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    SSD Thread (Benchmarks, Brands, News, and Advice)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Greg, Oct 29, 2009.

  1. darQ96

    darQ96 Notebook Consultant

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    I actually had old wlan drivers to :eek:

    thanx for the link, rep up ;)
     
  2. Morpog

    Morpog Newbie

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    Damn,

    I had the same problem when betatesting the 1819Beta (the one with wear-leveling bug).
    Well the 1819GC was not public available too, if you understand me ;)

    [​IMG]
     
  3. nev_neo

    nev_neo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, as a matter of fact some people have had issues with the Intel SSD toolbox. Which did infact cause their drives to crap up.
    Of course, that could've been a problem resulting from the firmware fiasco, but it happened.

    Also, sometime back, intel and their damn proset wireless drivers for the 2200b/g wireless cards caused quite a bit of problem for some people, me being one of them. Atleast the default windows drivers and software worked.
     
  4. nev_neo

    nev_neo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Also, do these drivers support TRIM command passthrough, like the default windows drivers do ?
     
  5. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    they should. but actually, it's not that easy to prove, no clue if one actually tried to :)
     
  6. nev_neo

    nev_neo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah well.. I guess i'm going to be sticking with my regular Windows 7 drivers. Thnx
    :)
     
  7. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    So far the W7 drivers have been better performing than the OEM drivers for my wireless USB antennas (have two). Didn't even have to connect to the internet/do a windows update to get the second one.
     
  8. sgilmore62

    sgilmore62 uber doomer

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    the default win 7 sata drivers(written by intel) are dated 2006 and work better for my nvidia chipset(huge bottleneck with ssd no difference with hdd) than the latest nforce sata drivers. i think it is because intel and ms have the world by the nuts?

    The other day I downloaded Nforce SATA drivers from Toshiba UK support site and they worked! for my SSD! albeit slightly less performing in benchmarks, but they worked. My conclusion is that the nforce drivers were in name only and the nforce EURO package is really intel/ms.
     
  9. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Just for full disclosure here, I have previously stated that the 9.5.0.1037 IRST drivers have proven bullet-proof in all the systems I have tried.

    Until last night, ugh! Blue screen of death on an Acer TravelMate (worked actually for almost a week, what???).

    Fortunately, I simply had the client uninstall the drivers (over the phone) and problem solved, with no data loss, whew!

    Just a heads up! They aren't as solid as I thought yesterday morning.

    Okay, now I'm ready for all the 'I told you so comments'! :)
     
  10. vostro1400user

    vostro1400user Notebook Deity

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    so far no blue screen in five laptops here with 9.5.0.1037.
     
  11. gbporkpie

    gbporkpie Notebook Enthusiast

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    I should probably make a thread on this but can you (or anyone?) suggest some good laptops with an Intel SSD like that? Not a minilaptop/netbook but with some actual processing power and a FullHD screen, preferably 17". I'd really rather not go through the hassle of installing the SSD myself and breaking the warranty. Thanks.
     
  12. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I don't think any laptops are sold with Intel SSDs...
     
  13. LaptopGun

    LaptopGun Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm out on a lark here, but maybe one of the Clevo retailers. I know Sager and Exotics both let the buyer specify what kind of thermal paste gets used, for (Zeus') sake: if they get that hyper detailed, why wouldn't they offer an Intel (at a healthy markup...).

    I think best bet is wait for the right price and buy your own Intel. Self OS installation is unavoidable me thinks.
     
  14. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    Several Clevo retailers/builders have been offering the G1 for at least 6 months that I've seen.

    Installing an SSD wouldn't void a warranty. It's the same form factor as a laptop harddrive.
     
  15. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    In principle it wouldn't...

    But it really depends on the company...

    If you have a HDD slot - then you're in the clear.

    If you have to remove the palmrest as in the Vaio SZ and Z then Sony may argue that you aren'T allowed to swap the HDD...
     
  16. rmjanzen

    rmjanzen Newbie

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    @ronan_zj
    Can you tell us the big differences with the 1819 (maybe some release notes if they are done yet) and when this fw is expected to be released.
     
