OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid PCI-E SSD Review

Manufacturer: OCZ Technology Group, Inc.
Product Name: RevoDrive Hybrid PCI-E SSD
Model Number: RVDHY-FH-1T
Price: $499.99 at Newegg

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by OCZ.

That moment when solid state drive technology can offer the high capacity of large hard disk counterparts is nearly here. OCZ Technology, a pioneer in the SSD market, combines their experience with both SATA and PCI-Express SSDs to offer the OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid SSD. Based on OCZ Virtualized Controller Architecture technology, RevoDrive Hybrid uses Dataplex caching software to pair a 100GB SandForce SF-2281 SSD to a 1TB 7200RPM hard drive. The results are surprising: a bootable PCI-Express device with the speed of a solid state drive and the storage capacity of a hard disk drive. Join Benchmark Reviews as we test the OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid PCI-E SSD RVDHY-FH-1T.

Benchmark Reviews has previously tested the SandForce-driven OCZ RevoDrive, OCZ RevoDrive X2, and OCZ RevoDrive3 X2, all of which are PCI-Express storage solutions. We've also tested the Seagate Momentus-XT Solid State Hybrid Drive, a SATA-based hard disk drive with a built-in SSD cache. The OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid is a combination of both product lines, designed to use the caching of an SSD to read and write data onto a much larger hard disk drive. While the Seagate Momentus XT was a great idea in concept, it never really delivered the ideal blend of speed and capacity. OCZ's RevoDrive Hybrid uses a PCI-Express SuperScale storage controller to produce up to 120,000 random write IOPS with transfers up to 910 MB/s.

Solid State Drive storage began as a technology best suited for durable computer devices, then slowly evolved into the notebook and desktop space with affordable high-speed SATA-based SSD solutions. Once SSDs became mainstream for power users, the demand for high-performance workstations and servers soon followed. Most personal computers are capable of offering 3.0 GB/s bandwidth via second-generation SATA controllers, which is fast enough for conventional power-users. The latest generation of desktop motherboards incorporate third-generation SATA controllers good for up to 6.0 GB/s bandwidth, ideal for hardware enthusiasts. For high-performance professional workstations, PCI-Express is an ideal alternative because it delivers 5.0 GB/s bandwidth without any add-on chips or upgrades.

RevoDrive Hybrid Features

Source: OCZ Technology

OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid is the next step in the evolution of storage technology for power users, multimedia designers and game enthusiasts. The PCIe-based RevoDrive Hybrid not only eliminates the SATA bottleneck to unleash groundbreaking bandwidth and landmark IOPS performance, but it also includes a high-capacity hard disk drive and intelligent software that integrates SSD and HDD into a single high-performance and high-capacity storage solution. The OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid comes bundled with intelligent caching software that dynamically manages the use of the SSD with the 1TBHDD for superior overall storage performance. The most frequently/recently used "hot" data stays on the ultra-fast SSD while "cold" data remains on the slower but larger capacity disk. Advanced caching algorithms learn user behavior and adapt storage policies to ensure optimal performance for each individual user. Welcome to the next generation storage from OCZ Technology.

• Capacity: 1TB
• Dedicated Cache: 100GB
• Interface: PCI-Express Gen. 2 x4
• Form factor: Full height
• Read: Up to 910 MB/s
• Write: Up to 810 MB/s
• Max Random Write 4KB: 120,000 IOPS
• Average Write: 65,000 IOPS
• Part Number: 1TB: RVDHY-FH-1T
• OCZ SuperScale Storage Controller
• Virtualized Controller Architecture 2.0
• Included Caching Software Key
• ECC, Encryption
• SMART monitoring
• 167.64 (L) x 98.42 (W) x 22.15mm (H)
• Weight: 289g
• Operating Temp: 5°C ~ 50°C
• Storage Temp: 0°C ~ 60°C
• Power Consumption: 8.1W idle, 10W active
• MTBF: 600,000 hours
• 3-Year Warranty
• Compatible with Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit

Bandwidth Speed vs Operational Performance

As we've explained in our SSD Benchmark Tests: SATA IDE vs AHCI Mode guide, Solid State Drive performance revolves around two dynamics: bandwidth speed (MB/s) and operational performance (IOPS). These two metrics work together, but one is more important than the other. Consider this analogy: operational IOPS performance determines how much cargo a ship can transport in one voyage, and the bandwidth speed is how fast the ship moves. By understanding this and applying it to SSD storage, there is a clear importance set on each variable depending on the task at hand.

For casual users, especially those with laptop or desktop computers that have been upgraded to use an SSD, the naturally quick response time is enough to automatically improve the user experience. Bandwidth speed is important, but only to the extent that operational performance meets the minimum needs of the system. If an SSD has a very high bandwidth speed but a low operational performance, it will take longer to load applications and boot the computer into Windows than if the SSD offered a higher IOPS performance.

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