Survey: M14x owners with SSD's the forum needs you

Hi all,

I would like to compile a list of issue and non-issues peopel are having with SSD's

the goal behind this thread is to find a trend to everyones SATA speed issues in the m14x and Boot issues

If you would be so kind as to take a few minutes to add some details so that i can start collating the information that would be awesome. not just for you but for everyone on the forum.

open to suggestions on what information we require also (despite what my wife thinks i dont know everything about computers )

I'll start.

I dont have performance issues, i am running at full SATA 3 speeds according to ATTO benhcmark tool, even while running the laptop and using the drive during the benchmarking i get over 500MB Read/Write

Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2860QM 2.5GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM (From Dell)
Corsair Force 3 120GB
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A06 BIOS
fresh install with all drivers from the Dell website minus nvidia drivers that i got from that site (im at work so i will get version numbers etc later)
No intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy (second hdd)

I will put all this info in a spreadsheet as we go, and report back regularly.

The more info you can supply the easier it will be to find a trend to the issue.

Cheers,

DeathScythe

Edit: if we get enough interest can we get this sticky'd?

 

I have major booting issue, always stops at the windows logo 10-20 times before it loads. Once it loads everything runs smoothly and in SATA 3 speed.

Hardware:
Please see below

Software:
Running A05 BIOS
fresh install with all drivers from the Dell website
Graphic driver from Nvidia website version 285.62
No intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy (second hdd)

 

Oops, and I'm using 120gb OCZ Vertex 3 firmware 2.15

 

I've had no performance issues at all. I have the corrupt Hibernation file on a REGULAR basis however. I break JUST past 500MB/s on ATTO for anything above 128MB. (511mb write/555read). Boot time is under 8 seconds. I tweaked NOTHING in the bios. /likeaboss

Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Corsair Vertex3 120GB (Edit: Hurr Durr Durr, OCZ Vertex3)
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A05 BIOS
fresh install Win7 Ult 64, all drivers from vendor sites (Intel Chipset, nVidia gfx)
Intel RST IS installed
Device Manager is perfect
No internal HDD caddy (Edit: Upgraded to SpinPoint 500gb using the UDMAMAX mod)

Edit: Vertex3 is running Firmware 2.15. CrystalDisk reports Sata600 for this, Sata150 for my Samsung 500gb Spinpoint.

 

I don't have performance issues, after doing some tweaks in the bios. I have occasional boot issues, but I had a lot more with a previous motherboard.

Hardware:
Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM 2.0GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Crucial M4 64gb and 128gb both with 009
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running Modified A05 BIOS
fresh install with no rapid storage driver installed
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy, but I tried it with a 500gb sata II drive and it wouldn't boot.

 

Good idea to make this thread;] +rep given yesterday

I don't have performance issues, after doing some tweaks in the bios. I have stable SATA 6 Gbps speeds. I have occasional boot issues.

Hardware:
Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM 2.0GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
OCZ V3 MaxIops 120Gig
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running Modified A03 BIOS
fresh install with no rapid storage driver installed
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy.

 

Hey cooper, do you have a corsair force 3 or a OCZ Vertex 3?

 

haha, I'm retarded, I had copy and pasted. I have an OCZ Vertex3

 

No prob thanks mate

 

Hardware:
Nebula Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM 2.0GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Intel 320 160GB
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A01 BIOS
fresh install with all drivers from the Dell website minus nvidia drivers that i Intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy (second hdd)

Zero issue from Day 1

Go with SATAII for M14x and you will be safe

 

No performance issues probably 10% the time or even less at booting it hangs on the Windows logo, that's the only issue.


Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM 2.2GHz
6GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Intel 320 120GB
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Running A06 BIOS
fresh install with all drivers from Alienware CD
Intel RST installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
Stock Seagate Momentus drive put into optical

 

Drop-in running at SATA3 speeds, 0 tweaks. Used to have persistent Hibernation issues, now only happens occasionally (seemed to lessen after I updated a bunch of drivers). Never had a boot up issue.

Hardware:
i7-2670
8GB 1600MHz
3GB GT555M
900p
Killer 1103 Wireless
DVD-RW (ie, no HDD caddy yet)
Crucial M4 256GB EDIT: 009 Firmware (Shipped with)

Software:
A05
Cloned HDD with included software+cable with SSD
Latest WHQL nvidia drivers
Latest intel drivers
RST still installed
Latest Killer drivers

 

Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM 2.5GHz
4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgrading soon)
OCZ 240gig Vertex LE Sata2 SSD (smooth as silk, no booting problems what so ever, from cold boot to desktop is 6 - 7 seconds)
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
2nd HDD Caddy with original 500gig Seagate Momentus drive (no issues at all, just had to just a jumper to slow it down to sata1 speeds as it would randomly disconnect and reconnect in windows)
900p display
Blue Lights

Edit - Also have no sleeping \ hibo issues at all

Software:
Running A05 BIOS
Windows 7 64bit Ultimate
Only drivers installed non of the Dell crap is on (backup etc etc)
Office 2010 pro
No intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)

 

no issues, running @ sata3

 

Same Hardware,
Bios A06.
No problems at all !!
SATA II rulez

 

No issues at all. My SSD is only Sata II but runs great! No tweaks, no issues.

