OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 PCIe SSD Performance Preview

We really like PCMark Vantage's HDD Performance module for its real-world application measurement approach to testing.  PCMark Vantage offers a trace-based measurements of system response times under various scripted workloads of traditional client/desktop system operation.  From simple Windows start-up performance to data streaming from a drive in a game engine and video editing with Windows Movie Maker, we feel more comfortable that these tests reasonably illustrate the performance profile of SSDs in an end-user/consumer or workstation PC usage model.

This series of Vantage tests will stress mostly read performance in real-world usage models, with a broad mix of sequential and random read transactions of both small and large file sizes.

Futuremark's PCMark Vantage
http://www.futuremark.com

 

In terms of overall performance, the OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 offered the best results here in these mostly read-intensive workload.  The Gaming module in PCMark Vantage, for example, employs data decompression that is required in loading a compressed game level from the drive being tested. Another area where the RevoDrive 3 X2 shined was Windows Photo Gallery, where importing digital images into the application is the required workload.  Both of these tests require larger sequential transfers, an area of strength for RevoDrive 3 X2.  The only test where OCZ's new PCIe SSD lagged behind a touch was Vista start-up, where it couldn't quite catch the Fusion-io ioDrive.  The caveat here is of course that Fusion-io's product is not bootable, so the datapoint holds a bit less weight with us as a result. 

On a side note, that we did test the RevoDrive 3 X2 as a boot volume, just to see how snappy it was getting to a Windows 7 desktop.  Unfortunately we were met with lack-luster results.  OCZ informed us that this is because the drive is currently employing 32-bit drivers in Windows currently and our 64-bit installation was hampering performance.  We were also assured that OCZ will be releasing full WHQL certified 64-bit drivers with the product when it ship to retail channels.


David Altavilla

David Altavilla

Dave Altavilla is the founder, Editor In Chief and Publisher of HotHardware.com. With decades of experience as a semiconductor sales engineer, Dave Altavilla founded HotHardware.com over 25 years ago. Dave is also a published contributor to various technology-based publications and is a featured Tech Analyst expert on various network media shows. 

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