Packaging, Closer Look, Software
The Vector comes in a sleek and slim box. Strangely, no specifications are listed. Only some features and, of course, the proud "INDILINX Infused" logo.
The SSD itself is packed in an anti-static bag. Bundle consists of 2.5" to 3.5" adapter with screws, Acronis True Image HD license and OCZ sticker.
Vector is of a standard 2.5" format. Its height is 7 mm, which makes it compatible with ultrabooks.Physically, Vector stands out from the crowd by its durable metal casing. SSD has SATA3 6Gb/s interface.
Taking the casing off, we see a crowded dark green PCB. There are 8 memory chips on each side of the PCB. There are also two DDR3 cache chips. Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller sits in the middle of front PCB side. It is covered by a thermal pad, which transfers some of the heat to metal casing.
Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller is based on ARM Cortex processor, supports 8 channels and is promised to deliver 20 GB host writes per day for 5 years. OCZ boasts about Vector's write endurance and sustained performance. 16 MLC NAND OCZ-branded chips are of 128Gb capacity and are manufactured by Intel-Micron Flash Technologies (IMFT) under 25 nm process. Memory is running in mid-range Synchronous mode, which means OCZ possibly could release a faster version with Toggle NAND Mode.
There are two Micron 512MB DDR3 800MHz chips for caching and an empty spot for a third chip to be used in higher capacity models.
OCZ Toolbox software provides some basic functionality, like SSD information, S.M.A.R.T. status, Firmware updates. It does not provide system optimization tweaks that some other do, for example, Samsung SSD Magician.
