Our testing methods
We've put together an all-new test platform for this latest SSD round-up. The most important changes here are the move to Intel's latest ICH10R south bridge chip and Windows Vista x64 with Service Pack 2.
You'll notice on the following pages that we've tested the Summit in two configurations. The first uses the 1801 firmware revision and is representative of what's on store shelves today. We've also tested with the newer 18C1 firmware revision, which Samsung should be shipping to customers now.
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 2.66GHz |
| System bus | 1066MHz (266MHz quad-pumped) |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte EP45-DS3R |
| Bios revision | F10 |
| North bridge | Intel P45 Express |
| South bridge | Intel ICH10R |
| Chipset drivers |
Chipset 9.0.0.1008 AHCI/RAID 8.8.0.1009 |
| Memory size | 4GB (2 DIMMs) |
| Memory type | OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum Edition at 800MHz |
| CAS latency (CL) | 5 |
| RAS to CAS delay (tRCD) | 4 |
| RAS precharge (tRP) | 4 |
| Cycle time (tRAS) | 15 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC889A with 2.24 drivers |
| Graphics | Gigabyte GeForce 8600 GT 256MB with ForceWare 185.85 drivers |
| Hard drives |
Intel X25-M 80GB with 8820 firmware OCZ Summit with 1801 and 18C1 firmware OCZ Vertex 120GB with 1370 firmware |
| OS | Windows Vista Ultimate x64 |
| OS updates | Service Pack 2 |
Our test system was powered by an OCZ GameXStream power supply unit.
We used the following versions of our test applications:
- WorldBench 6 Beta 2
- Intel IOMeter v2006.07.27
- Xbit Labs File Copy Test v0.3
- HD Tach v3.01
- Far Cry 2 v1.3
- Call of Duty 4 v1.4
The test systems' Windows desktop was set at 1280x1024 in 32-bit color at an 85Hz screen refresh rate. Vertical refresh sync (vsync) was disabled for all tests.
All the tests and methods we employed are publicly available and reproducible. If you have questions about our methods, hit our forums to talk with us about them.
