Which SSD? OCZ Vertex/OCZ Agility/Kingston HyperX

[Weaselboy]

Are you absolutely sure about that? OCZ is known to optimize the reference firmware from Sandforce, it's why they're a bit faster and slower in many areas than any other SSDs, including ones that have the same NANDs.

There are differences in the firmware for all the Sandforce 2200 series controller by brand. OWC focuses on speed and stability with Macs. OCZ is more focused on speed, typically Windows. OCZ even offers MAX IOPs editions which focuses on IOPs which would have more real world benefit. These MAX IOPs editions also get different memory, 35nm vs 25nm. These build difference affect performance and price.

Anandtech says they are all from Sandforce.

Here is the quote:

SandForce delivers firmware to all of its partners, however the schedules don't always match up. OCZ gets first dibs and renames its firmware to avoid direct comparisons to other drives. There are cases where OCZ may have some unique features in its firmwares but I don't believe that's the case with its latest revision.

Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with OWC, but they use the same Sandforce firmware as everybody else and are certainly no faster or better than other drives with the same build specs.