Review-OCZ RevoDrive 3: SandForce 2 SSD on PCI Express

The first RevoDrive and its successor, the RevoDrive X2, wowed our reviewers with their outstanding performance. Both these models were based on the original SandForce controller. Now, OCZ brings us a newer, faster PCI-Express SSD drive armed with the second-generation SandForce chip.

OCZ sent us a 240 GB sample of RevoDrive 3. As seen here, it looks very much like its predecessor, with flash memory chip lined up on one side of the PCB right next to a pair of controller chips, each managing a cluster of flash memories.

As with its predecessor, the RevoDrive 3 has a PCI-Express x4 connector. The NAND flash memory chips are installed on both sides of the PCB. There are 12 chips on each side of RevoDrive 3. This isn’t an “X2” version, so it doesn’t come with a sister board that contains additional memory chips.

In the above picture, you can see the new SandForce SF-2281 controller chip. It provides TRIM capability on this SSD to restore its performance after data erase operation. Garbage collection feature is also available. OCZ uses Micron’s M2501064T048AX21 flash memory chips.

Before moving on to the performance test, let us first examine the RevoDrive 3 and its bundled accessories!

Sales Package and Contents

RevoDrive 3’s sales package is relatively modest. Only few items can be found inside the box, as you can see below:

Aside from the SSD itself, you will find a manual book and a CD containing utilities for the RevoDrive 3.