Patriot Memory’s Pyro SATA6Gb series are among the most affordable asynchronous SSDs available. Their price is aimed at attracting early adopters and pro users looking to give their computers a much needed performance boost. They also offer the Wildfire synchronous series for enthusiasts who want the fastest overall performance money can buy. But it’s the consumers right in between that Patriot Memory is looking to reach with the new Pyro SE series.
The Pyro SE series uses full speed synchronous NAND as well providing faster IO and average throughput than it’s Pyro sibling. While both use the SF-2200 series controller, we know the Pyro SE has the SF-2281 to be exact which benefits the throughput on the NAND. How does it compare to the rest of their SSDs and just how much will you have to spend? Read on and find out!
Features and Specifications
There are three very popular SATA6Gbs SSDs in Patriot’s line up. The Max Random IOP spec is “up to 85,000” for each SSD. The Pyro uses asynchronous NAND which means slightly slower throughout. However, the Pyro SE and Wildfire both use synchronous NAND offering the fastest throughput which benefits overall system performance. If your system needs IO performance, the SE and Wildfire are you best option. The budget priced Pyro still provides very noticeable regular system performance over platter based hard drives. As far as internal controller features, all three use the SandForce SF-2200 series.
From the table, you can see that both the Pyro and Pyro SE top out in 240GB capacities where as the Wildfire can be purchased in a 480GB capacity. Each SSD uses MLC (multi-layer cell) NAND which is still by far the most affordable available. While the controller is SandForce, all of the current bin SSDs use Intel 25nm NAND. Ultimately, it’s the type of NAND and firmware tuning that decide their performance.
Pricing is spread by a mere $20 US/CA between the Pyro at $159.99 and Pyro SE at $179.99 respectively. The Wildfire is still hands down the fastest SATA6Gbps SSD available and naturally carries a $229.99 premium which is down from $289.99 at launch. This makes the SE a really good performance value. You can see that in testing next.
Test System Setup
I reassembled most of the original test system used for our SATA III SSD round up from a few months ago. Performance from the LSI Spitfire HBA won’t be included this time. Typically, Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) work best if you have need for a mission critical professional system and are willing to spend another $120 US/CA to acquire an entry level card. Some cost well over $1000 and yes they do affect performance positively. Due to the value nature of this product, we will be concentrating on the performance of a built in SATA controller on our Z68 series INTEL motherboard.
Here are the system details:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K
- SATA3 Source 1: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD5
- Memory: Kingston HyperX Genesis 2133MHz 4GB DDR3
- Graphics: MSI Geforce GTX 560 Ti
- Test SSD 1 Patriot Pyro 120GB
- Test SSD 2: Patriot Wildfire 120GB
- Test SSD 3: Patriot Pyro SE 240GB
- Power Supply: Antec CP-850
- OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit on HyperX 120GB SSD
The three Patriot SSDs are using the latest firmware to ensure optimal performance. It also cleaned up a huge part of the SandForce controller’s original problems. Keep in mind that your SATA3 6Gbps controller/chipset will vary from motherboard to motherboard. Again, HBA cards will also perform differently, and typically, better than most onboard solutions.
Now that we’ve established what we’re testing with, let’s get on with the performance benchmarks!
CrystalDiskMark 1000MB Benchmark
CDM uses intense compression tests to benchmark storage devices. While it’s not a favorite among all engineers, it does quite well in providing scores that reflect real world transfer rates as well as hints to desktop performance expectations.
Here, the controllers get slapped around pretty hard under all that compression. What this does is show us a little about what we can expect with the SSDs in our desktop. Often, the 4K performance makes all the difference.
PCMark7
Any SSD affects the system differently and PCMark7 shows tangible differences between them. Sequential read and write performance doesn’t improve system performance nearly as much as the smaller 4K data block capability through the controller.
These are the average scores with the OS and other programs loaded on to each SSD. The only variable here is the SSD. Firmware and NAND show us that the Pyro SE is just about as strong a performer as its Wildfire champion brother. Either way, the Pyro SE will be a great SSD for your big programs.
ATTO
For a little IO action, ATTO Disk Benchmark is still one of the more popular free to download programs to use. My best 10K RPM platter based hard drive has trouble producing over half the performance of even the slowest SSD. Keep in mind your particular system performance will vary from chipset to chipset.
A Western Digital Raptor drive produces about 110 MB/s write 4K datablock IOPs. Even the more affordable asynchronous Pyro SSD scores 178MB/s in the same test. As for the rest of the synchronous bunch, they’re noticeably quicker.
Final Thoughts
The top end Wildfire is still the fastest SSD that Patriot offers but it carries a rather lofty price tag to match. Ultimately, the goal of the Pyro SE seems to be aimed at offering enthusiasts a high performance option without the high end price tag. Ultimately, performance is very close to the Synchronous SSD competition if not just edging past. The Pyro SE’s only weakness is its bundle as it doesn’t come with any anything. Some hard drive bay mounting adapters would at least make sure it fits in any enclosure or system out there regardless of its age.
The price of the Pyro SE starts at $120 for the 60GB model. However, for $160, you can get a 120GB which is really recommended if you don’t want to have to watch your capacity. The Pyro SE 240GB for $350 will accommodate your important programs and big games. Plus, both of which will definitely run far more efficiently. Professionals will get through their work faster and gamers can load their games faster. Being one of the first join a Battlefield 3 server has its pleasing benefits. No more being the last to choose the aircraft or vehicles.
Because the Patriot Memory Pyro SE 240GB SSD performed and executed its purpose quite well, I have no reservations giving it our Recommended award.
Pros
- Respectable price per capacity
- Very good performance
- Supporting update software works easily
- Good built in TRIM/Garbage management
Cons
- No bundled cables or drive bay adapter
- Pricing may deter budget users looking for more value
Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10.0
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