most instructions and branches to be executed in a single cycle.
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You should say architecture, not instruction set. The instruction does not necessarily determine the number of cycles it will take to execute.
 
Well just bought 2 Samsung 840 Pro's for RAID0. I hope the Vector's don't run all over the them.
 
gman said:
Well just bought 2 Samsung 840 Pro's for RAID0. I hope the Vector's don't run all over the them.
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LOL, so did I - I think we're safe. Mine are smokin' fast and we're are right there with the Vectors.
 
Awesome review, I might have to pick a few up for my gf and myself.
 
It looks like OCZ is headed in the right direction with the Vector. The Vertex 4 is holding up much better than its Sandforce predecessors as well.
 
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Vector 256 in RAID 0
 
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