  17. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I told you so!

    nah, i now have to get rid of them on my laptop (which had no performance gain anyways). i have to use it for a gig in 20 days, and, well, i should be able to rely on it by then :)
     
  18. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    hp elitebooks?
     
  19. gbporkpie

    gbporkpie Notebook Enthusiast

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    I will want the OS on the SSD right? Assuming a Windows 7 disk is shipped with the laptop how much of a hassle is it to install Windows 7 to the completely empty SSD drive? Does the laptop even recognise the DVD player if it doesn't have it's original HDD attached? Really clueless here :/
     
  20. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    yes, all no problems.
     
  21. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Just dump the CD in the drive and the rest is walkthrough.
     
  22. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Samsungs new Flash

    Single-Level Cell NAND flash has traditionally been faster than MLC NAND, but Samsung’s new DDR MLC NAND chip reads data at a very fast 133 Mbps. It is designed to replace the company's single data rate MLC NAND, which has an overall read performance of 40Mbps.

    sounds like some fast chips :) i guess sata3 will be obsolete before it actually gets deployed :)

    i guess they are about the same as the new chips from intel: 30nm, 3bit mlc.
     
  23. Jackboot

    Jackboot Notebook Deity

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    You can order Lenovo notebooks with Intel SSD through several of their sales channels...I don't think directly from their website though.

    Even then, Thinkpads are designed so that the owner can easily swap drives by removing a single screw and sliding the drive out. It's actually easier than changing memory.
     
  24. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Most people here prefer installing the OS themselves without all the bloatware. Installing the SSD should be a simple 5 minute job, just find the support manual and it will usually have a step by step guide (at least Dell's do). Everything else will work just fine. Just Google (or search NBR) for replacing your notebook hard drive (it's the exact same process for SSD) to ease your mind in its simplicity.
     
  25. LaptopGun

    LaptopGun Notebook Evangelist

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    Didn't know they offered them. Regardless, yeah its certainly easier to swap out hard drives than to mess with the RAM (have to remove the keyboard). I'll add a brain dead vaveat though: remember to put the bracket on your new harddrive (4screws so its not bad). Lenovo's design makes it practically impossible to pull the hard drive out without the bracket.
     
  26. tissot

    tissot Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just got the Adamo. It came with a Samsung SSD PB22-CS3 TM 256GB. Good or bad?
     
  27. Kermee

    Kermee Notebook Evangelist

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    Intel has released a new firmware (02HD) and firmware update tool (version 1.5) to fix the issue with the firmware update process on 34nm (G2) Intel® X25-M SSDs (80GB and 160GB).

    Intel recommends that end users Download this firmware update tool and upgrade your SSD

    • This new firmware provides Trim support (on 80GB and 160GB) and better sequential write performance (on 160GB)

    • If you experience any issues during the upgrade process contact Intel Customer Support

    Download Link: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18363
     
  28. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Intel, you're in my good books again. :)

    Okay Samsung, your turn.

    tissot,

    Good or bad depends on what you effectively paid for it - use less than 50% of its capacity to keep it as good as possible. ;)
     
  29. narsnail

    narsnail Notebook Prophet

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    OoooooooOooo nice, mine should be here tomorrow :)

    Kinda poop that the sequential wasn't upped on the 80gb version though..
     
  30. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    narsnail,

    its because the 80GB version is using less RAM chips - this is common on most SSD's; the smaller, the slower they are...
     
  31. T61Dumb

    T61Dumb Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks! I think I'll wait a couple of weeks and let the guinea pigs (aka early downloaders) risk their computers with this. Intel doesn't exactly generate confidence lately, ya know what I mean?
     
  32. narsnail

    narsnail Notebook Prophet

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    I figured it had something to do with the smaller capacity, its just weird that a simple firmware update can yield a 25% increase in sequential write speeds, ah well, im not too worried about those, more so the small write speeds which is blows everything else out of the water in, and the TRIM support is key as well.
     
  33. tissot

    tissot Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where can I download new firmware for a Samsung drive?
     
