We’ve taken a look at SSDs on MacTrast before, looking at whether or not the performance of an SSD justifies the price in our various reviews. It occurs to me, however, that we’ve so far only taken a look at Other World Computing’s SSD offerings, namely their Mercury Extreme Pro, Mercury Extreme Pro 6G, and Mercury Electra 6G.

If you've recently read our last SSD Roundup, then OCZ's Vertex 3 Max IOPS drive should look familiar. On the outside, it looks almost exactly the same as the original Vertex 3 drive. The only differences are that the references to the 'Vertex 3' model name now have 'Max IOPS' appended to them. Yodot Mac Data Recovery is the renowned data recovery application that can be used to restore data from OCZ Vertex 3 SSD irrespective of reasons for data loss or deletion on Macintosh machine. To get back data from OCZ Vertex 3 240GB drive just install the demo version of this tool and follow simple instructions provided on screen.

OCZ Vertex 3 Max IOPs 240GB review The Vertex 3 is back with more IOPS By Phil Iwaniuk 23 October 2011. Trademark Vertex sequential figures, with Max IOPS living up to its name. OCZ Toolbox v4.2.0.3430 - Improve Secure Erase process - Refresh drive info after Secure Erase - Support new Everest 2 revisions - Improve update verification. OCZ Vertex 3 Max IOPS Firmware 2.25. Issues resolved since version 2.22: - Fixed the normalized value calculation for SMART Attribute 9. But if the Vertex 3 is anything to go by, SandForce's latest controller has almost made the interface redundant for SSDs overnight. OCZ's exploration of the PCIe bus for its RevoDrive.

In this review, I’ll take a look at OCZ’s recently released Vertex 3 SATA 6GB/s SSD ($439.99, Newegg.com UPDATE: Now $199), OCZ’s high-end consumer drive, and compare it to Other World Computing’s Mercury Extreme Pro 6G (review).

Overview

The OCZ Vertex 3 is a SATA 3-based consumer SSD, advertising read speeds of up to 550MB/s, and write speeds of up to 520 MB/s. While these drives lack the aluminum shaft of OWC’s Mercury line of drives, instead using a high-grade plastic, they nevertheless look and feel just as high quality and durable as OWC’s offerings.

Test Method / Setup

As is traditional for me when I review an SSD, I kept a traditional hard drive in my test setup by removing my optical drive & using an optical drive HDD caddy (in this case OWC’s Data Doubler) for my 1TB HDD, which I use to store my iTunes library and other data that doesn’t depend on transfer speed.

I installed the OCZ Vertex 3 in the main hard drive bay in my MacBook Pro, mainly because the primary SATA bay often has more reliable SATA 3 performance. Installing the SSD was a snap, and I was up and going in no time. I installed a base install of Mac OS X Lion on the drive, and installed only the applications I use for my various tests (Photoshop, Handbrake, etc).

To perform the benchmarks, I utilized multiple methods – first, so-called “common” benchmarks in which I used OS X to transfer files and time-test booting, video conversion and app loading scenarios. I then used a number of formal benchmark utilities, including DigLloydTools and BlackMagic Disk Speed Test (Free, App Store Link). All formal benchmarks were conducted on a second empty partition of the SSD apart from the main boot partition.

Benchmarks

– Common Benchmarks

I began my testing using common benchmarks. These involved a Photoshop CS5 launch test, a system boot test using a fresh install of Lion, and a video conversion using HandBrake. In the CS5 launch test, I timed how long it takes the machine to fully boot a fresh install of Adobe Photoshop CS5.

With the Vertex 3 installed, I was able to fully boot Photoshop CS5 in just 1.4 seconds, shaving a fraction of a second off the times I measured using OWC’s Mercury Extreme Pro 6G. The system boot test, in which I timed how long it took to launch a fresh install of OS X Lion from my MacBook Pro’s powered off state (with automatic log-in enabled), I was able to boot to the desktop and launch all startup services in 7.8 seconds, down slightly from the 9 seconds I achieved with the Extreme Pro 6G.

