RevoDrive X2

The RevoDrive X2 is a successor to the original RevoDrive. It’s PCI-Express SSD from OCZ that uses the less expensive MLC (multi-level cell) type of NAND flash. As such it is targeted at client workstations and performance enthusiasts. By using the PCI Express interface, the limitations of the SATA interface is not an issue. The drives can deliver an impressive 740MB/s sequential read speeds, making them the fastest MLC PCIe drives at this writing. In addition, they improve on the 75,000 IOPS (random 4k) in the first-generation RevoDrive and brings it up to 120,000 IOPS.

This feat is accomplished by utilizing four SandForce controllers, working in an internal RAID setup (the original RevoDrive came with two SandForce controllers. OCZ’s RevoDrive X2 is available in capacities ranging from 100GB to 960GB, and can be uses as a boot drives.

There are slight differences in performance between the different capacities. The 110-160GB drives can read and write data at up to 740MB/s and 690MB/s respectively, the 220GB drive reads/writes at up to 730MB/s and 690MB/s. These three capacities have a cap at 100,000 IOPS in 4k random writes.

For the 260GB to 960GB capacities (except the 480GB drive), the number are 740MB/s read and 720MB/s write. The 460GB RevoDrive X2 is an outlier in that it reads/writes at up to 730MB/s and 700MB/s respectively. All of the capacities from 260GB and above are capable of 120,000 IOPS in random 4k writes (aligned).

Capacities and Part Numbers:

Specifications:

• Sequential Read: 540MB/s (see above)
• Sequential Write: 480MB/s (see above)
• Interface: PCI Express x4
• NAND Type: MLC
• Controller: SandForce (dual)
• Form Factor: PCIe
• DRAM Cache: N/A
• Power Consumption (active): 8W
• Power Consumption (idle): 3W
• TRIM Support: N/A
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours

Manufacturer’s product page

Pricing and Availability:

[pcu id=7]

Reviews:

HotHardware

It’s not often we’re completely and thoroughly impressed with a product, as we are with OCZ’s new RevoDrive X2.  And honestly, we didn’t expect the product to do as well as it did in our battery of benchmark runs.

Tom’s Hardware

If you’re a typical desktop user, OCZ’s RevoDrive X2 is like an AR-15 rifle in California. It’s cool to own, but it’s expensive and you can’t really use it the way it was designed to be used.