The Vertex 3.20, shrinking down to 20nm

Subject: Storage | April 4, 2013 - 07:22 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: 20nm, ocz, vertex 3.20, synchronous flash, SandForce SF-2281

There is very little change between the original Vertex 3 and the new Vertex 3.20, as the controller remains as an SF-2281 and the rated speeds match, the only real difference is in the new 20nm NAND.  In a way [H]ard|OCP was disappointed that OCZ did not reduce the size of the Vertex to fit in mobile devices as the new NAND is very power efficient and would be welcomed more by mobile users than desktop users.  As far as performance per dollar it is still the Samsung 840 which remains on top but OCZ has a solid contender.

"OCZ releases the Vertex 3.20 240GB SSD as part of the continued restructuring of its product lines. With 20nm NAND and a LSI SandForce SF-2281 controller the Vertex 3.20 SSD is geared for budget conscious buyers, and today we test it with the other top value-oriented SSDs."

Here are some more Storage reviews from around the web:

Storage

• Intel 525 Series mSATA SSD Review: Five Capacities Tested @ Tweaktown
• Hardware.Info tests lifespan of Samsung SSD 840 250GB TLC SSD
• SanDisk Ultra Plus 256GB @ [H]ard|OCP
• KingSpec E3000S Challenger SSD Review - EMLC Endurance and LSI SandForce Performance @ SSD Review
• Upgrading the SSD in your Apple MacBook Air with OWC's 480GB Aura Pro Solid State Drive @ Tweaktown
• Corsair Neutron 240 GB vs. OCZ Agility 4 256 GB SSD Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Intel 525 SSD mSATA Solid State Drive @ Benchmark Reviews
• RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10 and RAID 5: how do they actually work? @ Hardware.info
• The future of Serial ATA: SATA Express, NGFF and NVM Express @ Hardware.info
• Seagate Constellation ES.3 4TB Hard Drive Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Seagate's Laptop Thin SSHD 500GB hybrid drive @ The Tech Report
• Seagate 500GB SSHD Thin Hybrid Drive Review @ Legit Reviews
• HGST Touro Mobile Pro 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive Review @ NikKTech
• ADATA DashDrive Elite HE720 External Hard Drive @ Tweaktown
• Patriot Memory EP Series 64GB SDXC UHS-I Memory Card @ Tweaktown
• HighPoint RocketStor 5322 eSATA 6Gb/s Drive Dock Review @ Custom PC Review
• HGST Touro Mobile Pro 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive Review @ NikKTech
• QNAP TS-569 Pro @ techPowerUp
• EonNAS 850X NAS Network Storage Server @ Benchmark Reviews

The thirteenth labour of Hercules; save OCZ

Subject: General Tech | March 14, 2013 - 01:37 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ocz, Hercules Technology Growth Capital

OCZ has just received $30 million and a new credit line from Hercules Technology Growth Capital, separating their future from Wells Fargo who have been displaying a distinct lack of faith in OCZ.  The April 8th deadline for OCZ to file reports on their last two quarters still stands and Hercules has tied that submission into the loans being offered by requiring up to date SEC filings from OCZ.  Hercules has a warrant to purchase 688,073 OCZ shares at $2.18 a piece which is $0.08 more than market worth and demonstrates that Hercules has some faith in OCZ's ability to remain viable.  Check out the full terms and conditions at The Register.

"Obtaining this new credit facility is the first step in providing OCZ with a complete capital structure going forward. This capital will be used to strengthen the business, fund future growth, and support emerging enterprise opportunities."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Tech Talk

• AMD explains Radeon HD numbering scheme @ The Inquirer
• TSMC to tape out Apple A7 processor in March, say sources @ DigiTimes
• Samsung's Exynos Octa chip has a PowerVR SGX544 GPU @ The Inquirer
• Disk drive kingpin WD whips out wallet for upstart Skyera @ The Register
• The problem with Windows convertible tablets @ The Tech Report
• How to Optimize a MySQL Server @ Hardware Secrets
• Unigine Heaven 4.0 Benchmark Tool Walk Through @ OCC
• Twitter Global Weekly Giveaway - Corsair Hydro Series H90 and H110 CPU Liquid Coolers @ Tweaktown

OCZ Technology to Showcase Next-Generation Enterprise Storage Solutions at CeBIT 2013

Subject: Storage, Shows and Expos | February 25, 2013 - 02:12 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ocz, ssd, PCIe SSD, CeBIT 2013, ZD-XL Accelerator

SAN JOSE, CA—February 25, 2013—OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCZ), a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced that it will preview a variety of enterprise storage solutions at next week’s CeBIT 2013 conference in Hannover, Germany. As a renowned global forum, CeBIT represents a great opportunity for attendees to be the first to see and experience the latest innovations in solid-state storage from an industry leader in enterprise SSDs, virtualization, and caching software. OCZ offers a complete suite of storage solutions that address VMware, Linux, and SQL Server platforms, and invites IT decision-makers who are evaluating or implementing solid-state storage in the data center to visit the Company’s exhibit in Hall 2, Stand E43, from March 5th through 9th.

