Just got an SSD, what now?

So I just got this drive:
Newegg.com - Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - SSD

Loaded everything up, LOVING it...Man, I know I have read people saying how awesome they are, but it is truly amazing! Ive been in IT well over 10 years and I haven't been this excited since I got a 4TB nas (back when a 40GB hard drive was HUGE)....
Anyway, someone mentioned something that I should run TRIM on it or something to that effect. I am running win7 ultimate x64.. From my very limited knowledge it is for performance increases, just not sure how to do it etc.
TIA

 

install your os, turn off all search/indexing at the OS level, and keep doing your backups.

properly implemented, trim runs at the device driver and device firmware level taking care of every device write operation. Make sure you've got current versions of both firmware and chipset/disk controller software.

 

Trim is running. Read around because there are some things you want to be aware of. SSDs do not work well with System Restore in many cases and I would advise to get a Crystal Score now and watch occasionally to see if performance drops. If it does this is most likely the reason and there is a way to test.

Download the Intel SSD Toolbox. It will be handy.

 

Also, download the latest intel RST driver for a better ahci driver, disable search, system restore, hibernation, and pagefile (providing you have >=4gb ram) and you should be good to go!

 

is this RST ahci driver compatible with any other SSD's?

Thanks

 

Should be. It seemed to be passing TRIM when I was using a Crucial SSD.

And congrats, Wimmers. Welcome to the club.

 

is it better than MS AHCI?

 

Yes. It's designed for the drive.

 

What version should I use?

 

^^ the newest.... still loven' my G1 80GB intel!

 

You may also want to check you're running the latest firmware.

 

Thanks for all the tips. Do I want the RST for F6 (dont think so as im already installed). Also, whats best way to determine if firmware and drivers are updated?

Looks like this the link to download the RST at?
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...=Intel®+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel®+RST)

 

At

intel drivers pour Raid/Sata/Ata/Ahci

is the newest version(WHQL)

 

I have tested aqnd I didnt find any performance difference whatsoever between stock and the Intel drivers. I use the Intel now just because....

Great advice and to the point.

 

Whats the purpose of deleting the page file with the SSD?

 

It just eats up already meager space on an SSD to no benefit. If you have a lot of RAM (>4GB), you shouldn't have bigger than maybe a 512MB pagefile.

If you routinely run out of memory, you may want to leave it enabled and 2-4GB in size, but very few consumers will run into the limitations of 4GB of RAM.

 

Well, if you need to diagnose a Windows crash, it's worth noting that without an adequately sized pagefile, you won't get a memory dump, but that's a rather specific case.

 

If you use more than your ram can store at anytime without page file, your windows will BSOD as well.

Also, pagefile will have a lot of read/write and will degenerate your SSD very fast (or is there any improvements for this in windows 7?)

 

I can't remember the last time I ever thought about a system crash. Does that occur with Win7 at all? With respect to RAM, you have to try pretty darn hard to get anywhere near low memory with 4Gb as I use. I can start 50 plus programs and still not be anywhere near the 50% mark of ram.

Trust me... unless you are doing some pretty intensive stuff you will be more than fine. I have been without Pagefile since 2007 and not once have I crashed or had any ill effect whatsoever. I don't game but my work environment makes things VERY task oriented with large media and Acrobat Reports where I will also be running other programs like Photoshop and Word simultaneously.

It gains you 4+ Gb of SSD space back.

 

Hey Les, I remember I used to have one program that actuaqlly pretty much required a swap file called NetObjects. Other than that one, I cannot recall a specific one.

I may try no swap file and see what happens

I have not used that program in years and am sure it has changed much if i ever decide to use it again.

 

Thank you for elaborating on this! I'm new to the SSD world so this clears up some questions!

 

ok, just so I'm clear (leaning towards an Intel X25-M 160gb), when I get this drive I should do the following:

1) Install your os, turn off all search/indexing at the OS level, and keep doing your backups.

2) Make sure you've got current versions of both firmware and chipset/disk controller software

3) get a Crystal Score now and watch occasionally to see if performance drops

4) download the latest intel RST driver for a better ahci driver, disable search, system restore, hibernation, and pagefile

This makes me want to pay someone 20 bucks to do it for me I guess it will be a good learning experience figuring all that stuff out on my own.

 

It's not that hard to do You seem to have a pretty complete list of things to do, so a quick Google will get you the process for accomplishing each of them.

 

Sounds good - one last question, whats the best way to get a score with crystal disk program?
Chevy, I could help you out if needed - send me a pm or something and I can get on your system remotely and do the changes - wont take more than 5-10min

Also...FWIW - the 80gb I just got just dropped to $194 at newegg today...DOH!

 

Google crystal disk mark

 

Thanks! That would be awesome. I will be ordering the drive sometime this week.

 

Okay, question: In #3 "disable drive indexing" in these steps, The Win7 SSD Performance Optimization Guide, my pop up says do you want to only do C: or C: and all files and subfolders. Which is it?

 

All files and subfolders. If you just do C, it will only disable indexing on the files in the root, and none of the files in any folders.