G73 and SSD problem

Hi

I just got my G73JH-A1 and I bought a Intel X25-M G2 SSD.
I replaced one of the 500g hdd with the ssd and I found some qs here.

I used the hd tune to test the ssd and found the reading speed is between 100-150 mb/s. then I clicked the info tab and found the ssd is running under ATA-ATAPI 7 sata mode, with UDMA 6 actived. anyone who got a x25-m have the same situation? I think the ssd should running at sata II mode but not sata. Is asus limited the speed of the sata port?

Thanks

Here are some screen shots from my laptop running hd tune

 

Boot into your bios and switch to AHCI mode and are you in Win 7? If NOT, install the Intel AHCI driver.

 

I have the 80GB gen2 intel ssd and have the same problem. Bios is in ahci mode and already have latest intel matrix driver. Crystalmark says I'm running @ sata300 and the standard is ATA/ATAPI-7 I used this drive on another laptop and got 200+ read speeds. Now I'm only getting 150-160.

 

I have everything installed and ahci enabled in bios but it just works at 130mb/s... so sad

 

I just tried my SSD on my Gateway Laptop and it is much faster! Faster reading speed! High IOPS! WHats wrong with the ASUS Laptop??

 

anyone else have this problem? or anyone else using x25-m on G73?

 

I tried reformatting everything and still get the same results. I know a quite a few people have the intel drive on their g73's. Hopefully someone knows what may be going on.

 

Try switching from the intel ahci driver to the microsoft one and see if it makes a difference.

Also download this and run it, LINK. Post some screen shots.

Does Crystal Disk Mark report the same slow speeds?

 

Thanks for your reply

here are some screen shots

I've also tried using the ssd on my gateway laptop and I can get almost double the IOPS when I'm using the random access test on hd tune...so sad
by the way, where to find the microsoft ahci driver...

 

I'm not at home right now, but I'll try using MS ACHI drivers when I get the chance. I'll post results when I get them.

 

If You Open Device Manager, Left Click On Ide Ata Controlers, If It Is Standard Ahci That Is Good, If It Is Intel Or Others Open The Properties And Click Driver Then If There Is A Rollback Option It Should Install The Msahci Drivers Which Gives Better Performance And Allows For The Win7 Trim Utility

Sorry For The Caps

 

You would think finding this driver would be easy....

 

Still 150MBps for me with that method.

 

yeah, i rolled back to generic drivers and nothing has changed.

 

Still 50% faster than the 7200rpm drive, but 200MBps would be sweet

 

Also, it looked like the drives weren't recognized as ahci with that method...

 

You're right. I saw that too but gave it a try anyways. I wonder what is going on...

 

This is lame if the controller won't support an SSD - mine will be here next week. (160GB Intel). Hopefully this is a simple BIOS/driver fix but somebody needs to figure it out (Asus, I hope you're listening).

 

Hmmmm I will check this out over the weekend.

It sounds like it's a SATA driver issue - have you tried different RSST drivers (including the latest v9.5.7.1002)?

You can get them here:

http://www.station-drivers.com/page/intel raid.htm

I know on-the-fly TRIM won't work with these but you can schedule Intel SSD Toolbox instead.

 

I just got my G73 as well, and the same SSD as you. Same problem, so you're not alone.

 

I installed an OCZ 120GB Vertex:
1. Immediately noticed the slow 4K Reads
2. I get triple the 4K read speeds with the same Vertex in my PrimaryRig
3. Tried Intel an MS Drivers. (no difference, still slow 4K Reads)
4. Put the Vertex in my Tower and purchased an Intel 80GB G2 (same slow 4K Read Speeds

Found a Thread on the OZ Forum about this very issue, slow 4K Read Speeds and slow HD Tune Benchmarks......
Boys, its the way it is, mine is a G51.......onl thing you can do at this point is start "harrassing Asus to solve the issue with a BIOS Update!!!

