Vertex 2 Overview
Just like all of the other solid state drives we have looked at the Vertex 2 comes in the 2.5-inch form factor. OCZ uses a black casing with a sticker on the top. The sticker has the Vertex 2 and OCZ logo on it. Because there are no moving parts on solid state drives the casing that is used really is not a big deal.
Flipping the Vertex 2 over you have another sticker with some information on it and the barcode. You will also notice a sticker on one of the screws. If this sticker is broken you will void your warranty, but don’t worry we will be doing that. Just like all solid state drives you have the SATA data and power connections.
So how about we void our warranty and get inside the drive! Getting inside the drive is very easy, just go ahead and remove the 4 screws on the back of the drive and slide the back covering off. As we look at the inside of the drive we can see the SandForce SF-1200 chip, more specifically the SF-1222TA3-SBH. Surrounding the controller is 8 8GB MLC NAND flash chips. These chips are manufactured by Intel.
To see the other side of the PCB we need to remove it completely from the casing. This requires you to remove 4 more small screws. When we remove the PCB completely and take a look at the other side there are 8 more 8GB NAND flash chips.
Ehm… “For comparison we will be testing the C300 against these 2 other drives…”
Should this say: “For comparison we will be testing the 'Vertex 2 Extended' against these 2 other drives…”
Thanks for that, it has been changed
OCZ Vertex2 120G SSD does not have 13% reserve space but 8%. The “real” chip size is 128. A 100G has 28% reserve space.
8G of 120G is 6.6% only.
The NAND density is actually 2^37 or 137,438,953,472 Bytes.
The drive density is 120,034,123,776 Bytes.
That’s 12.66%.
Awesome review, Bob!
I just picked up this drive to put in my MacBook Pro. Got it for $199cdn after rebate. Man the prices sure have dropped on these things. Can’t wait till they get to $1/GB or less! 😉
Nice to see that you finally made it over to the site Gary! Prices sure are dropping after CES this year things will go down even more! I can’t wait to see what new SSD stuff they are going to show us at CES!
The last time I was on your site I believe it was a previous theme. I
haven’t been keeping up with PC stuff lately after I switched over to Mac
(the dark side). 😉
I love theme of your site. Lookin’ good man. I’ll be back to see what you
dig up from CES!
The last time I was on your site I believe it was a previous theme. I
haven’t been keeping up with PC stuff lately after I switched over to Mac
(the dark side). 😉
I love theme of your site. Lookin’ good man. I’ll be back to see what you
dig up from CES!