GUIDE: SSD Benchmark Comparison

[Orlandoech.com]

NOTE:All benchmarks are benchmarked on either 2011 (HDD Bay w/ SATA III (6GBit/s)) or 2012 MacBook Pro's with SATA III (6GBit/s). Benchmarks may vary. Any users willing to contribute would be much appreciated. Thanks!


CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Benchmark Tools & Other Utilities
• Benchmarks
  • Apple Retina OEM (Samsung) SSD 256GB
  • Corsair Force GT 240GB
  • Crucial M4 256GB
  • Intel 520 Series 240GB
  • OCZ Vertex 4 256GB
  • SanDisk Extreme 240GB
  • Samsung 830 256GB
  • Samsung 840 250GB
  • Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
• RMA Links

Introduction

I did 5 speed tests on each of the following drives with Trim Enabled via Trim Enabler on a 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro in the MAIN hard drive bay. A $10 Optibay Hard Drive Caddy as also used to test firmware updating via Bootcamp.

Benchmark Tools & Other Utilities

• Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
• AJA System Test
• Xbench
• TrimEnabler App

Benchmarks

• Apple Retina OEM (Samsung) SSD 256GB
  
  FIRMWARE: Updated via Mac App Store Updates[/url]
  INFO: 256GB OEM Retina SSD Removed and put into a 2.5" Enclosure, then installed in a 2012 13" MBP.
  
  
  
• Corsair Force GT 240GB SSD
  
  FIRMWARE: Cannot be updated in OSX natively, you must use a Windows PC or with Bootcamp using the Windows Update Tool found at http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110257
  
  
  
• Crucial M4 256GB SSD
  
  FIRMWARE: Can be updated in OSX with a USB Drive or CD Disc using these instructions http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-St...ers/td-p/59000 or via Bootcamp using the Windows Updater Tool found at http://www.crucial.com/support/firmware.aspx
  
  
  
• Intel 520 Series 240GB SSD
  
  FIRMWARE: Can only be updated via Windows with Bootcamp using the Windows Updater Tool found at http://www.intel.com/support/go/ssdfirmware/index.htm
  
  
  
• OCZ Vertex 4 256GB SSD
  
  FIRMWARE: Easily updated for the Mac with their MacTools http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/fo...irmware-update and can be updated via Bootcamp following these instructions http://techarcana.net/2011/11/03/upd...n-macbook-pro/
  
  
  
• SanDisk Extreme 240GB SSD
  
  
  
  
• Samsung 830 256GB SSD
  
  FIRMWARE: Cannot be updated in OSX natively, you must use a Windows PC or with Bootcamp using Samsung's Magician software found at http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.co...an_Ver.3.1.exe
  
  
  
• Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
  
  
  

RMA Links

• Corsair - Offers Advance RMA? Yes
• Crucial - Offers Advance RMA? No
• Intel - Offers Advance RMA? Yes
• OCZ - Offers Advance RMA? Yes
• SanDisk - Offers Advance RMA? - ???
• Samsung - Offers Advance RMA? No

[afinch1992]

thanks for the comparison. You could throw a free ssd my way

[jasonbro]

OK. So by "free" you mean you bought them all on credit then called then manufacturer lied about them being broken and returned them??

cool.

How old are you?

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by jasonbro

OK. So by "free" you mean you bought them all on credit then called then manufacturer lied about them being broken and returned them??

cool.

How old are you?

I'm 28 and by free, I do customer services reviews for various manufactures. I get paid to get free items, test them and inquire about their support and pass this info on to companies so they can improve their quality of customer relations.

Ive received PS3, Xbox, computer parts and even a washer and dryer free.

All the information I report back has to be completely unbiased or else I don't get paid.

[Dark Void]

Good info.

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by jasonbro

why did you RMA them if they werent broken?

I like how you edited your post and btw, I paid for my rmbp and MacBook 13" in full with my salary.

[jasonbro]

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

I like how you edited your post and btw, I paid for my rmbp and MacBook 13" in full with my salary.

I realized that you had a website and 6 quadrillion posts and prolly wouldnt do that. Sorry

EDIT: I changed it back. It was wishful thinking to think i changed it before someone saw it.

[brentsg]

If there's one thing OCZ has experience with, it's the RMA.

[afinch1992]

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

I'm 28 and by free, I do customer services reviews for various manufactures. I get paid to get free items, test them and inquire about their support and pass this info on to companies so they can improve their quality of customer relations.

Ive received PS3, Xbox, computer parts and even a washer and dryer free.

All the information I report back has to be completely unbiased or else I don't get paid.

