OCZ RevoDrive X2 240GB PCIE SSD Review

OCZ RevoDrive X2 240GB PCIE SSD

It seems like only yesterday that we first got our hands on OCZ’s original RevoDrive which ultimately earned the Legit Reviews Innovation Award. Its RAID-0, dual SandForce controlled SSD goodness outpaced nearly every other drive we had tested. Along comes the second generation, dubbed the RevoDrive X2 and we were giddy with geek fueled excitement to see just how well it performed. I’ll spoil it now and sum it up in one word – WOW.

Featuring four(!) of the lovable SandForce SF-1200 controllers in a RAID-0 configuration, the RevoDrive X2 doubles up on the original RevoDrive using the same x4 PCI-E interface. Available in 100GB to 960GB capacities, the largest drive also doubles what the original RevoDrive offers. The drive we received is of the 240GB variety, which currently retailing for a hair under $640. Obviously, at that price this isn’t going to be a card for the masses but enthusiasts with a few extra bucks will be drawn to it like moths to flame.

The box design is exactly the same except for the X2 designator on the box and the “R” logo is what you’ll see on the center of the card.

The back of the box shows the model and capacity of the drive inside, along with some brief specifications. The full list of specifications from OCZ are below.

OCZ RevoDrive X2 Specifications and Features

• Available in 100GB to 960GB (1TB) capacities
• PCI-Express interface (x4)
• For use as primary boot drive or data storage
• 4 x SATA
• Internal RAID 0
• 181.07 (L) x 21.59 (W) x 125.08mm (H)
• Shock Resistance: 1500g
• Seek Time: 0.1 ms
• Operating Temp: 0C ~ +70C
• Storage Temp: -45C ~ +85C
• Power Consumption: 3W Idle, 8W active
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours
• 3-Year Warranty
• Compatible with Windows XP 32/64, Vista 32/64, Windows 7 32/64
• List of Available Part Numbers

• 100GB – OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0100
• 160GB – OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0160
• 240GB – OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0240
• 360GB – OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0360
• 480GB – OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0480
• 960GB – OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0960

100GB-160GB Max Performance	240GB-960GB Max Performance
Read: Up to 740 MB/s	Read: Up to 740 MB/s
Write: Up to 690 MB/s	Write: Up to 720 MB/s
Sustained Write: Up to 550 MB/s	Sustained Write: Up to 600 MB/s
Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 100,000 IOPS	Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 120,000 IOPS

The actual drive comes packaged more like a video card than an SSD and as well it should, since it’s just another PCI-E device like a video card.

Included in the box, in addition to the drive, is a guide booklet and a boastful (yet accurate) sticker which we have seen similar in other drive packaging.

At first glance, the two cards look identical but if you look closer, you’ll see the drive at the top has screws in the PCB holes which hold the second tier PCB in place above the right half of the main card. The top card is the X2 while the lower is the original RevoDrive. Read on for more detailed pictures and descriptions.