It really does suck as the Asus BIOS / Mobo Chipset simply doesn't allow your new SSD to stretch its wings........I fvcked with this for a week, not to mention many Posts on OCZ and even purchased another Intel G2.........its the way it is....don't waste a ton of time trying to "fix" something you can't

Here you go:
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...&board_id=3&model=G51J&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

 

Yeah, it's not critical or a deal breaker. I mean the drive is still pretty fast. However, it's a damn shame I payed for something that isn't working the way it should.

Another thought. Those individuals that purchased the G73's from resellers and opted for the Intel SSD's may have run into the same issue. I wonder how they resolved their issues.

 

Yep, just tried them. No go.

 

Ok seems I'm not the only poor guy...It may be some hardware/bios issue then.
Hope ASUS can solve this problem quickly

 

Working fine for me.

 

^^^^ Your 4K Reads are "crippled" like everyone else with a Asus / SSD combo....throw that SSD in anothr Rig and you'll see your 4K reads triple....thats what we're talking about.
Also your Access Time is slow compared to that same SSD in a Rig, should be 0.1 ms......

Trust me guys.....all G51J and G73 are running your SSD's at reduced speeds, granted far faster than your 7200 RPM HD, but not at the speeds another Mobo / Chipset / Bios combo with the same SSD........I went through this on this Forum, OCZ, Asus and HWC about 4 weeks ago...

Her's my Vertex in my G51J


Same Vertex in my Desktop


Vertex G51J


Vertex Desktop


The results are somewhat similar running the same Benches with an Intel G2 80GB (Vertex a little quicker with some Writes)





Note the large diff in 4K Reads (important ones when accessing data on the fly) and Access Times......its the way it is, regardless of what SATA Controller Driver you use, same results, Intel vs MS...the only fix for this is getting on Asus' case, maybe a BIOS update would cure, not sure. Real drag though spending all that coin on an SSD and the Asus Notebook "cripples" its performance.

 

If it helps anyone, I installed a fresh W7 from the recovery disc (people aren't getting these anymore) to the SSD, d/led the drivers that were non beta available at that time and had these consistent results. It was a retail package Intel.

View attachment 46395

I may have deleted the driver file I saved which would be a bummer, but if I had to build up my W7 again, I would sure want to use the same version because it worked well. With no tweaking and SSD usage as seen, boot was 26sec. shutdown 7sec. and reboot about 30sec.

Imo, forget HDTune, use Atto and AS SSD.

Q

 

As I've said 100 times before, you are not going to get the same performance on the hm55 storage controller that you get on a full blown desktop setup. The real world noticeable difference is negligible. It would be funny to talk about noticing a .1ms access time difference between a desktop setup and the intel hm55 laptop chipset.

The OP was inquiring about the 150mb/sec read speed. YOU may be talking about your 4k speeds, but I wasn't posting for you.

 

Hey...we're simply pointing out something that many are now finding out dude....you threw your image up thier possibility suggesting that thier was "no issue and mine is fine"....the fact is Asus isn't on top of this....other Notebook Manufacturers are.
I have seen the same SSD Benches run on other Notebooks with equal results as my I7 Classified Desktop.
No...you won't notice 0.1 or .2ms diff....thats not the point, the point is yo have a $1500 Notebook that "cripples" your SSD's potential performance.

I don't forget ANY Benchmark Programs when I'm testing HW for Clients, even HD Tune serves a purpose....your results are "normal"...again...look at your low 4K Reads, thats what we're discussing.

The SSD is by far the best upgrade to any of these Notebooks, or Desktops, just wish Asus would hae been a little more on the ball with the Chipset / Bios combination......let these puppies really stretch thier wings

 

Again, I was responding to the OP's inquiry about his low read speed, not you. He was expecting the read speeds that show in my image, so maybe you should read a little more closely.

And to claim the ssd's performance is "crippled" is just silly.

 

I know I read it carefully....and I also know I provided him with the necessary info to help him avoid wasting time trying to figure out why his SSD aint performing the way it should.....perhaps instead of just tossing in a pic with a "Mine looks good".....a little explanation to the OP would be more suitable.

Sorry I didn't get your "cryptic" Post ....the 4K Reads and the OP's 150 Mb/Sec HD Tune Reads are the same issue.......

