Corsair P256 SSD (CMFSSD-256GBG2D) on a MAC Pro!
This is going to be a long post with some test results and thus I recommend that you hit the read more link to see the entire post.
I was able to nab a test unit of the Corsair P256 256gb SSD, Model CMFSSD-256GBG2D, for testing and decided to install it on my Mac Pro and compare it against a Western Digital Velociraptor (Model WD3000HLFS). The results were not as impressive as I thought they would be. (ps. I used an ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B to convert the 2.5″ SSD into a 3.5″ for mounting).
First of all I would like to say that the Icy Dock product is most impressive. You simply slip the 2.5″ drive in, after opening the hatch, and close it up..the drive slips into the connectors and is completely secured without using any screws etc.
The install was as simple as could be, put the SSD in the Icy Dock, mount the dock onto a Mac Pro disk plate and slide it in. Voila…start the MAC and the drive appears, after which you simply partition it (one partition in my case), and finally clone your system on to it. This is where my favorite software, Carbon Copy Cloner, comes in. The whole process of moving my entire system from the 300gb velociraptor to the SSD took about 25 minutes…I generally don’t store a lot of data so the total transfer was plus/minus 75GB. 
Testing time….I left the system running on the velociraptor first and did some HD Speed Tests with the only utility I could find quickly, AJA System Test. AJA provides this software for free to compliment their video/audio software. I simply wanted to see if the cost of the SSD, $650+, justified its existence. I am sure there are better tests that can be run, but that being said I am sure you will find my results equally helpful. Read on by clicking the following link:
The WD Velociraptor was the hands down winner in this test due to write speeds being higher. Both drives were equivalent in the READ tests….. The conclusion of this test is that there is no benefit in spending well over $600 to get a SSD drive since a $230 Velociraptor does a better job and gives you a little more capacity. One third the cost and better performance….? I think the choice is clear. SSD is not ready for desktop machines, however it may be a suitable replacement for a laptop since it does not generate a lot of heat, use a lot of power, and above all does not have any moving parts.
Take a look at the results and decide for yourself what works best….
The volumes in the test results are TC-MACPRO, which is the velociraptor, and the MAC-SSD which is the new Corsair SSD.
Images:
Velociraptor 300
Corsair 256gb SSD
Velociraptor 300
Corsair 256gb SSD
Velociraptor 300
Corsair 256gb SSD
I have a Mac Pro (2.66GHz 4 core). I just upgraded from the 300gb velociraptor to the P256. It's not even CLOSE. Those benchmarks are useless. I went from a 15 minute boot time (because I have about 25 programs autolaunch) to about 1:30! The I/O bottleneck on the system has essentially been removed. The seek times, that is what kills performance on a system like a Mac Pro.
Perhaps if your only application is writing or reading long sequences of audio/video, then your conclusion is correct (and even then, the delta is marginal, and frankly, real world the sequential throughput on the P256, in my experience, far exceeds the real world throughput of the velociraptor). But for general and overall use/performance, it's not even a contest. The P256 demolishes the raptor (which is now relegated to a drawer as a back in case the P256 dies). True, it is significantly more expensive, and you have a valid point there. Just depends on if the gain in overall system responsiveness is worth it. Before I got it, I was skeptical, but now I know there is NO GOING BACK. Using a non SSD system is now an exercise in relative pain.
I am with you.
.
I wish I had a real utility to test with. Any ideas? I am using the ssd full time also….but the cost issue does remain.
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I look forward to your response and an updated review after more testing.