SSD: A Closer Look

Sysmark 2007

Not everyone ever has the chance to use Sysmark 2007 benchmarking software from Bapco. The Rp 7 million+ software is based on a set of real-world applications commonly used by computer users, either at home or at the office. Sysmark runs the entire software suite to measure the overall system performance in each application. The software included are as follows:

• Adobe® After Effects® 7
• Adobe® Illustrator® CS2
• Adobe® Photoshop® CS2
• AutoDesk® 3ds Max® 8
• Macromedia® Flash 8
• Microsoft® Excel 2003
• Microsoft® Outlook 2003
• Microsoft® PowerPoint 2003
• Microsoft® Word 2003
• Microsoft® Project 2003
• Microsoft® Windows Media™ Encoder 9 series
• Sony® Vegas 7
• SketchUp 5
• WinZip® 10.0

Sysmark 2007 test runs are divided into four different categories:

• E-Learning: consists of applications commonly used in an educational facility to create online contents. The online contents themselves are rich in pictures, videos, and audio. Applications in this category include Microsoft PowerPoint 2003, Adobe Photoshop CS2, Adobe Flash 8, and Adobe Illustrator CS2.
• Video Creation: This category executes a batch file to construct a video, complete with special effects and pictures from various sources. The content is designed for high-quality picture download and online streaming. Applications in this category are Windows Media Encoder 9.0, Adobe After Effects 6.5, Sony Vegas 6, Adobe Photoshop CS2, and Adobe Illustrator CS2.
• Office Productivity: Data analysis model processed with commonly used office applications. Communication, data processing, project management, and file manipulations are employed in this scenario. Applications include Microsoft Excel 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, WinZip 10, Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Project 2003, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003.
• 3D Modeling: Rather than testing 3D performance in games, this scenario instead focuses on the development of an architecture presentation for a building project. The applications used are Google SketchUp and 3D Studio Max.

That’s it for the explanation. Let us see the results.

The above graph shows the average performance of SSDs which is well beyond that of the more conventional hard disk. Highest results were achieved using RAID setups. However, not every SSD yielded a better result in RAID mode.

This particular test shows no significant difference in performance. If you are into online content creation, seems like the ordinary hard disk will suffice.

When it comes to video editing, the SSD can show some real teeth. In RAID mode, the performance gets even better. One exception though, ADATA S592 clearly needs a firmware update because RAID mode gives it a performance decrease, rather than an increase.

In this scenario, all of the SSDs left the hard disk far behind. A delightful fact for those who intend to use SSDs in office applications.

The 3D modeling also received some benefits from SSD, though the results here are nothing too extra ordinary.