Continuing our SSD product ranking, after the 120 GB SATA3 SSD category, we tested 240 GB SATA 3 SSD products.

This article is part of a series of tests performed by DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce. We tested 42 models of 2.5-inch SSD in our 2012 SSD ranking, covering standard SSD as well as performance SSD used in work stations and high-end notebooks.

The following chart provides information on the 120 GB class SATA 3 SSD products tested, mainly 128GB SSDs:

AS SSD Benchmark 1.6.4013.39530

This program is a good evaluator of SSD performance under different uses. Our tests were run several times, and the average was taken as the result.

Most products used SandForce controller chips. The performance depends on the performance and class of the Flash chip as well as the firmware writing and adjustment. Some products presented remarkable performance.

Among the 13 products tested, one SuperSSpeed product used expensive SLC Flash chip while all the rest used MLC chip.

SuperSSpeed took the lead in the test with its fairly priced SLC Flash product. In light of MLC Flash chips, interestingly, Consair’s SSD with Marvell M4 controller chip ranked first in comprehensive performance, followed by OCZ VERTEX3 VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G, BIWIN Elite S836 120GB, ADATA SX900 ASX900S3-128GM-C, tigo SSD sata3 PRO 128GB、Apotop SSD S3A 120GB.

However, the M4 product didn’t perform as well as other leading SSDs in write, though its read performance was excellent.

HD Tune Pro 5

The HD Tune Pro 5 is a commonly used test. Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD1, Wintec D4 W2SS120G1TA-D41MA2-BS1.A1, CORSAIR FORCE GT CSSD-F120GBGT-BK, SuperSSpeed SHY-SF21120G3-GF25S, Transcend TS128GSSD720, CORSAIR FORCE CSSD-F120GB3A came out on top in terms of average read performance.

CORSAIR FORCE GT CSSD-F120GBGT-BK, SuperSSpeed SHY-SF21120G3-GF25S, CORSAIR FORCE CSSD-F120GB3A, BIWIN Elite S836 120GB, OCZ VERTEX3 VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G, tigo SSD sata3 PRO 128GB were leading in terms of average write performance.
 
IOMeter

The IOMeter test measures SSD response time when reading and writing large amounts of data. The results will differ based on controller chip performance, design, and environment, as well as the NAND flash chip used. The same controller chip paired with different NAND flash chips, or even a different firmware, will result in varied performance.

However, during normal use, reading and writing such high volumes of data is uncommon. Even if such circumstances do occur, it typically only lasts for a short period of time, so this test serves better as a reference.

The leaders were OCZ VERTEX3 VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G, SuperSSpeed SHY-SF21120G3-GF25S, CORSAIR FORCE GT CSSD-F120GBGT-BK, ADATA SX900 ASX900S3-128GM-C, Transcend TS128GSSD720, tigo SSD sata3 PRO 128GB.

Best SATA3 120GB SLC SSD

SuperSSpeed SHY-SF21120G3-GF25S

Best SATA 3 120 GB MLC SSD

OCZ VERTEX3 VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G
BIWIN Elite S836 120GB
ADATA SX900 ASX900S3-128GM-C
Patriot Wildfire 120GB SATA3
Tigo SSD sata3 PRO 128GB
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD

Best Price-Performance Ratio for SATA 3 120 GB SSD

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD1