Vertex 4 Firmware 1.5

Cosimo

Cosimo

Cosimo

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Improvements since version 1.4.1.3:

Enhancements:

•Optimized idle garbage collection algorithms to extend the benefits of performance mode by enabling the feature across a greater percentage of the drive
•Improved HBA / RAID card compatibility
•Further improved compatibility with desktop and mobile ATA security features

Fixes:

•Corrected a corner case issue where the ‘Remaining Life’ SMART attribute could be reported incorrectly
Click to expand...
http://www.ocztechnology.com/ssd_tools/OCZ_Vertex_4_and_Agility_4/

Bootable tools:

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/f...NEW!-Bootable-Linux-based-tools-for-OCZ-SSD-s
 
Indeed it has...

My new Vertex 4 arrived this morning (128GB) and just setting it up and testing it now.

Came with firmware version 1.3 though. So a two stage process for me to update it to 1.5

First AS SSD benchmark wasn't that impressive on 4K-64 read/write on MS drivers, so installed RST 10.5 and now looking better. Though 4k writes look a little down on what some people have got.

Currently testing drive as a secondary (so empty), then secure erase and shall attempt to restore my boot drive to it via Acronis True Image 2012 (should be fun).

The drive replaces (or will I hope) a vertex 2E that I've used for about 18 months now (trouble free). Not expecting a big (or possibly even noticeable difference). But the Vertex 2E can be moved down my HD stack and can replace an ageing Vraptor. Really just an excuse to purchase new kit if I'm honest with myself.

SSDASbenchmarkvertex4.jpg


PS. Be interested to know across what percentage of the drive "performance mode" is now!?!? I think it was only 50% before.

EDIT: Boot drive (previously Vertex 2E) cloned (restored from Acronis 2012 backup) onto Vertex 4 and all appears to have gone smoothly (so far). Partition alignment kept correctly (something folks keep asking about) and system dare I say, appears slightly more "snappy", or could just be a case of "Emperor's new clothes!). Happy so far. Just need to save up and get a 256GB for my games and I'll be completely SSD (accept for external mech. HD for backup). Ran ATTO again (after Secure Erase and system clone) and speeds fractionally down compared to an empty drive (only to be expected I suppose with drive some 50% full now) though still looking good.
 
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Hi, the OP stated the fixes for the Agility series, these are the release notes for the Vertex:

Improvements since version 1.4.1.3:

Enhancements:

Improved sequential file transfer performance for 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models

Optimized idle garbage collection algorithms to extend the benefits of performance
mode by enabling the feature across a greater percentage of the drive

Improved HBA / RAID card compatibility

Further improved compatibility with desktop and mobile ATA security features
reported incorrectly
 
Why is ocuk vertex 4 is fastest than mine ? I can see on the left side that ocuk use msahci while mine on the right side is iaStorA ? What is the difference between msahci and iaStorA ? :confused:



Vertex 4 are suppose to get 560MB/s read and 510MB/s write but mine only get 522MB/s read and 512MB/s write (poor read speed) ? Why is Vertex 3 is much better than Vertex 4 ? Confused really.

VERTEX 4 256GB

VERTEX 3 120GB
 
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You got your hard disk controller in raid? If you only got the one ssd, should have installed os on it with hard disk controller set to ahci in bios. Still quick though.
 
No two sets of benchmarks will be exactly the same, not even for the same person!

So much depends on what platform you are running it on (IE. motherboard/chipset), what AHCI drivers you are using, what's running in the background at the time (NB. you obviously have no control over Windows activities at running at the time), is it on an empty drive, how many times have you run these sorts of tests! and numerous other factors. For example, some of the best results I've seen over on the OCZ forum, are from people running motherboards with Z77 chipsets with the version 11 AHCI drivers.

As to what AHCI drivers are best. It's pretty much a "suck it and see" job. The Intel RST drivers are not necessarily the best (EG. the Microsoft / W7 stock AHCI drivers work best for my Vertex 2 drives, but the Vertex 4's run slightly better with RST 10.8).

And as to the Vertex 3 being better than the Vertex 4. You need to look a little further than the sequential read/write performance really to judge the "best" drive.

Here's mine:

SSDATTObenchmarkVertex4256gbrst108.jpg


Though this is pretty much smack on re- OCZ's performance figures. Should point out that this was run on an empty drive that had not yet been used.

If I was to run it now, after several months use, the figures would almost certainly be slightly down on this. Though in reality, this will not make the slightest difference in how this drive feels in day-to-day use.
 
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Help I've tried 2xZ77 boards, new cables, all set to achi mode and connected to sata 3 yet this is best I can get. Have I got a duff SDD or is it me ?



