Installing an SSD? tips/tricks/benchmarks

Yeah same Probably. Does anyone know if TRIM is supported in Raid yet? I keep seeing major debates about it but no hard proof that it is/isn't.

 

Yes controversial however the data all around shows that, with the new Intel 9.6 RST driver package, there is something going on that is exactly like TRIM or garbage collection. What is being seen is a very efficient return of performance after large deletions of data on the RAID drive.

The internet is littered with examples of this occurring and, really, how many complaints of performance degradation in a TRIM drive have you heard of with this new package?

 

Hi all, thought i'd share my findings as they seem interesting.
After seeing this post where scook9 posted his x25-m 160 speeds after a fresh install i noticed that his 4k reads and writes are more or less double than mine after a fresh install on a fresh drive.
Here are my speeds (his are in the link above):


As you can see, 4k speeds are halved.
The only difference i saw is that i was using the Rapid Storage, while scook9 was using default driver that windows installs.
So, i went ahead and uninstalled rapid storage and redid the test.
Here are the results with Windows driver :


As you can see, speeds have improved over Rapid Storage, but still, 4k reads are about 30% slower than what scook have posted.
What could be the reason ?

 

Can you do the test in Safe mode? You may see a diff and then we can see if the software is responsible for affecting the scores.

 

you were right.. Safe mode is close to scook's results.


it either means that
1. scook9 benched under safe mode or
2. i have some soft that is slowing down my ssd


What do you think ?

 

Attached are the CrystalDiskMark benchmark results for my 160GB X-25M SSD using the Intel Rapid Storage driver after about two months use:

Intel Rapid Storage
​

These were the original benchmark results using the Windows Controller taken immediately before installation of the Intel driver:

Windows Driver
​

My conclusion is that there is little or no practical difference between the Windows driver and the Intel Rapid Storage driver, excepting somewhat faster write times for 4K files with the Intel driver. I suspect that the faster performance enjoyed by scook9 reflects primarily the benefits of a fresh install and a relatively optimized disk file structure.

 

were those measurements done under safe mode ?

i'd be totally happy with those results under windows, thing is mine 4k results are much slower, under rapid storage and under microsoft driver.

 

The results posted above are not under Safe Mode. Safe Mode really boosts 4K write times, but otherwise has relatively modest effects. For example,

Safe Mode - Intel Driver
​

 

Nope... your SSD has great results and now we know that any slowing is not hardware related, but rather, something in the OS which prob makes u feel a bit better.

 

For what it is worth, all my stuff was done with a normal boot and NOT in safe mode

 

ok i'm not really sure what going on but i did a fresh install of windows 7 professional and didn't have problems installing anything until i made the changes in this guide now i can't install red alert 3 red alert 3 uprising, visual c++ 2005 and a few more they all give me this error



i can install media player classic 64bit and crysis but nothing else
i only made the changes outlined on the forums and nothing else could any of this affect have made it happen if not can someone please help me
if all fails i guess i'll just reinstall the os but i don't want to yet i want to fix it

 

the only thing i can think about that would cause something like that is the NTFS junction of users directory that was done incorrectly.
Did you do that change ? were there any error messages ?

 

i skipped that because of how complex it seemed

 

I agree with mfractal and I as well suspect that moving the users directory is causing you problems. Since I haven't encountered a similar warning before, I can't be sure, but in case you do a new windows installations try to avoid this step.
The only thing I haven't done to my installation is to move the users directory.

 

well, looks like he skipped that step, so i doubt it's anything from this guide that's causing the problem.
BTW stamatisx, moving the users directory is pretty simple and i think very beneficial as all the temporary internet files etc are there.

 

if that's not the problem i don't know what is because everything i've done on the m17x (with the exception of what i've done in this tutorial and installing google chrome) I've done in my old latitude e5400


is it possible its somehow related to the dell ati drivers?

 

Yeah he posted it while I was typing....
I prefer a more responsive OS/application, that's why I keep essential parts like users directory on the SSD.