Personally I don't think its silly at all that Asus isn't up to speed on SSD Performance, just the opposite actually.......

What I think is "silly" is trying to run GPU intensive Benchmarks on an OC'd Mobile GPU...and Post about "heat issues". that really cracks me up and truly is silly.

 

Well, the fact that our "seq read" speeds are low have not changed. No useful info yet other than what has NOT worked.

Just for shoots and giggles, I went ahead and DL'ed AS SSD Benchmark that evensen was using and got these results. I think there the problem lies with HD Tune. I am now considering this was a big waste of time. I didn't change anything. Just ran the benchmark.

Also the main issue with this thread is the "low" seq. read speeds. Not with the 4k read/writes.

 

So you're saying you notice a difference between your desktop's ssd performance and your laptop's?

And who complained about heat issues on an Oc'd gpu? How is that relevant to anything?

 

^^^ Absolutely when running HD / SSD Benches, obviously not so much in "real world", but thats not the point. The point is many here that finally get an SSD in thier Asus Notebooks are likely going to run these same Benches and check against other Notebooks or Desktops, wanting to know why the slower performance....I'm simply tryng to save some from endless W7 re-installs, SATA Controller re-installs (Intel vs MS)...etc etc.....

Hopefully the info I provided will save some folks time with this and provide some information......

Sequential Reads don't mean "Jack" in regular operation of you Rig / Notebok, it is the 4K Random read that is the one which you constantly execute...

Low Seqential Reads and low 4K Reads are caused by the same issue with the Asus Notebook limiting the SSD's speed, that is why brought up the 4K in the 1st place.....

Anyhoo....I know better now then to try and provide answers or help.....good luck.

MarkS
MS SATA Controller Driver will allow the TRIM function to work automatically, if your using the Intel SATA Controller Driver you'll have o run the Intel Tools utility in order to "maintain performance" of your SSD.........ensure you have the most recent FW installed on your G2 or you won't be able to run the Intel Tools utility.

 

Thanks evensen. My next question was going to be "what other benchmark software can I try?".

With everything fast and stable I'm not too concerned about this....just tinkering. The main thing I was looking for was drivers that would allow me not to have to use the SSD Optimizer weekly, but that's no big deal to me.

I'll just stick with the benchmark that gives me the best numbers

 

I appreciate the info!

Is this something Asus knows about or just something discussed on boards like this?

 

BTW evensen....do you still have a G73 or did you switch to something else?

Lost track of you in the sea of messages...

 

Thanks for the info.

First thing I did when I got the machine was updated the SSD firmware, so I'm good there (even though the firmware it came with (02HA) was recent enough to work with the intel toolbox, there was a newer firmware available (02HD)).

Now, according to the Intel Solid-State Drive Optimizer white paper, the "Microsoft AHCI storage driver" (on Windows 7) is the driver that supports the Trim command natively. But I'm unable to find this driver to install it, and even then how do I know if the Trim stuff is actually being done?

 

No worries.....I always enjoy sharing experience / info on Forums, the whle reason I hang out on Computer Forums is to both learn and share info.

Yes, you'll be able to install and launch the Tool Box ....but.

...FW 02HA does not support use of the Intel Tool Box Optimizer...FW 02HD does.

In order to run the msahci (MS Sata Controller Driver) you'll have to Remove your present Intel Driver completely and Reboot a few times allowing Windows to "auto-install" Default MS SATA Controller Driver.

Provided your using MS (msahci SATA Controller Driver) your G2 SSD is utilizing the TRIM function in the background (whenever your PC is idle)....if your running Intel SATA Controller Driver (ioStar) or the newer Intel Matrix SATA Controller Driver you'll have to run the Intel Tool Box utility (SSD Optimizer) periodically, Intel recommends 1 / week.
Unfortunately this Asus G51J is my "work Computer" and I'm away....my Desktop at home has a number of methods to check for operation of TRIM...I know one method was checking a key in your Registry.....just Google it.

- CDM Crystal Disc Mark
- AS SSD
- ATTO
- HD Tune

I run all of em.... ....Not just the one that provides the best results, think of it was running a Gammet of Utilities to test a CPU OC, for my Clients and prior to releasing a New Build I run several different Benches....to be sure.

