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OCZ upgrades Vertex 4 to Firmware 1.4

Published on 8th May 2012 by Gareth Halfacree

OCZ's new firmware for the Vertex 4 SSD family doubles the sequential write performance of the smaller capacity models.

OCZ has announced the release of Vertex 4 Firmware 1.4 for its eponymous range of solid-sate drives (SSDs,) which greatly improves sequential write performance for the smaller capacity drives in the range.

According to OCZ's internal testing, sequential write speeds for the 128GB Vertex 4 are boosted from 200MB/s to 420MB/s by the new firmware, while read speeds get a smaller jump from 535MB/s to 550MB/s. The 256GB model, meanwhile, goes from 380MB/s sequential write to 465MB/s with the same read performance as its smaller brother.

Sadly, those who splashed out on the top-end 512GB Vertex 4 will be disappointed by the news that the new firmware has little to offer them: sequential write performance is unchanged at 475MB/s, while read speed gets the same minor boost to 550MB/s as the two smaller models.

'OCZ strives to deliver new features and superior performance with our premium Vertex 4 solid state drives by continuing to enhance our firmware and making those improvements available to all our valued customers,' claimed OCZ chief executive Ryan Petersen of the release. 'With firmware v1.4, OCZ continues to fulfil its promise of delivering the most innovative, and highest performing SSDs on the market, regardless of file and data type, I/O workload, queue depth, and drive capacity.'

The performance gains from the new firmware come, OCZ claims, as a result of proprietary algorithms designed to 'orchestrate the sequence of physical NAND programming operations to ensure that each NAND device is optimally utilised at all times.' In addition, the new firmware brings improved performance for hosts with no support for Native Command Queueing (NCQ) and on workloads with lower queue depths.

Finally, OCZ has confirmed that shipments of Firmware 1.4 drives will be heading to shops in the coming weeks along with a 64GB Vertex 4 model designed for those who can't quite stretch to the asking price of the 128GB version.

The new firmware can be downloaded from the OCZ website. As with OCZ's other firmware updates, the upgrade is only available from Windows and while the SSD is connected as a non-boot device. It's also a destructive update, so be sure to back up your data before proceeding with the upgrade.

12 Comments

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steve30x 8th May 2012, 13:02

Thats 400MB/s faster than my two HDD's in raid 0 lol

mclean007 8th May 2012, 13:42

Impressive figures. The question is, is it enough to justify the price jump over a Crucial M4 (e.g. for the 128GB models, the Vertex 4 is £118 on Scan vs the M4 at £88)? Come on Bit-Tech - give us a hardware buyer's guide so we can see what you think!

r3loaded 8th May 2012, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclean007
Impressive figures. The question is, is it enough to justify the price jump over a Crucial M4 (e.g. for the 128GB models, the Vertex 4 is £118 on Scan vs the M4 at £88)? Come on Bit-Tech - give us a hardware buyer's guide so we can see what you think!

You can compare their performance with AnandTech's incredibly detailed benchmarks. As for whether it's worth the price, that's your call.

Bazz 8th May 2012, 17:43

Currently I have a Vertex 2 100GB which is still quick.
Looking at upgrading, the Vertex 4 is looking like a good deal now.
Never really been comfortable with the Crucial SSD's, OCZ still produce good products.

John_T 8th May 2012, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3loaded

You can compare their performance with AnandTech's incredibly detailed benchmarks. As for whether it's worth the price, that's your call.

That is a brilliant tool which I was completely unaware of - thanks for sharing!

ffjason 8th May 2012, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazz
Currently I have a Vertex 2 100GB which is still quick.
Looking at upgrading, the Vertex 4 is looking like a good deal now.
Never really been comfortable with the Crucial SSD's, OCZ still produce good products.

On the other hand the Crucial firmware updates aren't destructive.... so I know which I prefer :)

Showerhead 8th May 2012, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazz
Currently I have a Vertex 2 100GB which is still quick.
Looking at upgrading, the Vertex 4 is looking like a good deal now.
Never really been comfortable with the Crucial SSD's, OCZ still produce good products.

Really from the forums i frequent it's OCZ drives that have most of the problems as well as bigger problems RMA'ing the things.

Whindog 9th May 2012, 03:28

We do have a hardware guide......

The latest version of it is form sep 2011.

Must say im disappointed with the direction this site is going. No podcasts, no buyers guids, and maybe one article a week worth reading.

My how things change in 12 months. :'(

mclean007 9th May 2012, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3loaded
Quote:
Originally Posted by mclean007
Impressive figures. The question is, is it enough to justify the price jump over a Crucial M4 (e.g. for the 128GB models, the Vertex 4 is £118 on Scan vs the M4 at £88)? Come on Bit-Tech - give us a hardware buyer's guide so we can see what you think!
You can compare their performance with AnandTech's incredibly detailed benchmarks. As for whether it's worth the price, that's your call.

Oh that is useful, thanks. But it doesn't include the 128GB Vertex 4, and it doesn't appear to reflect the firmware update.

Taniniver 9th May 2012, 15:22

It will take some time for them to update with the new firmware, on account of the incredibly long and detailed benchmarks they do :)

If the new figures are borne out by testing though this will make the drive a real killer - the fairly weak sequential write performance was about it's only flaw.

Gradius 9th May 2012, 22:41

My humble SSD:
http://i47.tinypic.com/2ivnw2t.jpg

kenco_uk 29th May 2012, 17:10

Even after updating the firmware to 1.4, the 128GB model I have disappears/hangs when trying to install Win7 on it. RMA time.. I wonder if I can go to the retailer and swap it for an M4? ;)