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

1. My first Samsung is split into two partitions, one is the system drive with a 40 GB partition and the rest is where I install all of my programs and games.

The first partition is only using 7 GB's of the 40 GB partition. The Game partition is 75 percent full. My other drive in the Ultra Bay II Adapter is full of music, anime and pictures.

I will encode videos and have firefox open with 30 Tabs and it doesn't slow down. I have the page file turned off, super fetch and defrag turned off. If you call turning those off tweaking the system than I guess I have. I do use Ccleaner and Glary Utilities. For my AV, I use MSE.

 

I know this is an SSD thread, but I was considering the 640 GB Scorpio Blue drive (need more space!).

This review:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/640gb-mobile-hdd,2451.html

shows that it is significantly worse than the 500 GB Scorpio Blue I have currently.

Theoretically, it should be faster as the higher density of 320GB/platter should be faster than the 250GB/platter I'm currently using. But also, again 'theoretically', the 500GB 7200.4 Seagate should annihilate the Scorpio Blue, but real world use shows that it doesn't.

What I'm wondering is; have the HD makers given up on performance, mechanical drives because of the availability of SSD's?

Each new mechanical hard drive that gets introduced seems to have worse and worse performance than it's predecessor, while SSD prices are going up instead of down.

In addition, traditional HD manufacturers are not jumping on the SSD bandwagon - even though there are random 'announcements' here and there from Hitachi and WD - there are still no products being shipped.

This, to me is indicating that SSD's may be simply a 'blip' on the radar and faster, higher capacity and much cheaper alternatives are going to show up soon.

Does anyone else feel this in today's storage climate?

I'm probably wrong, but I really feel that current SSD's are anti-climatic (after all the buildup I've read about them).

 

tilleroftheearth, a netbook is too slow for me. I use office a lot and read a lot of PDF files. I also use Outlook/MSN a lot and can have about 20 tabs open at once. I also listen to music with my built in optical and sometimes do Photoshop and a bit of Youtube.
I also do the general stuff like downloading pictures from my camera.

I have Office installed, my Sony apps (which is quite a lot), Adobe Reader, Photoshop and Cute PDF. I do not have any anti-virus software installed.

55GB should be ok still, may be others might say differently.

 

3,000 point drop in HDD suite

 

anybody knows whether the firmware of current Dell OEM SSD 256G from dell website is VBM19D1Q? is this version same as VBM18C1Q in samsung/corsair with GC feature?

 

No! Definitely not the same according to Greg Ross (see previous few posts).

As to what firmware version of Samsung SSD Dell will ship you - Good Luck!

My client got an 'ancient' version without GC and his is the '19' version - just a few weeks ago (about 6) on a $6,000+ workstation series Dell notebook.

 

I have 256G in my E6400, and I gave intel SSD to my friend about 3 month ago. DELL hasnt release any new firmware yet, coz Samsung said the new firmware would be released at the end of Nov, and the firmware only has TRIM feature, no GC.

 

samsung said "19" version SSD is customized for DELL compay.

 

Correction, 'crippled' by Dell company.

 

Well...I have yet another question... I also own a Dell Mini 10v.

In theory...could I not just take out the drives from my Sony, attach them to a Sata->USB adapter, plug them into the Dell's USB port and flash away?

I'm sure this isn't the best solution since the flash for the most part is for the SLC drives anyway...

I've been quickly glancing through the posts in this particular post, but can anyone recap about the supposed Samsung Firmware Flash that's suppose to be release at the end of November?
--Is it for SLC or MLC drives?
--Is this an End-User flashing software (like BIOs update from manufactures?)
--Is it for the Samsung Branded drives, or for Samsung Re-badged drivers (e.g. OCZ Summit, Corsair)

On the topic of flashing drives...has anyone every even try to flash a Samsung drive at all? Is this even possible? It just seems like these drives are un-flash-able, and what you get is what you're stuck with.

Glad I could help someone whose been answering my questions

 

I'm pretty sure you need a Sata port 0 or 1 to flash firmware updates to drives. Along with the prerequisite IDE/Compatibility mode for those ports.

 

Hi all - 1st time poster hear (please be gentle!)

Have followed this thread (and other ones new and old). I'm now somewhat confused.

