OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 main BOOT ?

[nightwoodwolf]

Hey Guys,


I am building new rig mainly for 3D Animation / Rendering / Composting ( 2x E5-2687w on Asus Z9PE-D8 WS mobo ) and i am interested in buying the OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 PCI-Express SSD 240GB to use it as my BOOT SSD

I've always used the normals SSDs not the PICs ones, If there are any owners of that OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 PCIe, please can you share if there are any problems using it as BOOT device ? also from reading about it i know it does support TRIM with this version.



Thanks in advanced

J

[Christopher]

The way I understand it, the R3x2 supports TRIM and the SCSI UNMAP command, but not with Windows 7. So yes and no, support could be coming with Windows 8.

There was a decent review of it recently at TechReport: http://techreport.com/articles.x/22663

But if you're just needing a boot drive, perhaps you should consider a SATA III solution. The R3x2 is using IMFT asynchronous NAND, so it does struggle when reads and writes are incompressible. There is a MaxIOPS version using Toshiba Toggle NAND (which has much better read and write performance), but they do have a bigger price premium attached. If you're needing the drive for a specific rendering/application need, then it could be worth considering. If you just need it to boot Windows and launch applications, there are other options.

[nightwoodwolf]

The way I understand it, the R3x2 supports TRIM and the SCSI UNMAP command, but not with Windows 7. So yes and no, support could be coming with Windows 8.

There was a decent review of it recently at TechReport: http://techreport.com/articles.x/22663

But if you're just needing a boot drive, perhaps you should consider a SATA III solution. The R3x2 is using IMFT asynchronous NAND, so it does struggle when reads and writes are incompressible. There is a MaxIOPS version using Toshiba Toggle NAND (which has much better read and write performance), but they do have a bigger price premium attached. If you're needing the drive for a specific rendering/application need, then it could be worth considering. If you just need it to boot Windows and launch applications, there are other options.

thanks for yoru reply mate ... yep, i'd say giving boost for 3D applications performance is my first priority, however thought it might be good to use it for OS boot as well

its gonna be mainly used for writing finished sequence of animated frames while rendering, and of course the renderer will load (read) massive files into memory for processing, i'd like to get the best read/write of the SSD

cheers

[Ao1]

If you value your data don’t touch the Revo drive (or any other OCZ product for that matter). It doesn’t take much research to establish that OCZ products have unacceptable failure rates and compatibility issues.

[Christopher]

In that case, you may want two SATA III drives in R0. I was thinking the animation/rendering output was going to a HDD array. You'd get better speeds with the Toglle NAND version, and much better speeds with two fast drives in R0 (2x256GBs would be less expensive than 1 R3x2 240GB) and neither will have TRIM. But two 256GB drives Over provisioned should hold up quite well over time.

[nightwoodwolf]

If you value your data don’t touch the Revo drive (or any other OCZ product for that matter). It doesn’t take much research to establish that OCZ products have unacceptable failure rates and compatibility issues.

ironically i was just reading about the BSOD and the SF issues ...

In that case, you may want two SATA III drives in R0. I was thinking the animation/rendering output was going to a HDD array. You'd get better speeds with the Toglle NAND version, and much better speeds with two fast drives in R0 (2x256GBs would be less expensive than 1 R3x2 240GB) and neither will have TRIM. But two 256GB drives Over provisioned should hold up quite well over time.

you are right, at work we have massive clusters of storage arrays and render farms which no individual person can afford, however i am trying to create something small here for my freelance work so i guess maybe i should invest more time researching how would 2xSSDs in RAID 0 would preform ( yes haven't done raid ), I've always used single SSDs maybe RAID can give them extra kick

[Christopher]

Would a faster storage system reduce the time to complete a project? If so, then a pair of relatively cheap, fast, and spacious SATA III drives in R0 would be the way to go.

Here is AMDFreak's two Plextor M3P 256GB drives in RAID 0 --


From the Plextor thread here on XS. This is a good example of what you want if your workload is write heavy and composed of incompressible/random data.

[nightwoodwolf]

Would a faster storage system reduce the time to complete a project? If so, then a pair of relatively cheap, fast, and spacious SATA III drives in R0 would be the way to go.

Here is AMDFreak's two Plextor M3P 256GB drives in RAID 0 --


From the Plextor thread here on XS. This is a good example of what you want if your workload is write heavy and composed of incompressible/random data.

