The Toshiba OCZ VX500 (256GB, 512GB, 1024GB) SSD Review
by Billy Tallis on September 13, 2016 9:00 AM ESTRandom Read Performance
The random read test requests 4kB blocks and tests queue depths ranging from 1 to 32. The queue depth is doubled every three minutes, for a total test duration of 18 minutes. The test spans the entire drive, which is filled before the test starts. The primary score we report is an average of performances at queue depths 1, 2 and 4, as client usage typically consists mostly of low queue depth operations.
The random read speed of the VX500 is significantly slower than the Vector 180, to the point that some planar TLC SSDs are slightly faster, but it is still ahead of the Trion 150.
Power consumption during random reads is low enough that the VX500 maintains approximately the same load efficiency of the Vector 180 despite the speed disadvanatge.
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The VX500's performance scales well with queue depth but doesn't quite hit the level the Samsung 850 EVO and a few other drives top out at.
Random Write Performance
The random write test writes 4kB blocks and tests queue depths ranging from 1 to 32. The queue depth is doubled every three minutes, for a total test duration of 18 minutes. The test is limited to a 16GB portion of the drive, and the drive is empty save for the 16GB test file. The primary score we report is an average of performances at queue depths 1, 2 and 4, as client usage typically consists mostly of low queue depth operations.
While the Vector 180 dominated the hour-long random write consistency test, it is only average on this shorter test of lower queue depths. The VX500 falls behind, but is still in the typical range for MLC SSDs.
Power consumption of the VX500 is once again quite low, representing a significant improvement in efficiency over the Vector 180 and a good overall efficiency score.
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The VX500 random write performance plateaus at queue depth 4 instead of continuing toward high peak numbers, but this hardly matters for typical client workloads. The 256GB model also begins its transition from burst performance toward steady state before the test is complete and begins to stutter:
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zodiacsoulmate - Monday, September 19, 2016 - link
I like their RMA... but their Vector series is such a disaster i have to RMA my drive 3 times, and they finally give me a Vector150 which has been solid... SMART reading is getting a lot worse these days, i'm using it sololy for caching now... I have their Vertex 3 and Vertex 4, those drives are quite better than the first gen Vector drives...shabby - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
Will you be reviewing the intel 600p and samsung pm961(960 evo) any time soon?Ryan Smith - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
Yes, we have the 600p in-house. So you will be seeing it soon.bug77 - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
Looks like a pretty pointless product to me. Then again, maybe it's only meant to tick a few checkboxes so that it can be sold to OEMs.ocztaec - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link
Hi bug77,Thank you for your feedback. We believe that there is still a market for mainstream SATA with MLC. For users that are not quite ready for NVMe VX500 will provide the long term reliability/endurance they need. Our 5 year Advanced Warranty service helps ensure mainstream users have peace of mind should there be any issues. Thank you again for your input.
Arbie - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
For at least six months we've had the Mushkin Reactor 1TB drive for $230. How is this OCZ worth $340 today?BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
It's nice to see MLC SSDs still out there, but I'm not sure the VX500 is really worth the MSRP. They're asking a lot for their 1TB model. I think the price increase isn't worth the benefits MLC offers over the plethora of much cheaper TLC drives.kfleszar - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
I wish Intel 540s was included among the compared SSDs.DanNeely - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
Am I missing it, or are these not in Bench yet?Billy Tallis - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - link
They're in Bench, I just forgot to uncheck to box that keeps them hidden. We can't set the to automatically go public when the review embargo expires.