FC-Test Results

Website: FC-Test

Our FC-Test benchmark is split into three parts. First is a write test involving the creation of a file pattern similar to common files such as MP3s or large video files. Once created on the drive, we then copy the file pattern from the drive back to a different folder on the same drive producing a combined read/write test. Finally we test the read speed of the drive by performing FC-Test's read test on the files copied.

For our benchmarks, we're using both the MP3 pattern, consisting of two hundred and seventy small files totalling 0.99GB, and the the ISO pattern, consisting of three large files totalling 1.6GB in size. We feel these represent the most common files people will be frequently copying to and from an drive, and can be interpreted as as close to a real world file transfer test as possible.


Following the mild improvements we've seen in the theoretcial test of HD-Tach, we were pleased to see that real world write speed had also marginally increased, with the v1571 equipped Torqx taking 0.3 of a second off the write time of G.Skill Falcon. While it's not an earth shattering improvement, it's certainly not bad for what equates to a free firmware update.


Simultaneous read/write speed is similarly marginally improved, with the Torqx copying our 0.99GB MP3 file pattern in a fraction under six seconds. While this is still wickedly quick, the Samsung based Corsair P256 is a comfortable 0.7 seconds faster.


Again, the latest firmware brings minor improvements to read speed as well, allowing the Torqx to pip the OCZ Vertex and Falcon (both tested using v1370/v1.1 firmware) and snatch the top spot. It's important to remember though that a similarly updated OCZ Vertex or G.Skill Falcon will be just as fast.