  34. Kermee

    Kermee Notebook Evangelist

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    I made backups... I'll update my 160GB G2's when I get home after I back them up. Just did the 80GB in my Acer 1810T...

    [​IMG]

    TRIM! Time to find and load the Intel RST drivers ;)

    Cheers,
    Kermee
     
  35. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Kermee, when you install the IRST drivers, make sure you reboot a couple of times (at least). I've noticed that on the second, sometimes on the third re-boot the drivers are really 'on'. (Meaning the O/S has integrated them into itself and uses them fully - maybe the first/second reboot is still installing/configuring something on some systems?

    Make sure you do a before/after on your G2 160GB!
     
  36. Kermee

    Kermee Notebook Evangelist

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    Awesome! Thanks for the tips!

    Will do a before & after!

    Cheers,
    Kermee
     
  37. ronan_zj

    ronan_zj Notebook Evangelist

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    no samsung SSD upgrade frimware, we all get pranked by Samsung. lol...
     
  38. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Well hi, me again :) I couldn't wait and updated and did the benchmark again. So if you don't remember my previous results were:
    [​IMG]

    And with new firmware they are:
    [​IMG]

    Have a good night (at least at my timezone) :D
     
  39. ronan_zj

    ronan_zj Notebook Evangelist

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    nonono, dont use 100MB test size, coz u are acutally testing the buffer.
    try 1000MB with 10 rounds or even higher size.
     
  40. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Metsn, Thanks!

    Too bad the SSD Toolbox is unavailable to download right now - I would be interested to see a before/after with that too.

    ronan_zj, maybe I'm wrong, but it shouldn't matter for the Intel's because the DRAM cache they use is pretty puny at 16MB (G1's) or 32MB (G2's) anyway? What are your thoughts on this data point?
     
  41. ronan_zj

    ronan_zj Notebook Evangelist

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    I dont know how big the Onboard Cache in Intel, so I can't make any judgement here. For the SSDs I have, the 100 test size result ls alway look better than 1000MB one, coz most of time the 100mb test size was testing the Onboard Cache, such as Samsung has 128MB. Even my samsung 256 has degraded, the 100MB result is always tend to be higher. such as seq writting can be 120mb/s. However when I tried 1000MB, the actually speed came out, it was 60-70mb/s. IMO, I was pretty sure 60-70 seq writting was the real speed coz when I copied 100G files from my another SSD to this one, the final constant writting speed was around 60-70.
     
  42. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    there aren't any 80gb intels available here :( i soo want one for my media center.. it's slooooow (with an mtron ssd in :))

    no actually, i need it as the mtron disk is too big and doesn't fit.. as it's.. too big.. doh.. can't write today :)
     
  43. notyou

    notyou Notebook Deity

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    Hey guys,

    I'm looking to pick up a SSD over the holidays and I've been looking at the 2nd Gen Intel drives. Are there any that match up in large/small read/writes?
     
  44. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    no. intel is considered best consumer choice in that area.
     
  45. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    My 80GB G2 is scheduled to arrive via Santa (Er.. FedEx) sometime tomorrow. It's probably going in my AS1410 (Also arriving tomorrow) and I'll leave my 30GB Vertex in the desktop, as I have 4TB of storage for all my movies and music whereas I need 80GB portable.
     
  46. giangdude

    giangdude Notebook Consultant

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    My 80GB G2 was supposed to arrive tomorrow too, but they delivered it today (UPS)! Sucks though, since I won't be home until 9:00pm. Hopefully no one is in a stealing mood today
     
  47. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    That's going to be some portable solution! Congrats.

    Make sure the firmware is the TRIM enabled one and swap away.

    Also keep a watch on the % filled on the SSD - if you want the fast user experience to be the same as when you bought it. (I've found >50% filled will degrade the SSD's performance - at least on a Torqx, not tried an Intel, yet).

    giangdude,

    where did you say you live in Arizona? J/K lollolol
     
  48. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    with intel, the official limit is 80% full. haven't hit that actively yet myself.
     
  49. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    It's basically going to be Windows 7 + office applications + about 20-30GB of MP3s. Maybe less.
     
  50. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    should work nicely, then :)
     
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