Specs in the sig.

 

Dropped In a crucial m4, cloned from hdd, had to use diskpart and bootrec plus win7 dvd as my laptop rebooted with my old drive still connected over usb which caused win7 to mess with the partitions !

But since then it's been rock solid, no issues at all, hibernate and startup perfect.
I have sata III read and sata II write speed (this is due to alignment I think), anyone know a good fix apart from reinstalling win7 ?

My startup speed has increased quite alot, I was a bit dissapointed that my msbuild times where not improved and even worse I did a windows update 2 days after I got my ssd that has made my msbuild times even slower than the hdd !!

Hardware:
i7-2630qm
4GB 1600MHz
1.5GB GT555M
900p
Killer 1103 Wireless
DVD-RW
Crucial M4 128GB EDIT: 009 Firmware (Shipped with)

Software:
A03
Cloned HDD with included software+cable with SSD
RST still installed

 

Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2860QM 2.5GHz
16GB Corsair 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (Upgraded myself)
Crucial M4 512GB SSD (Upgraded myself)
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
Killer 1103 Wireless
900p display


Software:
Running A06 BIOS
Fresh Install Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit - with latest drivers off Dell Support Website
No intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)

No issues at all - running fine at Sata III Speeds

I've had this thing for just under a month now and it is a beast!

 

No boot issues, Win 7 64 fresh install, A05 bios, Intel RST installed and getting on average 510mb/s read 290mb/s write. other hardware in sig...

 

I don't have performance issues, and no boot issues. Running on the sand-force controller but on last years SATA 2 F-series Corsair

Hardware:
Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM 2.0GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Corsair F160 - 180GB SSD
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running unlocked Volt Mod A05 BIOS
fresh install with intel rapid storage driver installed

Again SATAII - no issues even on sandforce

 

Alienware M14x Red
Core i7-2760QM
8GB DDR3
Geforce GT 555M 1.5GB
14" 1600x900
Killer Wireless
Win 7 Home Premium x64
Samsung 830 128GB SSD Running at SATA-III (originally 500GB 7200rpm installed)

BIOS A06

Zero tweaks. Created restore DVDs with Alien Respawn and used the DVDs to install on the SSD.

I have not seen a single issue at all with this setup.

 

I guess my thread on this died so reposting my stuffs here.

Hardware:
Nebula Red
Intel® Core i7-2720QM
8GB DDR3 HyperX @ 1866MHz
Crucial M4 128GB Firmware 0009 Running SATA 6Gb/s, Tested speeds ~480 Read ~180 Write
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A05 BIOS
Fresh install with all drivers originally from the Dell website. Since then I started using manufacturer’s drivers for Intel (chipset, graphics, RST, wireless), Nvidia(graphics), and RealTek(sound)
Intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager
Internal HDD caddy installed housing original 750Gb HDD

I currently only have issues during Windows boot. Cold start and restart both have about a 50% chance to "hang up" on the Windows loading logo. I have never tested Hibernation as I turned it off and never have had any issue coming out of standby.

 

This thread should have had a poll too.

I'm surprised by the amount of NON ISSUES, and nothing is sticking out to me that could be the problem, it seems quiet random.

 

Software:
A05 BIOS
NO Intel RST

Also have issues during Windows boot. Cold start and restart both have about a 50% chance to "hang up" on the Windows loading logo. The logo will not even show up.

If I install RST, speed drops down to SATA II (tested in ASSSD and also connection info in RST)

 

Thanks guys,

I am compiling the information now (been away on holidays)

but as DC87 said, this is looking more and more random at the moment. I cant see a single thing that stands out, and im also surprised of the people not having issues

should have a list ready by the end of the day.

Thanks again to all that have contributed.

 

One thing i have just noticed though.

Everyone having boot issues or hangs, seem to have a hdd installed in a caddy in the optical drive bay.

that's only after a quick look but seems consistent.

 

I don't see many people with a caddy in the optical bay

 

Just installed my new Samsung 830! Getting Sata III so far with absolutely no issues thus far! Will let you all know if that changes!!

 

Corsair Force 240GB Sata II

No issues.

 

I have also had issues with booting windows, gets past bios and then freezes at the windows boot logo.

