ADATA has recently, they launched their latest SSD featuring a new controller. As part of their Premier series, this new controller helps ADATA service customers who need bang for buck performance, positioned just below their Premier Pro line. The Premier series gets a new model dubbed the SP610, which comes in a range of sizes. The SP610 sports a new Silicone Motion (SMI) controller which is something we haven’t yet had the opportunity to evaluate, but it does allow ADATA to drop the price for a more competitive offering. Today, we’re going to be putting the SP610 256GB SSD through its paces for you.
Features and Specifications
Understanding the ADATA SP610 SSD is as simple as understanding the SMI controller which hasn’t seen regular action in SSDs to date. The one used throughout all the SPx10 is models is called the SM2246EN. It’s SMI’s first 4-channel 6GB/s controller designed for desktop use which could potentially lessen costs to SSD pricing down the road. Most professional users recognize SMI for commercial or enterprise storage, so this isn’t just some new player trying to shake things up with a low price.
The ADATA Premier SP610’s top feature is the range of capacities up to 1TB. The DIY market has been screaming for a .50 cent per GB or less pricing model, and it seems we’ve reached that point: The SP610 256GB at $130 US, the SP610 512GB at $230 US, and the SP610 1TB $470 US MSRP. A 128GB model is also available if you really can’t afford $130 for a decently sized 256GB. But we’d expect, with this sort of pricing, the 256GB will continue to be the one to get.
Pricing could continue to drop a bit more as other vendors offer their higher capacity SSDs into the marketplace as well.
What’s in the Box?
The ADATA Premier SP610 package includes a 2.5 to 3.5″ adapter with screws so you can mount the SSD in any computer case that doesn’t normally accommodate 2.5 inch drives. With its build quality and construction, t’s one of the best adapters available with an SSD we’ve come across to date. There is also a small stick-on adapter in case the SSD is too thin for a drive bay that expects a 9.5mm height unit as the SP610 series is all set at 7mm in height.
Finally, the ADATA Premier SP610 comes with a special Acronis software key on the back of the SSD. The Acronis program can be downloaded directly from ADATA which can be used to mirror over your existing hard drive, or older SSD over, saving you time and getting you going more quickly.
Test Setup and Configuration
We have some tests of new M.2 and standard SSDs on this very platform, so make sure you come back for those reviews soon. In the meantime, you’ll be happy to know there wasn’t any problems detecting or installing the ADATA Premier SP610 SSD on this system setup. Additional testing on Intel Z68, Z87, Z97, and a few various AMD 700, 800, and 900 chipsets detected the SSD fine.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K Devil’s Canyon
- Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-UD5H
- Memory: Kingston HyperX 1600MHz 8GB DDR3
- Storage: ADATA Premier SP610 256GB SSD (as tested)
- Graphics: MSI GTX 750 Ti OC 2GB
- Power: bequiet! Dark Power Pro 850 80Plus Gold
- OS: Windows 7 Pro (patched)
Performance results can vary from system to system depending on BIOS versions and driver up dates. Our Intel Z97 platform is of course on the latest available drivers and BIOS available at the time of testing for best performance.
Speaking of performance, let’s start showing off the results.
Performance Results
The benchmarks include CrystalDiskMark, which tests highly compressed data, that challenges the controller’s 4K capabilities, BlackMagic Speed Test reveals its real time video data read and write bandwidth, and ATTO measure input/output performance for pro users. PCMark 7 takes a little bit of everything in to account revealing how the SSD influences overall system performance.
CrystalDiskMark
Sequentially, the ADATA Premier SP610 kicks some decent data butt. This is actually kind of surprising given the SMI budget controller inside. It also seems to be capable of handling 4K data well enough which makes up a great percentage of your desktop environment. So now we know it can handle some compression.
BlackMagic Speed Test
What we see here is that the ADATA Premier SP610 has a write capability of 285MB/s, which is fast enough to support real time video with lower RGB quality than the previously reviewed Kingston HyperX Fury. However, it can handle a lot more than the Velociraptor 1TB or any regular 7200 RPM platter drive for that matter. The slower write we see here is expected given the cost effective controller.
ATTO – IO Performance
The ADATA Premier SP610 doesn’t quite handle IO as similarly as its rivals in terms of write performance. That is definitely due to the SMI controller and its budget underpinnings. At 30K, respectively, that’s very comparable to something like a Corsair Force LX, Kingston V300/KX300, or Intel 300 series SSD. Keep in mind this just means it won’t really rock any intensive system requests but it will still handle desktop use perfectly fine.
PCMark7 – System Influence Test
The ADATA Premier SP610 does respectably well for a price conscious SSD. Even though the Kingston HyperX Fury has a bit more write IO performance, the SP610 has better 4K performance which helps get through the benchmark better, and assists with day to day use. With smaller programs, you really wouldn’t notice much of a difference between any of the SSDs. All of which are faster than the fastest platters of course.
Loaded Cell Performance
Since the ADATA Premier SP610 makes a claim that it can maintain performance even if filled to 90% capacity, it had to be tested. I have put about 800GB on a 1TB hard drive and believe me when I say it took a very long time as the drive got slower and slower as the data piled up. In retrospect, any SSD will take much less time. But ultimately, the ADATA Premier SP610 comes close to that 90% rating depending on the type of data or files filling the SSD. However, given that this is a desktop SSD with an OS and a slew of benchmark files here, it’s more around the 85% mark which is still decent.
Final Thoughts
In a DIY consumer market, where speed seems to rival all other measurables, it’s a little difficult to put a cost effective SSD in perspective. The ADATA Premier SP610 256GB SSD is no exception, but it is a rather robust little SSD despite the use of an affordable SMI controller. This product definitely isn’t here to satisfy high end performance hounds, but it is built to perform decently while saving someone money on an upgrade. With a price point as low as $120-130 US to start with a 256GB model, the added SSD adapter and Acronis software, provides a cost effective first taste of performance for many users. Additionally, it performs well, and is within sight of higher end SSDs in terms of overall system performance.
With that said, I think that pretty much sums up the ADATA Premier SP610. If you find the affordable 256GB a bit small for your needs, consider the 512GB and 1TB models. Or if you can’t afford the 256GB, a 128GB model is in the line up for under $100.
Overall, with this sort of pricing, respectable performance, and a great bundle, the ADATA Premier SP610 is surely one of the products to beat in this category. Add a 3 year warranty, and you’ve got something to look forward to for that next upgrade on a budget.
Pros
- Very respectable desktop performance
- 3 year warranty
- A range of sizes from 128GB to 1TB, at affordable prices
- Good retail bundle with adapters and software
Cons
- IO performance not particularly impressive
- Not quite 90% TRIM and clean up efficient
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10.0
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