TRIM Performance:
While SSDs offer many benefits, there are some downsides to using flash memory. One of the biggest issues people run into is performance degradation. Over time, an SSD will run out of fresh blocks and will have to write over data the file system has marked as deleted. This procedure is very complicated and can slow an SSD's write speeds considerably.
To address this problem, most manufacturers have added TRIM support to their SSDs. The TRIM command allows an operating system, such as Windows 7, to tell an SSD which data blocks are no longer in use. Using this information, the drive proactively erases these blocks and adds them to the free block pool.
To test the HyperX 3K's TRIM function, I first put the drive in a "dirty" state. I used Iometer to fill the entire drive and then ran a random write test for 20 minutes. Looking at the screenshot below, you can see that the HyperX 3K's average read and write speeds dropped to 182.9 MB/s and 197.0 MB/s, respectively.
Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB- Dirty
To see how well the HyperX 3K could recover, I let the computer sit for a few hours and then reran the test. The drive's average read speed jumped back up to 305.8 MB/s. However, its write speed lagged a bit behind, averaging out at 241.9 MB/s.
Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB - After Trim
Lastly, I used OCZ's Toolbox utility (yes, it works) to perform a secure erase on the HyperX 3K. With the drive wiped clean, its average write speed jumped back up to 374.0 MB/s.
Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB - Wiped
Final Thoughts:
If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, Kingston's new HyperX 3K SSD just might be it. This new solid state drive combines premium 3,000 P/E cycle synchronous NAND with LSI's SandForce SF-2281 controller to deliver impressive performance at a price that budget-minded gamers and enthusiasts will appreciate. Like the original HyperX SSD, the HyperX 3K performed very well in our sequential read and write tests. The drive was able to read at speeds as high as 556 MB/s and write at speeds in excess of 488 MB/s. It also took the top spot in our random write tests, producing more than 81,000 IOPS. Impressive performance isn't the only thing the HyperX 3K has to offer either. Along with a good looking, well constructed design, the SSD is available as a standalone drive or as part of a kit that includes everything you need to upgrade your computer.
The HyperX 3K is available now in 90GB, 120GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities. Prices on Amazon.com currently range from about $100 up to $700, with the 240GB upgrade kit reviewed here going for about $290.
Highs:
- Available in 90GB, 120GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities
- SandForce SF-2281 processor with DuraClass, DuraWrite and RAISE technologies
- Excellent sequential read and write speeds
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- Synchronous 3000 P/E cycle NAND flash
- Supports SMART, TRIM and Garbage Collection
- Available as stand-alone drive or as part of an upgrade kit
- Good looking and well constructed design
- Reasonably priced
- 3 year warranty
Lows:
- Not as fast when writing incompressible data
