Today we’ll talk about Vertex 2 SSD drive. Vertex 2 is based on the new architecture with Sandforce SF 1200 controller, unlike the original Vertex which uses Indilinx Barefoot controller. OCZ and many other manufacturers have opted on Sandforce controller since it currently offers a great bang per buck.

Compared to its predecessor, the Vertex 2 has an upper hand when it comes to sequential and random read/write ratio. Writing 4k files on Vertex 2 reaches 50,000 IOPS, which should theoretically result in better OS responsiveness.

Vertex 2 drive offers quality, reliability and durability, and the name Vertex looks set to stay for a while. Vertex series still offers solid performance and it’s one of the first SSDs with garbage collection and TRIM, the later being native on Vertex 2. TRIM feature is a standard feature on new controllers and it helps maintaining the best possible performance. Furthermore, it runs great combined with Windows 7.

Vertex 2 uses Sandforce 1200, which is the reason why first SSDs based on it had capacities of 50GB and 100GB, rather than 60GB and 120GB like we’re used to with other drives. In the meantime, Sandforce controller has been improved so OCZ now offers Vertex 2 disks with standard capacities as well as the previously mentioned, 50GB and 100GB ones.

Specs say Vertex 2 reads and writes at 285/275 MB/s respectively, whereas sustained write is at 250MB/s. Thanks to Sandforce, capacity won’t affect read and write speeds, except on 400GB and 480GB models where read/write is 250/240 MB/s and sustained write is 200MB/s.

OCZ’s web portal lists Vertex 2 drives starting from 50GB up to 480GB. Performance difference between the standard and non-standard capacity drives is nonexistent, but as usual – more space means higher pricing.

So, depending on your needs, you can treat yourself to as much as 8 different flavors: 50GB (OCZSSD2-2VTX50G), 60GB (OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G), 100GB (OCZSSD2-2VTX100G), 120GB (OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G), 200GB (OCZSSD2-2VTX200G) 240GB (OCZSSD2-2VTXE240G), 400GB (OCZSSD2-2VTX400G) and 480GB (OCZSSD2-2VTXE480G).

50GB and 60GB capacity Vertex 2 drives are potential targets for notebook/desktop users who want to improve their OS experience, whereas for mass data storage or entry level enterprise application, users can turn to 100GB and higher capacity drives.

Vertex 2 uses MLC flash memory, with no cache memory on the disk except for undeclared amount of integrated cache memory on the controller. As far as reliability and data loss prevention is concerned, the developer claims all capacities are equally good. In fact, OCZ lists a 2 million hour MTBF for Vertex 2 and offers a three year guarantee.

The drive we’re talking about today is OCZ’s Vertex 2 (OCZSSD2-2VTX100G). It is a 2.5’’ slim design and comes in black color. In case you missed it, write speeds are at 285 MB/s, read speeds at 275 MB/s and sustained write goes up to 250 MB/s. It’s optimized for writing 4K files, so maximum aligned 4K IOPS stands at 50.000 IOPS.

The drive consumes only 0.5W in idle but it doesn’t get much higher during operation either – only 2W. You’ll probably learn to appreciate this if you use it in a laptop. The drive weighs 77g and measures 99.8 x 69.63 x 9.3mm.

In the box we found a drive tray, which will certainly make mounting the drive in various cases easy.

Before we move onto our tests, let’s review Vertex 2’s specs:

• Available in 50GB to 400GB capacities
• Available in 60GB to 480GB extended capacities
• Native TRIM support
• Max IOPS Firmware
• Seek Time: .1ms
• Slim 2.5" Design
• 99.8 x 69.63 x 9.3mm
• Lightweight: 77g
• Operating Temp: 0°C ~ 70°C
• Storage Temp: -45°C ~ +85°C
• Low Power Consumption: 2W in operation,
  0.5W in standby
• Shock Resistant up to 1500G
• RAID Support
• Included 3.5" Desktop adapter bracket
• Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and Linux
• MTBF: 2 million hours
  3-Year Warranty
  

50-240GB Max Performance:

• Max Read: up to 285MB/s
• Max Write: up to 275MB/s
• Sustained Write: up to 250MB/s
• Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 50,000 IOPS

400-480GB Max Performance:

• Max Read: up to 250MB/s
• Max Write: up to 240MB/s
• Sustained Write: up to 200MB/s
• Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 22,500 IOPS

Part Numbers:

• 50GB - OCZSSD2-2VTX50G
• 100GB - OCZSSD2-2VTX100G
• 200GB - OCZSSD2-2VTX200G
• 400GB - OCZSSD2-2VTX400G
  
  
 Extended Capacities:

• 60GB - OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G
• 120GB - OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G
• 240GB - OCZSSD2-2VTXE240G
• 480GB - OCZSSD2-2VTXE480G
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