Final Thoughts:
OCZ has really hit the mark with their Synapse Series SSDs. Instead of having to choose between the performance of an SSD and the capacity of a traditional hard drive, this innovative caching solution gives users the best of both worlds. The integrated Dataplex software runs in the background, using advanced caching algorithms to learn user behavior and store frequently accessed files on the SSD. As you saw in our tests, the results are nothing short of impressive. The Synapse Cache increased our test system's sequential read and write speeds by more than 300 MB/s which resulted in greatly reduced boot times as well as a 9-fold improvement in benchmarks like PCMark Vantage.
That being said, the Synapse Cache does have its limitations. The Dataplex software is compatible only with Windows 7 and, unless configured as a RAID array, will not cache data from multiple hard drives. Furthermore, the target drive must also be the primary boot drive and have a capacity of 2TB or less. The Synapse Cache was also notably slower when reading and writing randomly generated data. I'm not sure if this is due to the drive's SandForce controller and asynchronous NAND or the Dataplex software's caching algorithms, but if you work with a lot of random data, a high performance SSD from OCZ's Vertex 3 or Octane series may be a better choice.
The Synapse Cache is available now in 64GB and 128GB capacities. The 64GB version reviewed here is ideal for home or office users and currently goes for about $137 on Amazon.com. Gamers and enthusiasts looking to squeeze a little more performance out of their existing system may want to consider the 128GB Synapse Cache, which can be picked up for less than $222 through the retailers on Pricegrabber.
Highs:
- Provides SSD-level performance without sacrificing capacity
- Includes NVELO's Dataplex cache software
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- Supports TRIM, SMART and NCQ
- Includes a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter bracket
- Easy to install
- 3 year warranty
- Reasonably priced
Lows:
- Dataplex software only works with Windows 7
- Does not support hard drives larger than 2TB (yet)
- Not as fast when reading and writing randomly generated data
