New M6500 Discussion Thread

OK, the current generation of Samsung SSDs (PM800) is better in this respect than the previous versions. With previous versions, the 64GB was half the speed of the 128GB and larger SSDs. With the PM800 series, the 64GB specs at a sequential write speed of "up to" 120MB/s, while the 128/256GB offerings spec at 185MB/s sequential write. You should understand that you will probably never see the theoretical "up to" speeds in real life. With a perfectly healthy drive, I typically see speeds 15% below the theoretical maximum. Taking 15% from the theoretical maximum of the 64GB drive gives "real world" performance just below the test values I'm seeing for my Hitachi 500GB HDs. In benchmark tests I've read, the 64GB drive actually performed slower than expected based on the "maximum minus 15%" expectations. This is probably due to the fact that the SSD was already nearing capacity with the OS and programs loaded.

Here's the link to the Samsung data sheet: http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/products/flash/ssd/2008/down/pm800_25_inch.pdf

So, the difference between the 64GB and larger SSDs isn't quite as drastic as I implied in my earlier posts; however, the bottom line still holds true that if you want to see performance that is significantly improved over a traditional HD, then you should step up to the better specced 120GB or larger offerings. (Note that there is a difference in performance between the Intel 80GB and 160GB drives as well.) I would rate the "real world" speed of the current 64 GB offering from Samsung as being "on par" with a HD, while the larger SSDs noticeably outperform the HDs.

 

So how will the mini SSD compare to these?

 

About the same. It's interesting to note that the next generation (Gen 3) of Intel/Micron SSDs have a maximum bandwidth of 200MB/s. This seems to be the bandwidth/throughput that most manufacture's are currently targeting as a good balance between price/performance. As you go down the scale in price, the emphasis shifts from performance to price.

It seems that all of the latest technology developments in SSDs (Intel and OCZ in particular) are concentrating much more on price/capacity than they are on performance. There is a definite tradeoff between the two.

 

Currently I have a SSD in the machine. Thinking of adding a 500gb/7200rpm drive for some additional media storage while travelling. Does anyone know if the 2nd drive can be spun down when its not in use ? Don't want to be powering a 7200rpm drive on battery when the run-time is already just under 2 hrs for me.. . .

 

As far as I know there is no option to individually "spin down" a drive. However, why not spin down both drives after a short time period? I believe the default behavior is that a drive won't spin back up until you try to access it again. If both your OS and programs are on the SSD, and you never try to access the 7200rpm drive while on battery, then it should remain powered down, and you will essentially be running off the low power SSD.

 

All of the affordable mini-pcie cards are slow as dirt. The Samsung model that is supposedly fa is not officially out yet, so there is no way to tell the speed.
And more importantly I would be shocked if it was under $400.

 

400$ thats an exspensive 64 gigs of memory!

 

Any of you guys with the e-port advanced and monitors connected via display port having issues with monitor detection?

At home I have an the e-port advanced dock connected to a single Dell 2408WFP and even on a fresh boot the laptop rarely if ever detects the display.
I have to either open the lid of the laptop for and FN switch displays or unplug the display port cable and plug it back in. Totally annoying.

On the work setup with the eport advanced I have two U2410s on display port. The monitors show nothing of the boot process and turn on finally at the log on screen after about a minute. They are detected at least but extremely slow. I had similar problems with E6400 and display port.

It works totally fine with DVI which is what really upsets me.
Since the monitors are not detected from the bios on its clearly a dock or bios issue with the 6500.

 

I have had similar issues with two Dell 2408WFP but in my case I think it was the monitors that were having a little trouble. It happen about 1 in 5 boots. Sometimes one, sometimes the other, once or twice both. If I hit a button on the monitor to wake it up before I turner on the laptop it always worked fine. Since I had a work around I never really tried to fix it.
M

 

In accordance with the ProSupport, it is a problem of the Motherboard/System board and the Graphic card...