Momentus XT and GT5

[dozer76]

A couple weeks ago I watched a video of the performance difference between a regular HDD and a SSD. The performance increase was impressive. I kicked around the idea of getting a 60GB SSD but I had some concerns over long term performance with an SSD being that PS3 isn't TRIM enabled.

So I looked at the Seagate Momentus XT 500GB hard drive. The price was a little less than the 60GB SSD and I didn't have to sacrifice storage space.

To get to the point I replaced my 320GB Hitachi 5K500.B with the 500GB Seagate Momentus XT.

The test was done in Arcade Mode single race with the same car (Zonda R) and tracks. Both tested were done with everything installed first and ran multiple times.

Here are my results:

These are the loading times from pressing OK when finishing selecting the car to the start of the race menu.

Hitachi 320GB 5K500.B (Standard HDD)
Laguna Seca - 58.1 seconds
Nurburgring - 56.5 seconds
Tokyo R246 - 57.1 seconds

Seagate 500GB Momentus XT (Upgraded HDD with SD24 firmware)
Laguna Seca - 29.9 seconds
Nurburgring - 35.9 seconds
Tokyo R246 - 27.8 seconds

Laguna Seca and Tokyo are about a 50% increase in speed

I was amazed at the increase in speed. I wasn't expecting that much impovement.

 

[JamboGT]

That is a great improvement! Did you do the full system back up to an external before changing the drives? How do you update the firmware for the HDD? Did you connect it to a PC initially?

 

[rev_hard]

Are those lap times you posted or some other hardware related test results?

 

[Mugenjin]

Are those lap times you posted or some other hardware related test results?

Lap times? How are those related to HDD/SSD xD

 

[G.T.Ace]

Obviously load times.

 

[dozer76]

Load times are from car selection to start of race. To update the firmware you need to hook it up to a PC and download the update program from Seagate.

I don't know is the new firmware really helps the PS3.

Great improvement, this HDD is the best of both worlds.

 

[chouch]

Are those lap times you posted or some other hardware related test results?

Yes Lap times.
Now run to the closest Best Buy and get yourself a 2TB HDD, you will lap the nurburgring in less than 2 minutes !

 

[dozer76]

Did you do the full system back up to an external before changing the drives?

Yes I did a full system back up to an external drive.

 

[rev_hard]

Very impressive gains on load times there. There was no mention in the OP regarding the test being conducted. All it said was "performance" improvements. Sorry for not getting the implied part of your OP.