 

well i think i'm just goin to reinstall the os and hope nothing goes wrong this time

 

Gentleman,

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. I hope the image below achieves this, 'cause I'm at a stump as to how to enable TRIM (or is it already working?)!

Both the SSD and BD-RE are being ruled by the evil "Intel PCHM SATA AHCI Controller 6 Port" (8.9.4.1004) - that's bad, yes?

Where is my "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller" under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers?
msahci.sys (30KB) is indeed in my System32/drivers directory!

Why are the SSD and BD-RE drivers showing as "Microsoft" under Properties?

So..., where do I go from here to activate TRIM (if not already activated?) without completely demolishing my new system? Am I better off with IRST 9.6 or MS?

Baby steps please, I'm still learning

 

Nothing bad about it, this is the chipset driver. Chipset is responsible to communicate with your I/O devices. This is why you see the same driver on both.

Since you have the microsoft chipset driver installed.
You could install intel rapid storage if you wish, then you'll see Intel

Sorry, not sure about samsungs and trim. I think you need an updated Firmware.

 

Your Samsung SSD has TRIM enabled, but it's not actually working because the old Intel 8.9.4.1004 controller driver cannot pass the TRIM command(s) from Win 7 through to the drive. Download and install the newer Intel Rapid Storage driver from Intel® Rapid Storage Technology and you'll be good to go. The MS drivers you refer to are device drivers and will not be affected (and shouldn't be).

Edit: There is a newer version of the driver (v9.6.2.1001), which I am using, but it is not yet available for download directly from Intel. If you're interested, just Google "Intel Rapid Storage driver 9.6.2.1001", and you will find plenty of sources. It's a minor revision.

 

That problem doesn't have anything to do with tweaks made in connection with your SSD. It is most likely a .Net Framework 3.5.1 issue -- either the program(s) you're trying to install needs it and it's not active or it's active but conflicts with the program or its installer.

First, go to Start | Control Panel | Programs | Programs & Features | Uninstall A Program, then on the left side, click on "Turn Windows features on or off." A popup box will appear. Scroll down to "MS .Net Framework 3.5.1." By default, its checkbox is filled with blue (on). If it is unchecked, then check the box. Click the + sign to expand and then check both activation boxes, hit OK and reboot. Then try to install the problem program.

If it still fails to install, return to the features box and clear/uncheck the box for .Net Framework, click OK and reboot. Then try to install the program. After installation, return to the features box and check the .Net Framework box to turn it back on.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the replies and explanations. I've downloaded IRSD 9.6.2.1001. The .zip contains 2 folders - \32 & \64. Each folder contains 7 files (see image below). What should I do now? I'm honestly more confused now then I was when I knew nothing about this stuff...

Also, should I be concerned that there is no "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller" under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers? Does that matter?


_________________
M15x (April 23 2010)
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Intel Core i7 720QM
8GB Dual Channel DDR3@1333MHz
128GB SSD - SAMSUNG PM800 2.5" VBM24D1Q
15.6" Wide FHD 1920x1080 (1080p) WLED
1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Slot-Loading Dual-Layer Blu-ray Burner - MATA BD-RE UJ235A
5.1 Channel Audio
Intel WiFi Link 5300
________________


Images:
info-ssd-trim-activation.jpg

&

 

Just double click on the executable - Intel 9.6.2.1001. It should automatically install the appropriate driver.

No, you don't care about "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller" under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. IRSD is used in lieu of the standard controller and will show up in the same place as "Intel 5 Series 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller" after installation.

EDIT: Now I see. Download the other file - iata96enu.exe at the Intel site previously listed. Then, just double click on it and an installation wizard will load and walk you through the installation. Sorry, I should have been more specific about what to do at the Intel download center.

 

Thanks, I'm heading there now and will double click.

*gulp* goodbye world...

 

LOL. You'll be fine. Just let Intel do the work, and TRIM will soon be operational on your machine.