3d world always hungry for computer power ( meaning CPUs/RAMs/Storage) faster write and read could add extra kick in rendering so yeah for thousands+ frames it makes huge difference, anyways

the image above showing some great results, that only with SSDs .. hmmm and it looks like there is a difference between Marvell & Intel controller

thanks for that mate

[Christopher]

What are you using now for storage?

[nightwoodwolf]

It's not for my current build, it is for my new build, I ordered The processors, mobo, rams, and video card only so far
Havent decided which SDD yet, I guess I might go with 2x intel SSDs

[HWaddict]

A question: With what setting does your motherboard support a Revodrive?

I have a ASUS Z8PE-D12X without the right support and I had to return the Revodrive (with full refund of course).
The workstation is fast enough for my needs but the only HDD are a weak spot, I may try a standard SSD with SATA instead.

[fr0wn3r]

2 x Samsung 830 256 GB drives (or similar performance drives) with a nice RAID card would cost around the same, depending on local prices and they should give you as much performance regardless of type of load if not more... X2 was on my wishlist but then I read a lot of disappointing reviews regarding it's consistency in terms of throughput especially in long term. Also, like others mentioned reliability is shabby and TRIM support is there but not there...

Not an expert in RAID arrays but since you really need it for a work, not buying this stuff out of pure enthusiasm I would think twice and take the safe side.

[nightwoodwolf]

A question: With what setting does your motherboard support a Revodrive?

I have a ASUS Z8PE-D12X without the right support and I had to return the Revodrive (with full refund of course).
The workstation is fast enough for my needs but the only HDD are a weak spot, I may try a standard SSD with SATA instead.

as i mentioned i haven't got the OCZ one, that's why i started the thread asking about the reliability of the card before buying it

2 x Samsung 830 256 GB drives (or similar performance drives) with a nice RAID card would cost around the same, depending on local prices and they should give you as much performance regardless of type of load if not more... X2 was on my wishlist but then I read a lot of disappointing reviews regarding it's consistency in terms of throughput especially in long term. Also, like others mentioned reliability is shabby and TRIM support is there but not there...

Not an expert in RAID arrays but since you really need it for a work, not buying this stuff out of pure enthusiasm I would think twice and take the safe side.

totally agree, actually i decided to go with 2 SSDs instead to be on the safe side, and it looks like some guys been able to get impressive results with SSDs in RAID, now i'm looking at the Intel SSD 520 Series (180GB, 2.5in SATA 6Gb/s, 25nm, MLC) still reading tho and checking other SSDs options and how they perform in RAID , but defiantly going with 2 SSDs in RAID now

[AMD_Freak]

3d world always hungry for computer power ( meaning CPUs/RAMs/Storage) faster write and read could add extra kick in rendering so yeah for thousands+ frames it makes huge difference, anyways

the image above showing some great results, that only with SSDs .. hmmm and it looks like there is a difference between Marvell & Intel controller

thanks for that mate

Big difference in Marvell and other controllers as far as the SSD I highly recommend a marvell

[nightwoodwolf]

Big difference in Marvell and other controllers as far as the SSD I highly recommend a marvell

thanks for the advice, so Marvell is the way to go ! ... some threads suggested intel but i guess not for RAID,

ok this is silly question but does RAID support TRIM ?

[Christopher]

no, it does not. not yet, anyway.

[AMD_Freak]

thanks for the advice, so Marvell is the way to go ! ... some threads suggested intel but i guess not for RAID,

ok this is silly question but does RAID support TRIM ?

Marvell SSD controller and SATA III Intel/raid/AHCI

[nightwoodwolf]

Marvell SSD controller and SATA III Intel/raid/AHCI

ironic ... well im a bit confused which one to buy ( i've always liked C300 i own the 256GB ) but now there are faster ones ... now i was so close to order these Intel ones and put them together in RAID 0, however some review says Intel uses SF Controller !!? which i heard there are heeps of problems with it !! check the review at the button of the spec list of the SSDs

Intel SSD 180GB 520 Series, 2.5" SATA III 6Gb/s, 25nm, MLC, read/write speed 550/520MB/s, random writes up to 80,000 IOPS, 5 year warranty, retail box.