Hardware:
Nebula Red
Intel® Core i5-2430M
8GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz
Corsair Force Series GT 180Gb Sata III (got this one due to having 5 eggs average on newegg)
1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A06 BIOS
Fresh install Win7 64bit with all drivers originally from Driver Genius Professional
No Intel rapid storage installed.
No Internal HDD caddy
I updated the firmaware on the SSD to 1.3.3(newest)

 

I have updated my BIOS to A08 and since have not experienced any booting issues.

I have an intel 320 ssd and an caddy with another HDD.

From what I have read that this BIOS forces SSD's to run at SATAII speeds, which for me was not an issue since mine is only SATAII. I have the same speeds on both my drives and have not had a single hang up or any issues since I flashed the new BIOS.

Il post back after more time has past, but it's looking good right now.

EDIT: Got my first hang up on windows logo two days later, hard to say if the new BIOS makes it occur less, but it's certain to say it was not a fix.

 

So I'm using an Intel 320 SSD and I haven't experienced booting issues yet, but I've only had this laptop for a week.

Is this a pretty much guaranteed issue? Cause if it starts right after the return period is over...

 

Not entirely, but as you can see through this topic. Some people have issues, some don't.

 

Hi All,

Ok sorry for the wait, I have the results and it appears there is no consistent trend to any of the issues at this stage for either the booting issue or the SATA speed issues. Although it does appear those with the A06 BIOS have less trouble with SATA 3 speeds regardless of Intel RST.

I would like to expand this out a little for the boot issues.

Could you please tell me what peripherals are plugged into your laptops when booting.

I have noticed boot issues when i have my USB 3.0 external hdd and USB hub plugged in. If i un plug them while its frozen it starts booting again, and if i wait long enough it eventually boots.

Thinking there could be an issue with the USB 3 drivers on startup.

I will continue investigating the SATA speed issues and let you all know if i find anything.

Thanks to everyone that contributed your time for this, sorry i didn't have better news.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Dell is placing the new Samsung PM830 SSD into the latest M14x's. I ordered mine on January 3, 2012.

So far, boot times are insanely good and applications run excellent. Read and Write times are superb. I'll benchmark the sucker later on but the most important thing is that I've had zero issues.

Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM 2.4GHz, 6M Cache
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM (From Dell)
Samsung PM830 256GB (From Dell)
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A08 BIOS
Windows 7 Professional
Fresh install with all drivers from the Dell website minus NVIDIA drivers which are the 295.18 version from HERE
No intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy (second hdd)

 

using a Crucial 128GB M4 with no problems. I have only been using it for a day though so i'll report back in a week or so

 

I get issues with sleep now blah, freezes sometimes when I come out of it and try to do stuff on my desktop. Anyone else?

 

What are your read and write speeds? A08 caps your speeds to sata II speeds, so they are probably less than superb...

 

Hardware:
Nebula Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM 2.0GHz
6GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Crucial C300 256GB
3GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A05 BIOS
Win7 Home Prem, all drivers from Dell and nvidia beta 295.18
Intel Rapid Storage installed
No issues in device manager

 

ok chaps. While I am still not 100% sure if I am keeping this laptop or not I thought I would update you here. I have started returns procedures with Dell... but tbh I might settle for a replacement unit due to the speaker-crackle/HDMI port issues as no-one else seems to have issues with them.

Anyway - I have the A08 BIOS, Kingston HyperX 120GB in primary disk slot and the stock 500GB 7.2k Spindle disk in the optical slot (was a breeze to change them over if anyone is concerned it took me <10mins).

I have seen no issues so far, and rebooted the machine constantly for about 20mins to make sure I also setup two partitions on the "optical bay" drive and copied 80GB between the two (read and write on the same disk). It completed just fine.

But.... the reason why I am posting here is because:



As you can see, I have A08 BIOS and SATA3 6GB on the SSD and SATA2 3GB on the "optical bay" drive.

thoughts?

 

Try running an benchmark such as Cyrstaldiskmark to see if the Kingston is actually running at SATAIII speeds since A08 is suppose to limit it too SATAII.

 

@ moogleassassin. Have you tried starting your M14X after being turned off for say 8 hours? Mine starts ok after 3-4 tries.

I ask because my m14X must be 'WARM' to (re) start ok at first try, say 20 times in a row.

Also, SATA 6 Gb/s in HW info does not guarantee actual SATA 6 (benchmark) speeds.

 

I just bought the OCZ vertex Plus Sata II 120gb SSD from TigerDirect, and I have no problems. Buy the OCZ Vertex Plus 120GB 2.5 SATA II SSD at TigerDirect.ca

After installing windows on it, I must say there is really no reason to run Sata III besides bragging rights. Our system isn't high end due the inability to upgrade the Graphics Card, so why get the fastest and best SSD? it's pointless. This SSD runs at 214mb/s read and 161mb/s write, and boots windows in under 10 seconds, loads games faster than I need, and makes my overall windows experience instant, not to mention increases my battery life by almost an hour.

