Since April the 1st 2011 we use a new high-end test system for our reviews, all the details of this test system you find on this website below. Before the April the 1st 2011 we used this test system.

	Intel Core i7 2600K Sandy Bridge CPU: The 4-core processor Intel Core i7 2600K used in our test system is the fastest prcessor of the Intel Sandy Bridge architecture and the first Intel processor which offers the new Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX). Without exaggeration, the performance of this CUP is phenomenal. Despite this fact, the processor remains extremely cool even under load. We recommend Intel Core i7 processors for high-end-PC systems with SSD data storage.
Gainward GeForce GTX 480 1.536MB PCIe graphics card: Gainward GeForce GTX 480 is the first graphics card with Nvidia chip to natively support DirectX 11. This high-end graphics card provides very high graphics performance but has comparatively high power consumption with corresponding heat development. You won’t go wrong with this graphics card if uncompromising power is what you are after.
	Asus P8P67 Deluxe Motherboard: This latest-generation high-end motherboard provides four SATA III onboard interfaces with 6 Gbit/sec each. To some of the current high-end Solid State Drives, the old SATA II standard with 3 Gbit/sec is a bottleneck. Since the SATA III interface is downwards compatible with SATA II, we test every SSD with the SATA III interface powered by the Intel P67 Express-Chipset. We use the revision 3.0 of this mainboard, to avoid possible SATA problems with earlier revisions of this board. Additional highlights of this motherboard are four onboard USB 3.0 interfaces, Bluetooth and many other very useful features such as the new EFI "BIOS", which allows us from now on, to review SSDs and HDDs with more than 2,2TB capacity. We recommend a motherboard with an EFI "BIOS", Intel SATA III and USB 3.0 interface for a latest-generation, fit-for-the-future SSD.
8GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1.600 RAM: Our test system uses 8GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1.600 RAM. We recommend to install sufficient RAM for uncompromising performance – no matter how many memory-intensive programmes run simultaneously. Usually, 4GB RAM is sufficient. You should use two memory modules of the same bank colour when allocating RAM as dual channel to the Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge architecture. We recommend to use a 64 bit OS (ideally Windows 7 with Service Pack 1) when working with more than 3GB RAM.
	Enermax Revolution 85+ 950 Watt mains adapter: The Enermax Revolution 85+ 950 Watt mains adapter guarantees to provide sufficient power even under full load. It has a very high efficiency factor and is 80 Plus Silver certified. It has a relatively low operating noise and hosts a highly practical cable management system whereby only those cables actually needed are used. This saves space within the computer and provides for a better circulation of air.
Silverstone Fortress FT02 PC case: We have found a very special PC case for our SSD test computer. In our opinion, the Silverstone Fortress FT02 PC case is the most mature and practical PC case we have ever used. The details of this case show clever refinements: For instance, the motherboard in this case is installed with a 90-degree clockwise turn so that the display and other peripheral devices must be plugged in from the top. The advantage: Three giant 180 mm fans integrated at the bottom of the case draw cool air. The rest works according to the same principle found in a furnace: air heated by PC components can be exhausted through the top much faster because hot air, according to the laws of physics, rises. The fan operation is particularly quiet as they are extremely large and consequently can run at a low RPM to create the necessary circulation of air. This type of cooling is very quiet yet highly efficient. It can be surpassed only by a much more involved and expensive water cooling system.
	Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OS with Service Pack 1: Our SSD test computer runs a Mircosoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OS with the latest Service Pack 1. Windows 7 is the ideal operating system (OS) for a computer with Solid State Drive because Windows 7 correctly partitions a SSD for SSD operation during installation already. For instance, it switches off defragmentation as a Solid State Drive no longer requires it and would unnecessarily access the SSD during defragmentation operations. Additionally, Windows 7 supports the important TRIM command ensuring SSD’s practically do not decrease in performance despite extensive usage. We recommend the Windows 7 OS for computers with SSD’s.

Take a closer look at our high-end test PC:

This high-end PC system combines our 20 years of PC experience; all components work together perfectly. What is this system still missing? Of course, a Solid State Drive, i.e. a SSD. Which one? This is why we have created this website. Make your own comparisons and see our current SSD recommendations.

Have fun on ssdreview.com. We hope to have made the extremely murky SSD market a bit more transparent for you. Your ssdreview.com team.