It is relevant, however, that the Extreme Pro 6G was tested using OS X Snow Leopard rather than OS X Lion. Next up was a video conversion test. In this test, I used HandBrake to convert the same MKV video file to MP4 as I did in my prior reviews, and was able to achieve a speed of 11 minutes & 6 seconds, as compared to 12 minutes (using the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G.)

– Formal Benchmarks

The formal benchmark tests also provided interesting results. Using DigLloydTools’ DiskTester app via command line, I achieved fairly impressive speeds of up to 535MB/Sec read speeds and 512MB/S write speeds (compared to 530MB/Sec max read & 509MB/Sec max write speeds with the Extreme Pro 6G).

Next, using BlackMagic’s DiskSpeedTest to perform a speed analysis, I was able to achieve max write speeds of 511.6MB/Sec and max read speeds of 534.3, similar to the results I achieved using DiskTester.

Real World Performance

In everyday use, I admittedly noticed very little difference between the OCZ Vertex 3 and the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G, although there were times that I noticed that the Vertex 3 felt a bit snappier, particularly when loading large programs or transferring files from one partition on the drive to another. Both drives performed particularly well, and while the Vertex 3 was a bit snappier in certain instances, the actual real-world performance difference between these two drives was largely negligible.

Assessment

While the real-world experience of using the Vertex 3 wasn’t vastly superior to that of using the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G, the Vertex 3 did benchmark faster, and did feel somewhat snappier in real-world usage in certain instances.

The construction of the Vertex 3 isn’t as heavy, lacking the milled aluminum shell of the Extreme Pro 6G, but the drive nevertheless felt sturdy and well-built, and considering that the drive isn’t likely to be subjected to physical stress, it’s not a remarkably relevant factor.

The pricing and warranty is where the main difference lies. The Mercury Extreme Pro 6G in a 240GB capacity has a retail price of $519.99, and comes with an industry-leading 5 year warranty. The Vertex 3, on the other hand, retails for $479.99 and includes a 3 year standard warranty.

Also of note is that OWC’s more budget-conscious Electra 6G drive in a 240GB capacity has a retail cost of 479.99, the same as the Vertex 3, and offering the same 3 year warranty. For the same dollar amount, the OCZ Vertex 3 offers significantly better performance than the Electra 6G for the same money.

The Difference

In comparison to a traditional hard drive, SSD’s really do offer a tremendous boost in both speed and performance. The hard drive is usually the performance bottleneck in both machines, and with an SSD, you’re increasing its ability to move data by leaps and bounds. Booting a Mac under a fresh install of OS X took 47 seconds using a traditional 7200RPM hard drive.

With the OCZ Vertex 3, I was able to completely boot in just 7.8 seconds. Loading Photoshop CS5, which once took 12 seconds, was completed in a mere 1.4 seconds. Converting a standard movie from MKV to MP4 using Handbrake went from 34 minutes using a standard hard drive to just 11 minutes & 6 seconds using the Vertex 3.

Make no mistake about it – installing an SSD in your Mac will provide a serious boost in performance, which makes sense considering that a traditional 7200RPM hard drive can operate at a max of around 105MB/Sec, whereas a SATA 2 SSD can operate at up to around 300MB/Sec, and the fastest SATA 3 SSD’s can operate at 550GB/s, nearly maxing out the 600GB/s maximum speed of SATA 3.

Verdict

In the long run, considering the differences in performance, price, and available warranty, it’s difficult to say which is the better buy. If a longer warranty is worth the extra $40, and the slightly lesser performance won’t make a significant difference to you, the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G may be the way to go.

All things considered, I regard it to be the best consumer value of the 3 drives, although those that really desire a 5-year warranty may opt for the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G.

Rating & Information

Rating: 5/5[rating:5]

Considering the OCZ Vertex 3’s impressive real-world performance, benchmark results (The Vertex 3 is the fastest drive I have ever tested), solid value for the money, and overall high quality, I award the OCZ Vertex 3 a 4.5 out of 5. It meets every advertised expectation, performs exceptionally well, and provides a solid value for the money. I was a bit disappointed at its lack of a metal casing, however.

I consider the OCZ Vertex 3 to be the overall best consumer SSD that I have tested, and likely one of the very best drives on the market, and for that, I give it my highest recommendation. The Vertex 3 is a solid product that will serve any consumer well, and provide a much-desired speed boost over a traditional hard drive.