OCZ will unveil the next-generation ZD-XL SQL Accelerator, a culmination of enterprise hardware and software converging as one tightly integrated and optimized solution. The ZD-XL Accelerator addresses SQL Server database applications to not only ensure that the data for this implementation is right, relevant, and readily available on SSD flash when the SQL Server needs it, but also that the data is accessed with the highest possible I/O performance. For simple deployment and ease of use, this tightly integrated, optimized solution features ‘implementation wizards’ to guide DBAs so they can optimally manage data cached to the flash. While showcasing the ZD-XL solution OCZ will invite enterprise customers to become beta testers for this exciting solution.

Also included in OCZ’s exhibition at CeBIT will be demonstrations to preview the upcoming VXL 1.3 Virtualization Software and LXL Acceleration Software with OCZ’s innovative Direct Pass Caching Technology, which not only addresses VMware but is also optimized for Linux applications. OCZ is one of the few SSD providers with a robust portfolio of virtualization and caching software that combine the power of flash acceleration with the power of storage virtualization. This enables multiple virtual server loads to run concurrently on a single physical host, not only increasing CPU and memory resource utilization, but also simplifying deployment, high availability (HA), and maintenance of the server loads.

The next-generation of workstation PCI Express (PCIe)-based SSDs will also be available soon as part of the Company’s award-winning Vector Series. These drives reside directly on the PCIe bus and will support four PCIe Gen2 lanes providing lower latency to data, faster file transfers and system boot-ups, expanded storage capacities, and an even quicker, more responsive experience over the already blazingly fast SATA 3.0-based Vector Series. The Vector PCIe Series will feature an advanced suite of flash management tools that deliver enhanced drive endurance and data, making it ideally suited for power computing, content creation, and workstation applications.

OCZ Technology Delivers Vertex 3 with 20 Nanometer Flash

Subject: Storage | February 19, 2013 - 02:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ocz, vertex 3, 20nm, mlc

SAN JOSE, CA—February 19, 2012—OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCZ), a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced a new 20 nanometer (nm) NAND flash version of its award-winning Vertex 3 SSD Series. The new Vertex 3.20 SSD is a 2.5-inch, 6Gbps SATA III-based Multi-Level Cell (MLC) drive that implements the feature-set of the Vertex 3 Series but is built around smaller, state-of-the-art NAND flash process geometry.

Being that the Vertex 3 Series is one of OCZ’s most popular SSDs to date, and has received numerous accolades from media reviewers globally, the implementation of 20nm NAND flash will extend its availability and enable mainstream users of mobile and desktop platforms to improve gaming, multimedia, and the overall computing experience over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and other competing SSDs. The Vertex 3.20 SSD will be available in 120GB and 240GB storage capacities, with 480GB capacities to follow soon.

Utilizing the proven and effective LSI SandForce® SF-2200 processor, the Vertex 3.20 SSD delivers exceptional performance of synchronous 20nm NAND flash supporting read bandwidth up to 550MB/s, write bandwidth up to 520MB/s, random read performance up to 35,000 input/output operations per second (IOPS), and random write performance up to 65,000 IOPS. It is also optimized to provide excellent endurance and reliability coupled with power efficiency.

“OCZ is always looking for ways to deliver superior solid state drive storage performance and features, as well as making this technology more accessible to the complete range of customers,” said Daryl Lang, Senior Vice President of Product Management for OCZ Technology. “The Vertex 3 has been a popular SSD series among consumers and implementing the newer, smaller process geometry will not only extend its life, but enables mainstream users with an excellent computing experience at a competitive price point.”

The Vertex 3.20 SSD is supported by a 3-year warranty to ensure customer satisfaction and will be available shortly through OCZ’s global channel in 120GB and 240GB storage capacities.

Revisit the Vector, it is worth it

Subject: Storage | February 15, 2013 - 04:26 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: vector, ssd, sata, ocz, mlc, Indilinx Barefoot

Just in case you forgot how impressive the OCZ Vector 256GB is, Overclockers Club would like to remind you.  The Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller is matched with low cost 25nm MLC IMFT NAND modules and 512MB of DDR3-1600 RAM for a cache.  That translates to incredibly fast performance but without the high price of other drives.  The 256GB model sits currently just under $1/GB, it is not the least expensive SSD available but when you consider the speeds this drive operates at it is the best value.  Remind yourself where OCZ's Vector sits in the pack by reading on at OCC.

"OCZ's Vector line of solid state drives is every bit the performer that the Vertex 4 drives are with very few exceptions. In many of the tests, the two fastest drives were the Vertex 4 and OCZ's latest Indilinx Barefoot 3-equipped Vector. The only real weakness I saw was that the Vector was less frugal with the CPU cycles than the other Indilinx equipped drives. OCZ's move to the Barefoot 3 controller is beginning to pay dividends as it uses the technologies it has available in-house after the Indilinx and PLX acquisitions. It's taken a while to go all-in but that time has come. As the first totally in-house designed controller from OCZ, it seems to have hit on a controller that does better at managing real world usage scenarios and handling both compressible and incompressible data streams.”

