MyDigitalSSD 128GB mSATA SuperCache 2 Caching SSD Review

ATTO DISK BENCHMARK VER 2.46

ATTO Disk Benchmark has been around as long or longer than most any other storage performance benchmark.  ATTO uses RAW (or compressible) data, and for today’s benchmarking tests we will use a set length of 256MB.  We will be testing both the read and write performance of various transfer sizes ranging from 0.5KB to 8192KB.  This is the testing method preferred by most manufacturers, as it tests with RAW (compressible) data, rather than random (including incompressible) data.  Although random and incompressible data may be a more realistic usage scenario, testing with it will give lower performance results.

SSD only ATTO

At transfer sizes of 256KB and larger, the MyDigitalSSD SuperCache 2 begins to hit its performance peaks.  The read speeds plateau at 544-545 MB/s.  The write speeds peak in the 331-334 MB/s range.  The write speeds are unimpressive, but the read speeds are certainly competitive.

CRYSTAL DISK BENCHMARK VER 3.0X64

Crystal Disk Benchmark is used to test read and write performance through sampling of raw (0/1 fill / compressible) data, or random data that is mostly incompressible.  The left screenshot displays the compressible (0 fill) results, and the right screenshot displays incompressible (random data) results.

SSD only Crystal DiskMark 0-fillSSD only Crystal DiskMark random

As we saw with ATTO, the read speeds are competitive, but the write speeds are rather lackluster.  With the incompressible tests, the write speeds fall off significantly.

AS SSD BENCHMARK VER 1.7

AS SSD was until recently the only benchmark created specifically for SSD testing, and it used incompressible data.  For the most part, AS SSD shows us “worst case scenario” SSD transfer speeds because of its use of incompressible data.  Enthusiasts often prefer AS SSD for this reason, as they seek to see minimum performance as well as maximum performance.  Transfer speeds in MB/s are shown in the left screenshot, IOPS in the right screenshot.

SSD only AS SSD MBsSSD only AS SSD IOPS

SSD only AS SSD copybench

With AS SSD being the “worst case scenario” performance, we see even the sequential write speeds drop well below 100 MB/s.  In the copybench test, program and game files came in at nearly double the copy time of ISO files.

ANVIL STORAGE UTILITIES PROFESSIONAL

Anvil Storage Utilities is an absolutely amazing SSD benchmarking utility.  Not only does it have a pre-set SSD benchmark, but also includes such things as endurance testing and threaded I/O read/write/mixed tests, all of which are very simple to understand and utilize for benchmark testing.

SSD only Anvil Storage

Anvil provides some great information about system and SSD identification.  Echoing our other benchmarks, Anvil shows weaker-than-average write speeds and IOPS, and a correspondingly mediocre total score.

PCMARK VANTAGE X64 HDD SUITE

The SSD Review uses benchmark software called PCMark Vantage x64 HDD Suite to create testing scenarios that might be used in the typical user experience. There are eight tests in all and the tests performed record the speed of data movement in MB/s to which they are then given a numerical score after all of the tests are complete. The simulations are as follows:

  • Windows Defender In Use
  • Streaming Data from storage in games such as Alan Wake which allows for massive worlds and riveting non-stop action
  • Importing digital photos into Windows Photo Gallery
  • Starting the Vista Operating System
  • Home Video editing with Movie Maker which can be very time consuming
  • Media Center which can handle video recording, time shifting and streaming from Windows media center to an extender such as XBox
  • Cataloging a music library
  • Starting application

SSD only PCMark Vantage

With a score of 44238, the MyDigitalSSD SuperCache 2 mSATA SSD lags a little behind other current 128GB mSATA SSDs.

10 comments

  1. blank

    To see gains in write performance you must enable Maximized mode by un-checking the Enhanced Mode Button. We have told Fnet to please make it so there are options there instead of just un-checking enhanced mode. It will run at full SSD glory if you un-check that button. The reason there is no advantage in write performance while in enhanced mode is because it is actually writing to the HDD. You will see a huge difference in performance after un-checking that box.

    Hope you can update your review. Also SC2 drives can be used as boot drives for more experienced users.

    MyDigitalSSD

    • blank

      The copy of the HybriDisk software supplied by MyDigitalSSD had the “enhanced mode” checked by default, and it could not be unchecked by the user. We re-downloaded it from the link on the product page and same result.
      MyDigitalSSD is more than welcome to supply an updated version of the software
      that allows the user to uncheck the “enhanced mode”
      and we will be more than happy to re-benchmark it.
      We also need to bear in mind that with caching solutions, the tradeoff of disabling enhanced mode can be a lower level of data protection in the event of a power interruption.

  2. blank

    Also I don’t know what low density SSD you have available in your arsenal but I am pretty sure that the SC2 puts most low density SSD’s to shame both read and write in sustained and 4k. When you go down to the 64GB, 32GB, and 24GB most other SSD’s are in fact slower than an HDD. The Phison S9 controller is the only controller I know of that can deliver real SSD performance at low densities. The 128GB SC2 is the only example in the line slower than a 2.5″ counterpart while the other densities are in reality the only good option on the market for low density SSD..

    MyDigitalSSD

  3. blank

    And one more thing the whole point of this cache drive is to give people with mSATA ports the option of keeping their large spinner for storage while getting SSD speeds vs. their HDD. Both as a cache drive and boot drive. It is not meant to be the next fastest SSD in the world which for the average user doesn’t mean squat because they will definitely be able to tell the difference in speed vs an HDD but could not tell the difference in regular use between this SSD and the fastest SATA SSD around.

    MyDigitalSSD

  4. blank

    I am ordering today to try with my new Clevo W230st – will report once it gets here

  5. blank

    Could you please post a link to Amazon for that “SATA III TO MSATA ADAPTER” ?

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