Fact of the matter is, you enthusiasts that need the fastest, and best hardware on a machine that is already not upgradable in terms of graphics are just wasting your money at the current prices of these SSD's. If Dell is limiting the system to SATA II in it's latest firmware who cares? it's fast enough for any casual/pro gamers needs.

All in all, we have a mid range system, so it makes sense to settle for a mid range Sata II SSD. Unless you're compiling data all day you won't notice a difference between Sata III and Sata II speeds for your daily needs. Go with the smart choice guys, and use Sata II SSD on A08. The speed it runs at will impress all your friends, and you'll be up to date.

 

I got a SATA III because this is a work laptop, running Databases, vm's and a hole lot of other stuff on it so having that extra speed is excellent.

Also i would hardly call this thing a mid range system.....the only thing mid range is the graphics card, that isnt always what people are looking at. The CPU in mine will rival desktop series PC's and the ram is excellent, hardly mid range.

I am happy yours suits your needs but most people will configure the system for there individual needs

 

For anything other than gaming and graphics editing, this laptop is very high end. But for gaming, which I'm sure 99% of users use the M14X for, this laptop is mid/low end. No need for the highest end of all components to be satisfied.

 

Hardware:
Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7-2860QM 2.4GHz, 8M Cache
16GB 1333MHz Corsair DDR3
Samsung 830 Series 512GB
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A05 BIOS (shipped this way)
Windows 7 Enterprise x64
Fresh install - Used Dell Drivers, except for Intel and nVidia. I went to Intel's site directly and grabbed the chipset and graphics drivers since they were newer than Dell.
No intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy (second hdd)

Full SATA3 speeds, no booting issues at all.

 

I disagree with everything you've said in both posts. It really sounds to me like you're trying to justify your purchases (both the M14x and the SATA II SSD).

This laptop doesn't carry a mid range price nor doesn't come with mid range specs for a 14", I expect it to perform like a high end system that I paid too much money for.

Even if it was a mid range laptop, there are plenty of cheap laptops (I'm talking low end) that support sata III speeds right out of the box.

I notice a difference between my old vertex 2 and my M4, maybe you don't, but many folks like I can. I'm not saying that I couldn't be happy with my Vertex 2, quite the contrary, but expecting my new laptop to work with new stuff isn't too much to ask.

 

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. Just swapped in the SSD not two days ago.
Kingston HyperX SSD 240GB. Couldn't get SSD III speed on this laptop,however the Sata II W/R Speed is very good and stable. Used to have boot problem with the old BIOS A05, but after A08 that problem is gone.

Just read that A08 is capped at Sata II and the HyperX current firmware has known issues when used with SataIII capable but designed to used with Sata II motherboard.

Would love to get Sata III with 580/420 R/W.

BTW, any suggestion on Ram?

Hardware:
Nebula Red
Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM 2.4GHz, 6M Cache
8GB Hyundai DDR3
Kingston HyperX SSD 240GB
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M
900p display

Software:
Running A08 BIOS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Fresh install - Fresh install from Alienrespawn Restore USB stick. All stock dell driver except nVidia 285.62
intel rapid storage installed.
No issues in device manager (ie drivers missing)
No internal HDD caddy (just ordered one from ebay

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 x64 (C) 2007-2010 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : Crystal Dew World
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 byte/s [SATA/300 = 300,000,000 byte/s]

Sequential Read : 256.438 MB/s
Sequential Write : 228.324 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 234.367 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 220.552 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 20.235 MB/s [ 4940.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 33.307 MB/s [ 8131.5 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 183.756 MB/s [ 44862.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 179.102 MB/s [ 43726.0 IOPS]

Test : 1000 MB [C: 35.4% (71.9/203.3 GB)] (x5)
Date : 2012/01/19 2:52:08
OS : Windows 7 Ultimate Edition SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64)

 

Sorry for the double post.

Just downgrade to A05 modded BIOS, and un-installed the IRST driver, now Kingston HyperX is running at Sata III.
However, it's very strange I hit 550MB read/510MB write with the ATTO benchmark but only about 440W/230R with SSD, and a even lower 435R/226R with CrystalDisk Benchmark. Does any body know why?

Also I have a boot up issue now, after I shut down last night it hangs at the windows logo for about 6 times until it boots.

 

I stopped reading after "i expect this it to perform like a high end system." keep trying guys maybe one day you'll get there rofl.

My reason for justification is simple. When I bought the 120gb OCZ Sata II SSD it was $99, try finding a better deal on a SSD at their current prices. As of right now I advise against purchasing the same drive as the prices have already gone back up. So if you have the money go ahead and buy a sata III, if you are on a budget I don't recommend it at the current time.

I posted the link so others could get in on the deal, but it's too late now. I gave all the reasons I could think of for anyone that was on the fence about sata II to get off. As of this day I'm a happy camper with my SSD.