Capacity: 180GB
Read performance with random writes up to 80,000 IOPS
Components: Intel NAND Flash Memory Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Technology
Form Factor, 2.5 inch SATA III Interface,
Sequential Read - 550MB/s, Sequential Write - 520MB/s,
Latency - Read - 65 µs, Latency - Write - 80 µs,
Lithography - 25 nm
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) - 1,200,000 Hours
2.5" -> 3.5" SSD adapter with screws
5 year warranty

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5508/i...y-to-sandforce

[nightwoodwolf]

another review about the intel SSD

http://www.storagereview.com/intel_ssd_520_review

[Ao1]

Intel spent a lot of time validating the SF controller and fixing bugs. By and large there are no major issues with it and it is a very fast drive, although performance is of course linked to the compressibility of data.

I use Google SketchUp and when I render it’s the CPU that is maxed out not the storage system. Literally 8 cores maxed out to 100% for hours on end.

If you do need throughput with non compressible data the Samsung 830 is a great option.

[nightwoodwolf]

Intel spent a lot of time validating the SF controller and fixing bugs. By and large there are no major issues with it and it is a very fast drive, although performance is of course linked to the compressibility of data.

I use Google SketchUp and when I render it’s the CPU that is maxed out not the storage system. Literally 8 cores maxed out to 100% for hours on end.

If you do need throughput with non compressible data the Samsung 830 is a great option.

i agree on maxing CPU while rendering and lighting, to me thats not it,i do want to write sequence of animation as fast as i can while rendering, also ZBrush would run better on SSD since the bloody limitation of 32bit ( 4G only ) and while enabling TRIM ( Talked to Pixologic and ZB 64bit coming soon )

add to the fact when you build such a system and spend $$$$ then you wouldn't add slow HDD cause of $500 on the SSDs specially if you use it for freelancing

Samsung 830 they use their own controllers right ?

[Ao1]

i agree on maxing CPU while rendering and lighting, to me thats not it,i do want to write sequence of animation as fast as i can while rendering, also ZBrush would run better on SSD since the bloody limitation of 32bit ( 4G only ) and while enabling TRIM ( Talked to Pixologic and ZB 64bit coming soon )

add to the fact when you build such a system and spend $$$$ then you wouldn't add slow HDD cause of $500 on the SSDs specially if you use it for freelancing

Samsung 830 they use their own controllers right ?

Yes, Samsung provide the whole package. The sustained throughput of the drive phenomenal. Check out the endurance thread if you have time. It’s writing at ~300MB/s and has chalked up 1,354.88 TiB in 58 days.

Here’s a shot of my CPU’s maxed out….

[Anvil]

nightwoodwolf,

How much throughput can you make use of?

I find the C300 256GB to be on level with most drives today, on top of that it's 34nm NAND.

I still use C300s in all my daily work, some in raid and some as single drives.
At home I do a bit of experimenting and the C300s are a part of that too.
The longest living array I've got at home is a 2R0 C300 256GB, next is a 2R0 using SF 240GB drives. (Vertex 3, could just as well have been Intel 520s)

If I had to make the move from the C300s I'm not sure what I would end up with, Samsung 830, Crucial m4, something SF-2281 based like the 520 or something based on the upcoming Marvell controller.

(I am evaluating what to do next and I'm not sure, might wait for the Crucial m5 or whatever it'll be named, I'm in no hurry though as the C300s are doing great)

[nightwoodwolf]

nightwoodwolf,

How much throughput can you make use of?

I find the C300 256GB to be on level with most drives today, on top of that it's 34nm NAND.

I still use C300s in all my daily work, some in raid and some as single drives.
At home I do a bit of experimenting and the C300s are a part of that too.
The longest living array I've got at home is a 2R0 C300 256GB, next is a 2R0 using SF 240GB drives. (Vertex 3, could just as well have been Intel 520s)

If I had to make the move from the C300s I'm not sure what I would end up with, Samsung 830, Crucial m4, something SF-2281 based like the 520 or something based on the upcoming Marvell controller.

(I am evaluating what to do next and I'm not sure, might wait for the Crucial m5 or whatever it'll be named, I'm in no hurry though as the C300s are doing great)

exactly what i am thinking, i love my C300 256, however with this new build i need 2 SSDs and i am kindda like what you said evaluating what to do next i am not pretty sure .... go SF or wait for the next Marvell controller or get the Intel ones i listed above ( they are SF ) and RAID them

trust me, that's what i've been researching online the last couple of days before placing my order, which i need to do it at least next week

[Evantaur]

If you value your data don’t touch the Revo drive (or any other OCZ product for that matter). It doesn’t take much research to establish that OCZ products have unacceptable failure rates and compatibility issues.

revodrives makes a good cupholders tho, not a single drop of coffe on my table!