The verdict
Compared to the previously tested 100GB model we can see very little difference in terms of overall performance for the new 120GB sized Phoenix PRO. We spot really top notch performance, and that certainly does not disappoint, quite honestly ...the conclusion should and can be the same as the 100GB we tested, slightly slower yet you simply gained some more volume size. If G.Skill will keep the price the same than that's a very interesting product really.
We can state that performance was good, really good. The drive is a tiny notch slower than OCZ's Vertex 2, but they have their own proprietary design and firmware. Comparing apples to apples, the 100GB Vertex 2 and 100GB Phoenix might be a tiny bit faster, in real-world usage however that is never something you'd notice.
SandForce1200 controller based SSDs as shown today are extremely good in productivity, they handle small files exceptionally well. Where they really shine though is writing small files (4KB) random, the In/Out performance (IOPS) there is phenomenal. That alone though, is not enough to justify a higher price over the Indilinx based product as with desktop usage, again you'd probably won't even notice it -- SSDs with cache memory like Indilinx are already so fast.
If you have the money for it, use an SSD like the G.Skill Phoenix as boot/root drive for your OS, Games and applications and pop in a nice massive HDD for storage of your documents, music and movies. That very combination is brilliant and though people are still very weary making a move from HDD to SSD, we can only say .. once you turned to SSD, there's now ay in hell you ever want to go back.
By re-releasing the Phoenix as Phoenix PRO in this 120GB version you gain another 20GB in volume size. The performance differences in-between the initial model and this one are close to nothing making this the better choice.
We hope to see some better availability of G.Skill products as that right now is a bit of an issue. Overall G.Skill is a little cheaper compared to names like OCZ and Corsair, offerin
nearly the same drives. So if you are in the market for an SSD of this caliber and can find it in etail, then by all means do not hesitate. This is a fully fetched blazing fast SSD. Turn on AHCI in your BIOS, and you'll have Trim, NCQ and hot-swappability available for you as well.
The Phoenix 120GB now comes with a hand 3.5" bracket for HDD bay installation and you'll receive a 3-year warranty similar to other vendors. This product comes very much recommended.
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