2015 SSD in non-TRIM enviroment

Bought a RAID adapter with JBOD in mind for now, and RAID 1 later - and realized it does not support TRIM (and NCQ) upon delivery. The adapter ain't particularly cheap, and I can't decide whether sell it or to keep it.

Will getting a couple of same model Sandforce drives and OP'ing them to 30-40% make this setup viable enough as non-OS drive (critical data storage, RAID 1)? Is it possible to use this adapter for OS drive under any conditions? It's bootable of course, but I'm worried about performance degradation and fast wear-out due to continuos use.

 

I'd advise against SF-based drives regardless of the amount of OP, and/or RAID/non-RAID setup.

Critical data storage is something I'd never trust any of them with, period.

My $0.02 only...

 

Duplicate post. Thank you wacky forum software.

 

What controller/SSD model should I look for, to use in non-TRIM enviroment? I'm definitely not the type of person to perform secure erase every week, just in case.

 

The real question is how much space per drive you actually need...along with what you're willing to spend. Then we can take it from there.

 

ajkula66, 50GB after OP is the minimum space per drive I need, that means 80GB minimum SSD size. I am not willing to waste more than $45 per 80GB drive, $65 per 120GB+ drive, and $120 per 180GB+ drive - and that is if it's able to handle everything without TRIM.

 

How I see it...

You either need a SLC drive that can deal with a beating - Micron P300 that I own several of comes to mind - but these will go over your intended budget no matter how you do the math. Another valid choice would be a server-grade drive along the lines of Intel 710 but these have very slow writes.

Now, if you could make a setup where you could run Intel's SSD Optimization tool - which is essentially their version of manual TRIM performed from the Toolbox - I'd say that any of non-SF Intel drives from 320 series on *should* do just fine. I'm not versed enough on RAID setups to know whether this is possible or not, let alone what it would entail if possible.

Good luck.

 

ajkula66, I forgot to mention that the adapter is dual mSATA to 2.5". So Intel-wise it's either 310 or SF-based 525 and 530. Two mSATA drives in place of single 2.5" is such a great idea... but the implementation turned out to have too many limitations.

 

Well, that piece of information puts a whole another spin on the situation...duh.

I believe that the newer Crucial drives can be TRIM'd manually using the Storage Executive but you may want to verify that prior to purchase. If I'm correct, then taking a chance with something along the lines of M550 or MX200 might be worth a shot...I'm not crazy about either of these drives, but would rather utilize them than a SF-based unit...

Good luck.

 

Speaking of the Storage Executive, you may want to enable this in test mode (if it is possible in RAID0) as it specifically talks about making all or most of the writes to the drive more sequential in nature.

Yes, it is similar to Samsung's RAPID, which I do not recommend (although I will test it in Windows 10 when I can...), but the philosophy is focused differently. At least on paper.

If you do happen to get Crucial drives that Storage Executive supports in their version of RAPID, you might want to test and see if it indirectly stops the need for TRIM in your RAID0 array.

 

How much performance and space you need?
I mean you can keep it in sync with say a HDD using software, or maybe a ram disk?
And I don't think you can trim anything w/o them being natively on intel sata...

 

baii, it depends on what I can make of it, really. I expect it's performance to be not worse than a single modern drive. If I can be sure that this thing won't destroy a couple of modern drives, performance and durability-wise, I'd put 512GB+ mSATA drives in RAID1. I could also consider putting a couple of cheap/used 80GB+ drives in RAID0 and using them for system - but I'm not sure if overprovisioning works correctly in this case. The controller used is JMS562, it turns out no way on Earth that thing does TRIM.

 

Just looked up that controller... it connects via USB?

See:
http://www.jmicron.com/PDF/brief/jms562.pdf

I wouldn't just get rid of it, or sell it to the next poor soul.

Return it if you can or there is only one thing left to do:





But whatever you do, don't use this for a boot drive or anything else needing real world performance vs. what any singe directly attached SATAII drive or above can offer.

 

tilleroftheearth, it has both SATA and USB3.0. After estimating return costs I put it on sale instead. I'd rather keep it if I find a suitable application for it, though.

 

Oh, it has eSATA? Okay, but this is to be used externally, correct?

How convenient is it to have to plug in an adaptor just to boot the system up? If this is even possible via eSATA?

I have had my share of going down dark roads like this in the past - they never end well.

Hope whoever you sell it too has a different expected use of it. And hope it sells fast for you too.

 

tilleroftheearth, it doesn't have eSATA. It has SATA and USB3.0. I thought I'd just put a couple of mSATA drives I have and call it a day, but adapter doesn't support TRIM and these drives are less known brands without fancy toolboxes and magiciancs etc., so I don't want to risk using them inside it. I already ordered couple 2.5" simple adapters for these drives. However, it would be nice if I make use of this adapter as well.

 

Okay, now I'm confused.

How can you connect it to your notebook without an eSATA port? Is there an external SATA port on your notebook?

That is why I assumed you'll be using it via USB.

 

tilleroftheearth, SYBA SD-ADA40085. There are other implementations using the very same JMS562, e.g. Startech. More expensive options with ASMedia controllers do not support TRIM either.

 

Okay, now I see. Ty.

This reminds me somewhat of MSI's (older) implementation of mSATA RAID0... not impressed.

So, this goes into the 2.5" drive bay and offers RAID on any system. Uhm, no.

Use the small mSATA drives elsewhere (individually), or, simply sell or donate them.

Buy a current 2.5" SSD like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 480GB or larger when it is on sale and, when this system dies or you want to finally retire it, you can use this great drive in a future system too.

Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler.

A solution that is offered (what can I do with these extra mSATA drives...) does not mean that it is a solution or direction that is to be pursued.

 

tilleroftheearth, actually I read on some forum how corporate guys run SSD RAIDs, including consumer models like 850 EVO, and care not about TRIM - though they do RAID5 and RAID10 mostly. For them, however, drive failure ain't something special, and, unlike me, they have no alternative; why run RAID in the first place if it is likely to decrease drive's lifespan considerably by itself.

Sadly, with NGFF wide adoption, I am running out of arguments for mSATA drives. =( I'll keep the ones I have, because they are more reusable than 2.5" in current-gen systems, though my next SSD will likely be big fat 2.5" indeed... That is unless I find some wallet-friendly mSATA drives to run well without TRIM, and/or someone finally figures how to run TRIM on such controllers, hehe. =)

 

TRIM for old/obsolete tech will never be worked on (at least not by MS, Intel or manufacturers of these adaptors).

mSATA drives are a miserable failure for me. I bought a stack of them to use as secondary drives in my TP's, but each and everyone I tried caused the systems to freeze with them installed. Had to pull the battery, take out the mSATA drive, wait a few minutes and do a dance on one foot before I could reassemble them and get them to boot up again (without the mSATA drive installed). Not to mention the heat issues and throttling/stress of the entire platform they caused. Or the reduced performance vs. otherwise comparable 2.5" SSD's.

2.5" SSD's are my top choice for most of my current platforms for a variety of reasons. Where mSATA's make sense is when I recommend a current NUC with a thermal pad ready to keep the mSATA (or M.2) SSD cool (early versions did not have this important feature and would hang/freeze up...).

Corporate guys don't spend their own money or their own time (and even if they do; they're paid well for it). Down time for them is a bonus, not an emergency.