Seagate 1200.2 3200GB SAS Enterprise SSD Review

 

 

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Review:
Seagate 1200.2 Enterprise SSD

Reviewed
by:
J.Reynolds

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Provided
by: Seagate

Firmware
version:
0004

 

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Introduction

Welcome to Myce’s review of the Seagate 1200.2 SAS 3 Enterprise
SSD.

The Seagate 1200.2 results from a development and
manufacturing partnership between Seagate and Micron. Micron offers exactly the
same range of drives in its S600DC range.

We are privileged that Seagate sent an ‘ST3200FM0023’ model
(3200GB, Mainstream Endurance) for us to test.

Myce has been very impressed by the SAS 3, 12Gb/s drives
that we have tested so far so please read on to see if the Seagate 1200.2 lives
up to our high expectations.


Market Positioning and Specification

Market Positioning

This is how Seagate positions the 1200.2 range –

 

 

Specification

Here is Seagate’s specification for the 1200.2 range –

So, the Seagate 1200.2 range covers a wide range of capacities, endurance and
performance capabilities to meet most, if not all, market requirements.

The 1200.2 supports dual port operations which can be used to aggregate performance across
its two SAS ports or be used to provide two access paths for failover purposes.

The 1200.2 also enables the user to customise power consumption, and thereby performance
characteristics, using Seagate’s ‘SeaChest Utilities’ (please see below)

Here is a picture of the ST3200FM0023 that I tested -

 

We understand
that Seagate 1200.2 drives use an LSI/Seagate controller and Micron 16nm eMLC
NAND.

The drive has a solid metal case, similar to the Toshiba PX04 range but without the cooling
fins.  It feels and looks very well built.

Power Consumption Customisation

I wish to take this opportunity to thank Tom Prohofsky, of Seagate’s Technical Team, for
introducing me to the SeaChest utilities.

Here is a screenshot of the Seachest_PowerChoice utility
that I ran to change the test drive’s Power Consumption value from 15W
(unconstrained) to 12W, which Seagate feels is probably the ‘sweetspot’ that
balances power consumption, heat generation and performance -

 

Firstly, I used the ShowPowerConsumption command to display
the current power consumption setting and the other settings that are
available.

Secondly, I used the SetPowerConsumption command to change
the setting to 12W.

Thirdly, I used the ShowPowerConsumption command to confirm
that the desired change had taken place.

Cool.

In my testing I chose to run our standard SNIA tests in
single port mode for both 12W and 15W power consumption levels and our standard
Myce/OakGate tests in dual port mode for both 12W and 15W power consumption
levels. To facilitate readers in making a  comparison between single port/dual
port and 12W/15W operations I have included a comparison table of some key
performance indicators on Page 11.

 


Now let's head to the next page, to look at Myce’s
Enterprise Testing Methodology.....

 

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