Here are some more Storage reviews from around the web:

Storage

• OCZ Vector 256GB Solid State Drive Review @ OCIA
• Micron P400m 200GB Enterprise SSD @ Tweaktown
• Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD @ Tweaktown
• Samsung 840 SSD Storage Endurance Testing - TLC to the End @ Tweaktown
• kingston HyperX 3K 120GB SSD Review @ XtremeComputing
• Intel DC S3700 800GB Enterprise SSD @ Tweaktown
• Intel 525 Series mSATA SSD Performance Roundup @ Legit Reviews
• Plextor M5M 128GB review: the mSATA version of the M5 Pro @ Hardware.info
• Plextor 128GB M5M mSATA @ Kitguru
• MyDigitalSSD BP4 120GB SSD Review - SATA 3 At an Amazing Price @ SSD Review
• Micron P400m @ AnandTech
• Intel 525 mSATA SSD Review – Every Capacity Tested @ HCW
• Intel SSD 335 vs. Intel SSD 330 Review: Inexpensive SSD Evolution @ X-bit Labs
• Western Digital Red Hard Disk Drives for Network Attached Storage @ X-bit Labs
• Seagate Enterprise Capacity 3.5 V.3 4TB SATA III HDD Review @ NikKTech
• HighPoint RocketStor 5322 Review @ OCC
• Kingston Wi-Drive MobileLite Wireless Card Reader Preview @ Legit Reviews
• Kingston DataTraveler HyperX Predator 512GB Flash Drive Review @ Techgage
• Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate G3 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review @ NikKTech
• SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive @ Tweaktown
• Thecus N5550 @ Legion Hardware
• Thecus Top Tower N8850 review: a powerful eight-disk NAS device @ Hardware.info
• 24 two-bay NAS device group test @ Hardware.info
• Transcend StoreJet 25M3 1 TB External USB 3.0 HDD Review @ OCC

FarCry 3 Game Bundle Now With OCZ Vector SSDs

Subject: General Tech | February 6, 2013 - 01:35 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: vector, ssd, ocz, giveaway, far cry 3

If you purchase a 256GB or 512GB OCZ Vector Series drive before July 14th of 2013 you will get a free downloadable copy of Far Cry 3, to a maximum of two copies.  Allyn was more than impressed with this drive, finishing off his review with the statement that "The OCZ Vector astonished me with its throughput, sheer IOPS performance, and low latency", with the only negative comment involving the drives inability to do household chores.  They are not the least expensive drives on the market but they are some of the fastest and they come with a 5 year warranty as well. 

OCZ might have made some money ... maybe ... we think so anyways ... possibly (UPDATED)

Subject: General Tech | February 6, 2013 - 01:20 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: fud, ocz, income, doom

OCZ is hours away from being delisted from the stock exchange and it will be very difficult for them to make the deadline as they have to submit a plan detailing how they will provide an accurate accounting of their quarterly profits by Feb 28th.  This is a bit of a problem considering that they do not seem to have submitted an accurate profit statement since Q1 of 2012 at the most recent.  In Q2 Ryan Petersen originally forecasted profits between $110-120m but after Petersen left and Ralph Schmitt took over those predicted profits dropped drastically to somewhere around $65-$85m, not accurate enough for Wells Fargo to consider it a proper financial statement.  From what The Register has learned, OCZ cannot estimate Q2 or Q3 earnings at this time, nor are they quite sure what the economic impact incentive programme liabilities and inventory run-down charges will have.  Things do not look good.

UPDATE

We heard from OCZ that they have indeed been working hard with Crowe Horwath LLP on getting their preliminary results for 2012 and Q1 of 2013 ready for the market.  It was also brought to our attention that the Nasdaq is permitted to grant an extension of up to 180 days, which would be April 8th, for the Company to regain compliance with the SEC and other institutions.  This lessens the danger that OCZ faces and while the stock has tumbled a bit over the past few months as of this update they are at $2.09/share, flat for the days trading, traders are exhibiting confidence in the company.  According to Seeking Alpha last night it was announced that "The Company estimates that its quarterly revenue will range between $65 million to $85 million in each quarter for the second and third fiscal quarters of 2013."  That is still a wide variance but you should not count OCZ out quite yet.  We will continue to keep an eye on the market and OCZ's responses.

"Stifel Nicolaus analyst Aaron Rakers noted there was no announcement of a filing of the required Nasdaq update plan today. Unless that is handed in on time, OCZ is out of Nasdaq and, as a result, getting bank credit will be much more difficult. Wells Fargo could wave goodbye and consign OCZ to the scrap heap in a forced asset sale. This is about as bad as it gets, but OCZ's survival is still possible."

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• Logitech Joint Giveaway @ Nikktech