 

Bloody hell, it worked! +1 rep your way!

Geez Louize, I got up with Dell about this very issue 3 weeks ago! The lady-tech said, "Trim? I'm sorry, I didn't understand you." Me: "TRIM!" Lady: "Trim? I'm having trouble understanding you, can you spell that?" Me: "T-R-I-M." Lady: "Trim? ...? Let me ask someone, can you hold for 5 minutes." Several minutes later: "Yes, you have nothing to worry about. Anything else I can help you with today?" Me: "No." I hung up the phone and vowed never to use my warranty again.

Ah well...

Say, how does one display their sig, mine doesn't seem to want to show?

 

Great!! Sorry it took so long to get my instructions straight.

Re signature, click on User CP on the bar near the top of the page. Then click on Edit Signature over on the left and create nd save whatever signature you desire.

 

oh no, the option is not there!

guess I gotta get on the horn with notebookreview support... hope it's not that lady again!

 

What option? Once the controller/driver is installed, you've done all you need to do.

 

Wait, it's there now, what's going on

Edit: sig activated!

2nd Edit: sorry Revelator, I was referring to the Edit Signature option

 

What are you talking about? There is no such thing as notebookreview support.

 

Well I have done many installs on my Intel G2 drive now and it is awesome.....I am seeing NO performance loss

I made the following tweaks as mentioned on the first page:
disabled superfetch, prefetch, search, indexing, system restore, set hard disk options in power plan to turn off never

Pretty much all the things that I found practical from the guide in Les's guide linked in his sig

Here are two different points representing a lot of usage between




Note this is NOT in safe mode (Windows Aero and a desktop background are giveaways there)

 

That's the only thing I envy on MLC drives with TRIM support. The fact that they maintain performance contrary to SLC ones that after a while they stay on a stable but lower level than they were new or after a secure erase.
Scook, I guess you are very satisfied by those results

 

Hard no to be

 

Tx Scook9...nice numbers and glad everything worked out for ya...

Gotta love that drive eh... I think even with the new release of the SandForce controller drives the Intel will still remain the baseline in testing.

 

I believe that those numbers can be increased with a new firmware update from Intel. Somehow it feels that they are purposely limited

 

That is the newest firmware that I know of, I flashed it after getting it

 

yes Scook, there isn't any newer firmware version than that. I expect though a new one to be released unless they plan to start selling the G3 any time soon.

 

Here is my 60Gb Agility 2 on my M11x. I notice a substantial difference in what everyone else seems to be getting(??).

I have disk defragmentation, indexing, and system restore off (though the whole drive is encrypted with truecrypt).

 

Did you run a benchmark before encrypting your disk in order to make comparisons?

 

I've decrypted the drive and it does seem to have made a difference when running the tests-

Encrypted:


Decrypted:


Edit:
After a reboot, getting the following:
Seq: 192/67.45
512k: 174.8/65.3
4k: 8.593 / 35.87
4KQD32: 87.52 /63.3

 

That was some reboot. LOL.

 

Power Reboot!

 

Just rerun a Crystal Disk Mark after about 3 months of usage, my SSD is faster than never!
Seq; 243/108
512k; 184/108
4k; 14.58/20.58
4k QD32; 154/95

 

Here is my latest Windows 7 install... How do these numbers look?

 

Without knowing the drive, I will assume that this is a samsung based ssd?

If that is the case the 4k numbers are actually surprisingly high

Edit: Just researched it and see that is sandforce drive

According to Mushkin (for what it is worth) your numbers are actually pretty low

http://www.mushkin.com/Digital-Storage/SSDs/MKNSSDCL240GB.aspx

 

I agree with Scook, really low (especially writes) considering that TRIM is enabled according to CDI

 

Well what should I do? That bench was with all of the tweaks enabled.. Running the intel rapid storage driver too. Think that could be affecting it? Might this be a hardware issue?

 

I would contact Mushkin and just mention that you are not even close to the advertised numbers

It may be the drive