 

Just because I posted after you doesn't mean I was talking to you either, like evensen, it was aimed at the OP and anyone with a G73 wondering about the Intel SSD performance and what drivers to use. You can make whatever comments you want pertaining to your G51, SSDs or desktop.

The performance I am getting is exactly what Intel says it should be and the Atto results are in line with SSD experience I have from the past on the small reads/writes, but please keep this in mind, any post I have besides this one will not be directed at you

It's why I made the suggestion, while HDTune is a viable spinner benchmark, it isn't quite up to par for SSD. Atto and AS SSD are pretty good and benchmarks are still benchmarks, the real test is actual use performance (boot, shutdown, restart and opening certain programs).

Q

 

Right - tried that per your original post. Problem is, on my G73, it installed the MS AHCI driver for the controller, but the devices attached to the controller (SSD, HD, and optical drive for me) were then only recognized as IDE devices, not HCMI devices (yes BIOS setting is correct). I didn't like the looks of that so I'll stay with the Intel PCHM SATA AHCI Controller driver for now. It's fast and it's stable, and my personal user experience is just fine with that.

As for my benchmark comment - I was joking about going with the benchmark that gives me the best numbers Appreciate the benchmark app suggestions though, thanks!

Cheers,
Mark

 

^^^ Absolutely....I only tried the ashci SATA Controller on my G51J to see if it would result in the same perofrmance of my SSD on my Desktop (which runs the MS Driver)......no dif obviously...

I'm now running the new Intel Matrix SATA Controller Driver on my Notebook ....just running the Intel Optimizer once a week.

Enjoy new SSD and glad I could help answer some SSD queries....God knows I have had to do my "SSD Homework" this past month and a half ;

 

Got my replacement unit in last week. Haven't had time to push it yet because I was on vacation, but so far so good. You are doing the right thing with the way you have your ssd set up. MS driver is garbage. Real world performance > benchmarks any day. Run the Intel SSD toolkit once a week since the new rapid storage drivers still don't pass TRIM. The reason I was so short in my original post is because I had answered this 100 times and didn't want you to get bogged down in some BS benchmark that will not show you any semblance of real world performance. You should be able to get to 250 seq read though. The other numbers will fall into line after you've hit that. There are some beta's for Intel Rapid Storage. I am running 9.5.6.1001.

Good luck Mark!

 

Dumb question but for the people who have the slow seq read problems did you clone your original image on your SSD?

 

How do you define "slow"?

 

Cool.

I'm not wrapped up in benchmarks - was mostly just curious since I was still setting up my machine and wanted to make sure I hadn't crippled it anywhere.

I see pretty good numbers depending on the software and what's going on. For example, virus scanner was reportedly scanning well over 250MB/s at times.

I use this machine as a desktop clone/replacement so I do development work as well as gaming. So there's no "typical" disk use for me to really measure. My preferred development setup is separate system/applications and source code drives, which I have, so all I know is having the SSD as the system drive blows everything I've previously used away. And of course games load snappier. Love it!

Just need a 500GB SSD for the secondary drive now...lol

Good luck to you too, thanks!

 

A couple of months back I was surprised to learn that a 1TB SSD can cost you just under $4000, that a 500GB drive just under $2000. I mean, wishful thinking and all, but that's a ridiculous amount of money.

How does SSDs compare to HDDs in terms of battery usage?

It's my understanding that SSDs significantly increase the 'you're screwed' factor when it comes to recovering data should one begin or completely fail, do you know if there any truth to this?

 

Hence my laughter

Specs (typical) on my A1 drives:

Intel X25-M 160GB SSD
0.150W In-Use
0.075W Idle

Seagate Momentus 7200rpm 500GB
1.554W In-Use
0.670W Idle

Maybe, but that's what backups are for. I'd personally rather have a backup than pick through a trashed hard drive recovering bits (or paying big bucks for someone else to do it). SSD or rotating, I treat my drives as either working or dead. Multiple backups are kept to make the transition from the working to dead state less painful