My offer still stands.

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by jasonbro

I realized that you had a website and 6 quadrillion posts and prolly wouldnt do that. Sorry

No worries. I also only do this reviews for major players in their respective markets. When I did washers and dryers, I did LG, Maytag, Frigidaire and Whirlpool.

[jasonbro]

Thanks for the comparison. Awesome.

[heolongvang]

Good info for newbie like me to buy a new SSD.
Seem like Sandforce controller SSD is not a good idea for Macbook with heavily used in editing photo.

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by heolongvang

Good info for newbie like me to buy a new SSD.
Seem like Sandforce controller SSD is not a good idea for Macbook with heavily used in editing photo.

I was thinking the same for the most part.

[MaxPower72]

great review thank you

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by MaxPower72

great review thank you

Welcome. I had the free time :\ and products

[Irock619]

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

Welcome. I had the free time :\ and products

How do you inquire about jobs like yours? Do you work for a specific company? I could use a second job, just moved from Texas to San Francisco, CA and the cost of living is outrageous here

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by Irock619

How do you inquire about jobs like yours? Do you work for a specific company? I could use a second job, just moved from Texas to San Francisco, CA and the cost of living is outrageous here

Got lucky with a friend that worked at sony that hooked me up. Its not a full time job though.

[maxwelltech]

Do you have any data about the SanDisk Extreme SSD? It is based on SF-2281 controller and SanDisk's own toggle NAND. I am about to install this on a 2012 13 MBP (the higher-end model).

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by maxwelltech

Do you have any data about the SanDisk Extreme SSD? It is based on SF-2281 controller and SanDisk's own toggle NAND. I am about to install this on a 2012 13 MBP (the higher-end model).

Unfortunately I do not. But if you want to add the data feel welcome. Or pass it on to me and I will

[maxwelltech]

Originally Posted by maxwelltech

Do you have any data about the SanDisk Extreme SSD? It is based on SF-2281 controller and SanDisk's own toggle NAND. I am about to install this on a 2012 13 MBP (the higher-end model).

I just finished installing the SanDisk Extreme on my MacBook Pro. The process is a little bit longer than I expected, because I stripped a couple of screws (I am not really good working with hardware, especially computers). Once completed, I fresh installed the system and used Migration Assistant to copy my data over. The speed test result is in the attachment below.
The benchmark result is a little bit underwhelming, probably because the BlackMagic tool uses incompressible data while the SandForce controller likes compressible data. The real world difference however is HUGE. The system now boots up in 10 seconds, much, much better than the 5400rpm hard drive. Apps like iMovie used to take like 5 bounces to start up, now it starts in 1 bounce. I got the SSD for a great deal at $80. It is a great upgrade to any system.

[MaxPower72]

an SSD is the best upgrade you can give your Mac

[MrMacBookPro]

I'd rather not start another thread but will add to this one... I'm a newbie on here obviously but since the stock HD is 320GB what is the advantage of the 128GB SSD? I understand faster boot ups and possible lower temps but I'm also loosing space at the same time.. Is that right or am i confusing myself..

Also how would i back up Snow leopard for the new SSD?

I found some 128GB on Crucial's websites.. Are those good or go with the Vertex and is this the best bang for the buck?

I'm not a gamer just a casual computer hog who runs multiple taps open and loves itunes.. i also may eventually upgrade to Mountain Lion.. I also plan on the 8GB kit from Crucial..

Thanks

[danielvinson]

Originally Posted by MrMacBookPro

I found some 128GB on Crucial's websites.. Are those good or go with the Vertex and is this the best bang for the buck?

Actually the Vertex 3 is probably the best if you can find it on sale - since it has been around so long you end up with much more stable firmware, and it is almost as fast as the Vertex 4. I see them on sale all the time for $70/128GB.

[MrMacBookPro]

Originally Posted by danielvinson

Actually the Vertex 3 is probably the best if you can find it on sale - since it has been around so long you end up with much more stable firmware, and it is almost as fast as the Vertex 4. I see them on sale all the time for $70/128GB.

thanks, I'm just a little confused on the factory 320HD vs the 128GB SSD?

[Orlandoech.com]

Originally Posted by danielvinson

Actually the Vertex 3 is probably the best if you can find it on sale - since it has been around so long you end up with much more stable firmware, and it is almost as fast as the Vertex 4. I see them on sale all the time for $70/128GB.

Vertex 3 is a great drive, but also Sandforce driven so the Write speeds will be slower than the Vertex 4 which is Indilex driven.

Vertex 3 is a good drive, but the V4 is just so much faster and more reliable imo.