How to optimize a new SSD (Tips for my first SSD)

I just bought this SSD:

Samsung 128GB SSD 2,5" SATA II
Model: 2.5" 128GB MLC SSD
SSD P/N: MMCRE28G5DXP-0VAD1
F/W: VBM9LD1Q (TRIM enabled)

I want to find out what to do after a clean install, is there any "optimization".
Should I install any drivers (Intel Matrix etc) that would help to speed up the SSD? What should be my first steps?

 

I recommend the following in this order:

1) Intel RST driver v10.1046

2) Disable System Restore

3) Disable Automatic Defragging by Win7

4) Disable 'Allow files on this drive to be indexed'

5) Set pagefile.sys to a fixed size (2-4GB for 'normal' use is plenty).

6) Disable 'Problem Reporting settings'

7) Consider applying the JBB's and stamatisx tweaks for your system.

8) Enjoy!


I probably forgot something - but others will let you know...

Good luck!

 

Here's some guides you can follow:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...g-ssd-tips-tricks-benchmarks.html#post6127614

The SSD Optimization Guide | The SSD Review

TweakTown’s Solid State Drive Optimization Guide Introduction :: TweakTown USA Edition

 

Some good advice there.

About the 'Disable System Restore': I usually do but if you have enough space I wouldn't disable it. System Restore can be a well functioning safety net that can get you out of troubles.

 

Thanks for the advice!

I rather keep the System Restore, because I'm worried a BSOD may appear any time, and I really don't want to lose my school work. If it's a difference of ~10% performance gain, then I may consider it, with some additional changes to Word/ PowerPoint auto-save (i.e. saves more often), to decrease the possibility of losing work.

I have few more questions

How do I check that, and is it recommended to change it?

Also, could someone redirect me to JBB's and statsmix tweaks, I can't find them here (probably hiding from me in a middle of a thread).

 

before installing the OS, flash the newest firmware VBM9MD1Q.
If you bought it used, do at least a "Security Erase" before.

 

If you search Google for 'JJB tweak' or 'Stamatisx tweak' you'll find them. 1st hit.

I usually just type JJB tweak in the address bar of Firefox or Chrome and land on it.

 

Stamatisx: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-series-4-5-965-chipsets-stamatisx-tweak.html

JJB: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-intel-series-4-5-965-chipsets-jjb-tweak.html

 

Are you sure this is for my drive? Is this the firmware ur talking about: Drivers and Downloads (I'm scared of bricking my SSD if i flash to wrong firmware, I need to be 100% certain)

Cheers

 

I just use ssd tweaker on the auto setting.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ssdtweaker/files/

 

To reduce wear, I found that a RAMDisk works quite well. I have a 200MB RAMDisk set up for my Firefox, Windows, Windows Live, Skype, etc to store their temporary files in. I find that in a few hours of use (browsing, chatting, etc) I can often collect over a thousand files totaling maybe 50-150MB in the RAMDisk.

It'd be great, though, if someone can come up with a comprehensive guide on setting up these RAMDisks as well as where to find temporary files that can be moved. I think something that's pretty bad for the SSD is especially any log files: for example, index.dat under /user/appdata/local/microsoft/windows/"temporary internet files" seems to keep track of every single website the computer has ever opened. People are reporting that it grows to pretty big sizes one bit at a time. So, over all that time you're doing one small write at a time, which.. meh. Might be pretty bad.

 

@ Up, thx for the suggestions.

Are you sure this is for my drive? Is this the firmware ur talking about: Drivers and Downloads (I'm scared of bricking my SSD if i flash to wrong firmware, I need to be 100% certain).
In addition to this, how do I flash the SSD? Do i just run the downloaded software or do i need to play with bootable usb sticks etc.

 

seems to be the same I used.
I used
http://ftp.us.dell.com/SATA/SAMSUNG_MULTI-DEVICE_A00_R276513.exe
also from Dell support.
Worked for my Samsung without any problems.
Please obey following:
“DEVICE MUST BE PLUGGED IN AT ALL TIMES DURING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS OR ELSE DEVICE MAY BE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AND RENDERED INOPERABLE.?

"YOU MUST BACK UP ALL DATA ON THE DRIVE AS THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS WILL ERASE ALL PRE-EXISTING DATA"
Flashing the firmware

 

Can anyone else confirm that this (VBM9MD1Q.) is the correct updated FW for my Samsung?
My SSD info again:
SSD P/N: MMCRE28G5DXP-0VAD1
F/W: (original) VBM9LD1Q

 

I did these two today.

1) Install Intel RST driver v10.1046

2) Disable System Restore

The Windows Welcome screen is virtually gone after those two tweaks above. It appears only for less than a second. The boot time is 7 seconds faster.

Before:

10/1/2010 7:39:21 AM
BootRacer (c) Copyright 2008-2010 Greatis Software
Freeware for non-commercial use.
Boot Time to Logon Event: 00:00:15 (15 seconds)
Total Boot Time to Desktop:00:00:30 (30 seconds)
Finished at: 7:39:21 AM
User Logon Waiting Time: 1 seconds
Best Time: 00:00:30 (30 seconds)

After:

10/21/2010 1:52:48 PM
BootRacer (c) Copyright 2008-2010 Greatis Software
Freeware for non-commercial use.
Boot Time to Logon Event: 00:00:15 (15 seconds)
Total Boot Time to Desktop:00:00:23 (23 seconds)
Finished at: 1:52:48 PM
User Logon Waiting Time: 1 seconds
Best Time: 00:00:23 (23 seconds)


Good luck with yours!

 

Unless System Restore has changed significantly (using XP here), it won't do a thing to help you with losing your school work. System Restore is meant to correct problems from program and driver installations, or registry tweaks. Essentially, it's more a backup of your system settings than your files, and apart from what are (usually daily) regular setting savings, it's updates when you install programs, drivers, or update Windows. Changing the auto-save is what would save your school work.