G.Skill Falcon 128GB SSD Review

Firmware Face-off

In fact our only criticism of the Falcon is the way its firmware is flashed. Flashing the drive to its latest firmware using the included jumper will not only fully reset the drive, erasing all data, but also requires you boot into Windows Vista or XP using a separate drive. In contrast, OCZ’s method of updating firmware from a bootable flash drive (instructions for which are clearly explained on its own support forum) does not wipe the contents of the SSD and you’re also able to flash multiple drives in one sitting – this is very, very handy if a) you want to keep you data! and b) you’re flush with cash and fancy RAIDing some SSDs.

However, there is a sneaky way around G.Skill’s annoying firmware flashing method. As the Falcon and Vertex are physically identical, it’s actually possible to turn you’re a G.Skill Falcon into an OCZ Vertex using the v1.1 of OCZ’s flashing tool, which used a similar methodology to G.Skill’s current one.

As the G.Skill ships with the v1370 (v1.1 for OCZ) firmware, all you need to do is hunt down the OCZ v1.1 firmware installer (which we have *cough*), use the jumper to switch the Falcon into its firmware flashing mode (remember to only fit it when the system is powered down), boot using a secondary install and run the OCZ firmware flashing tool.


After completing the flash and restarting your machine (don’t forget to remove the jumper!) the Falcon will now be detected as an OCZ Vertex v1.1. While this will of course void you’re warranty, it will mean you can take advantage of OCZ’s superior firmware flashing tool, and future support, and not have to completely erase the data from you’re "Falcon" every time Indilinx updates the firmware!

Oh, and it'll save you cash on a Vertex too!

Final Thoughts

The Falcon then is simply an awesome bit of kit. Not only is it just as fast as the OCZ Vertex (or in fact, any other well supported 120-128GB Indilinx drive) but it also manages to cost a full £40 less, a saving of over ten percent. At £275 you’re paying £2.29/GB which while still expensive, is bordering on the affordable, especially as it’ll likely have the biggest effect on your system’s overall performance since that first dual core processor or 3D acceleration.

Sadly though, there are a couple of downsides in the form of G.Skill’s more restrictive firmware updating policy (unless you hack it to think it’s an OCZ Vertex), its general support compared to OCZ and its limited availability in UK stores. Nevertheless, this is still an excellent product and makes getting into the SSD fast lane is not only pleasingly more affordable, but that little bit more enticing.

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• 9/10