For more information on the Vertex 3, or to find a list of authorized retailers that offer OCZ drives, visit OCZ’s product page on the web. The cheapest listing I could find for the drive from an authorized retailer was $439.99 from Newegg.com. (Update: Now only $199)

OCZ Vertex 3 Solid State Drives unleash the performance potential of the SATA 6Gbps interface, leading the speed revolution in this next-generation solution. As the first SSD to feature the latest Sandforce controller design, OCZ designed the Vertex 3 to push the limits in both sequential and random read/write rates to blaze past the competition when every MB/s matters. With incredible 4k file writes up to 85,000 IOPS, these latest drives take productivity, gaming, and multimedia applications to the next level to work in perfect symmetry with the latest enthusiast platforms.

Built with the quality, reliability, and durability that lives up to the OCZ name, the Vertex 3 Series easily integrates into today's mobile and desktop platforms and features TRIM support to optimize performance over the drive's lifespan as the ultimate Windows 7 companion. Vertex 3 SSDs are available in 60GB to 480GB capacities and come backed by a 3-Year Warranty.

Features and Specifications

Ocz Vertex 3 For Macs

• Delivers up to 550 MB/s and 85,000 IOPS
• Interface: SATA 6Gbps / Backwards Compatible 3Gbps
• Boot time reduction for 'instant-on' experience
• Included 3.5' Desktop adapter bracket
• Advanced technology to maximize endurance
• SandForce® 2281 Controller
• Seek Time as low as 0.1ms
• TRIM Support

• Manufacturers 3 Year Factory Limited Warranty

• Max Read: up to 535MB/s
• Max Write: up to 480MB/s
• Random Write 4KB: 60,000 IOPS
• Maximum 4K Random Write: 80,000 IOPS

• Max Read: up to 550MB/s
• Max Write: up to 500MB/s
• Random Write 4KB: 60,000 IOPS
• Maximum 4K Random Write: 85,000 IOPS

• Max Read: up to 550MB/s
• Max Write: up to 520MB/s
• Random Write 4KB: 60,000 IOPS
• Maximum 4K Random Write: 85,000 IOPS

• Max Read: up to 530MB/s
• Max Write: up to 450MB/s
• Random Write 4KB: 40,000 IOPS
• Maximum 4K Random Write: 40,000 IOPS

• Usable Capacities (IDEMA): 60GB, 90GB, 120GB, 240GB, 480GB
• NAND Components: 2Xnm Asynchronous Multi-Level Cell (MLC)
• Interface SATA III / 6Gbps (Backwards compatible with SATA II / 3Gbps, but optimized for SATA 6Gbps)
• Form Factor: 2.5 Inch
• NAND Controller: Controller SandForce® 2281
• Dimensions: 99.8 x 69.63 x 9.3 mm (L x W x H)
• Weight: 77g

Ocz Vertex 3 For Macbook Pro

• MTBF: 2 million hours
• ECC Recovery: Up to 55 bits correctable per 512-byte sector (BCH) (varies depending on exact configuration)
• Product Health Monitoring: Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.)

Ocz Vertex 3 For Mac Os

• Power Consumption: Idle: 1.65 W Active: 3.0 W
• Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 70°C
• Ambient Temperature: 0 ~ 55°C
• Storage Temperature: -45 ~ 85°C
• Shock Resistance: 1500G
• Certifications: RoHS, CE, FCC

• Operating Systems: Windows 7, Vista, XP 32-bit/64-bit, Mac OSX
• Power Requirements: Standard SATA Power Connector
• RAID Support

Ocz Vertex 3 For Macbook Air

• Performance Optimization: TRIM (requires OS support)
• System Integration: Bundled with 3.5' desktop adapter bracket
• Service & Support 3-Year Warranty, Toll-Free Tech Support, 24 Hour Forum Support

Support

Datasheet

OCZ Vertex 3 SSD Series - 3rd Generation

* The advertised memory capacity of this device may represent unformatted capacity. Please note that once formatted and due to variations in flash module block limitations, the functional storage space will be lower than the advertised capacity. IDEMA capacities are considered more accurate.