AS SSD Benchmark 1.6.4237.30508
------------------------------
Name: OCZ-VERTEX4
Firmware: 1.5
Controller: iaStor
Offset: 1024 K - OK
Size: 119.24 GB
Date: 30/10/2012 14:27:35
------------------------------
Sequential:
------------------------------
Read: 315.43 MB/s
Write: 235.72 MB/s
------------------------------
4K:
------------------------------
Read: 20.38 MB/s
Write: 111.95 MB/s
------------------------------
4K-64Threads:
------------------------------
Read: 218.99 MB/s
Write: 243.99 MB/s
------------------------------
Access Times:
------------------------------
Read: 0.176 ms
Write: 0.045 ms
------------------------------
Score:
------------------------------
Read: 271
Write: 380
Total: 792
------------------------------
 
My vertex 4 SSD is rubbish worse than Vertex 3 (I try all drivers, and still the same. I think it blame on Z77 board for very poor on solid state)

Did you change anything in bios setting to get solid state speed on best performance ?

Not happy with below 500MB/s.





Are my drivers are correct show below ?



 
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It cant be that bad if you scored over 1000 on that other benchmark.

Is the SATA controller set to AHCI?
 
stulid said:
I....
Going back to an earlier Firmware if you can?
Click to expand...

No disrespect intended... but should not really be needed, version 1.5 has been out a while now and looks to be pretty reliable / stable.

My suggestion would be:
1) Secure Erase the drive. OCZ have a standalone Linux based bootable disk / toolset to allow you to do this, or via their Toolbox utility (SSD would need to be attached as a secondary drive to do it this way).
2) Re-flash drive with 1.5 firmware. Paying particular attention to the comment that comes with the firmware 1.5 FAQ
IE. Shutdown and restart the system.
NB. This definitely means SHUTDOWN your PC (IE. cut power to the drive) and not just RESTART your PC. This has caused a number of people problems / issues (though not from what I can se, like yours).

Then see how the land lies.
 
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dave_beast said:
Try running Prime95 or SuperPi32m at the same time as the SSD benchmark, i've got over 1100 points on my 128gb Vertex4 using that method.
Click to expand...

A good suggestion. But I would have thought this is more likely to improve the 4k read/write scores, than the sequential read/write.
 
bulldog147 said:
... I think it blame on Z77 board for very poor on solid state) ...
Click to expand...

As I commented earlier. Some of the best test results that I've seen on the OCZ forum have been on Z77 boards running Intel RST version 11 AHCI drivers. So I'd be pretty dubious that it's a motherboard / chipset issue.

Obvious question I know. But are your motherboard / chipset / BIOS drivers etc. up-to-date?
 
mearle73 said:
Help I've tried 2xZ77 boards, new cables, all set to achi mode and connected to sata 3 yet this is best I can get. Have I got a duff SDD or is it me ?
...
Click to expand...

All figures besides the sequential read /write look believable to me.

A couple of questions:

1) You say it's connected to a sata 3 port. Just checking here, but I'm assuming it's an Intel one and not say a Marvel controller?
2) Is this drive being tested empty? and if not, how full is it. As if the drive is over 50% full, it may have entered "storage mode", rather than "performance mode" and will need time to recover ... especially if you've been running a number of speed tests one after the other, with little or no time for the drive to recover from being hit with a HUGE amount of data in one go.
3) Have your results looked similar right from the start, or have they deteriorated over time?

I am very tempted to suggest the same to you, that I did to bulldog147.
IE. Secure Erase, re-flash 1.5 and then re-test drive in factory fresh state once and once only and then post results (initially use ATTO as this is what OCZ use to derive the performance figures that they quote).

EDIT. For anyone that's not aware that this drive can operate in two difference performance modes. Here's a quote from AnandTech....

With the 1.4 firmware OCZ introduced a two operating mode structure for most capacities of the Vertex 4. As long as less than 50% of the drive is in use, the Vertex 4 will operate in a performance mode - delivering better sequential performance. Once you hit the 50% mark, the drive switches to its standard performance mode (similar to the max performance pre-1.4 firmware).

This mode switching is mostly transparent to the end user with one exception. When you cross the 50% threshold, the Vertex 4 has to reorganize all pages on the drive. During this reorganization performance is impacted. The entire process should only take a matter of minutes, and it only happens once, but it's worth keeping in mind.
 
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Hi,thanks for the reply it is on Intel controller 6Gb/s,its got 89 gig spare of 119,but ever since Ive had it the figures have been poor,when I posted the 315.43 MB/s that's the fastest score Ive ever had with it Ill have a go per your suggestion and wipe it,many thanks
 
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