BACKGROUND:

* Just upgraded one of my old Dell Inspiron 8600 (single core) machines to a newer Dell Lattitude D620 (duo core) Intel T2080 @ 1.73Ghz. 2GB Ram (soon to up to max 4GB).

* Currently running Xp Pro (32bit) + thinking would be mostly silly to run Windows 7 ?? (too many older external hardware items that would no doubt suffer)

* I am a photographer, shoot RAW, have loads of IDE (PATA) 2.5" drives in LOADS of Dell Bays and also external 2.5" enclosures.

* New D620: MAIN HDD SLOT (as opposed to 2nd HDD / DVD/CD or Battery Bay) is of course SATA annd not PATA.

-

OK ..... So (rightly or wrongly ) I have just acquired the Samsung 128GB SSD as mentioned in the TITLE above, for £220 delivered form an Ebayer.

* WHAT TO DO WHEN IT ARRIVES ??

I have been reading about lack of firmware from Samsung and find all the other things about how I should configure it fairly detailed anyway (WITHOUT this further worry).

* Should I wait to see if Samsung brings out a Firmware to include GC / Trim or whatever?

* Is Trim feature something that is still used under XP Pro 32 ... or is there other software or 'tricks' to perform when using it in XP ?

* What about the sizing of it?

* What things should I put on HDD in the 2nd bay ?? (and should I try to leave that HDD in the 2nd bay permantly? ... at the moment I shove all sorts of HDDs in there OR USB -linked Modular Bay (via Docking Station)... without thinking or caring which location.

* I have (for many years now) partitioned my HDDs into C: XP & Sysytem crucial stuff; D: Programs; E: Files and Folders. Would you still partition a SSD, simply to keep track of what is kept where more easily? I know that in HDDs I find that this makes regular defragging of 'C:' much faster and more easy. Also I know that parts of the HDD are totally seperate from most of the 'windoze' OS nonsense. ** I appreciate that I will NOT be defragging an SSD !! **

ANY pointers would be really appreciated

I rebuild from scratch HDDs with XP Pro SP2>3 on my 2x Dell Inspiron 8600 laptops, almost with relative ease now (although it still takes yonks !!). It would seem that once I have done this on my new SSD, it would be good to know that I (hopefully) would not have to do it again for a very long time!* (*I understand that SSDs do not like to have HDD images cloned back to them via Acronis etc ??).

SORRY to waffle on so much in my 1st post !!

Andrew

 

as corsair P256 is re-badged MMDOE56G5MXP-0VB, but from http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-flash-ssd-charts/Write-Throughput-h2benchw-3.12,908.html
samsung MMDOE56G5MXP got better performance. anybody could explain this performance difference? is it resulted from different firmware (assume same hardware)?

 

THE FOLLOWING FROM ANOTHER FORUM SUMS UP A FEW OTHER CONCERNS FOR ME:

Happy Hopping 2[H]4U, 5.4 Years

<Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamish Campbell
There's really no reason to even consider SLC for desktop use. An X-25MG2 combined with a 1.5 or 2 TB mechanical HDD is about the best option for desktop storage right now for most people.
some1 said you have to turn off Defrag, Prefetch, SuperFetch, page filing on a SSD.>

So what happens if you have a SSD and a mechanical HDD like what you say?

Especially page filing, I like my page filing to be fast, so I would like to have it on my SSD, but the write cycle is every few sec., and w/ MLC, I only have 10K write, so what would you do?
__________________

Today, 03:19 AM
SicKlown42012 Gawd, 1.3 Years


This is a page from Microsoft with some general SSD tweaks. Unlike most forum posters, they advise to keep the page file on the SSD.

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/200...rives-and.aspx
__________________

Today, 07:19 AM
Happy Hopping 2[H]4U, 5.4 Years


That's for Win 7, I have no plan to go to win 7 even if it were free. I'm happy w/ XP Pro

Is there any1 using XP Pro that alter their sys. setting due to SSD?

 

Is using RAMDisk a good idea on SSD (or indeed HDD) laptop? Or is it a recipe for disaster and confusion (except for the most anal and geeky end user?)

At least Dataram provide a VERY comprehensive PDF User Manual and FAQ for their RAMDisk v3.5. It has got me thinking again for sure.

 

hey guys
i was wondering which ssd would be optimal for a netbook?
and where I may be able to purchase it as well
thanks!
i plan on using the netbook just for web browsing and lectures for college

 

You might be able to get away with the 30GB OCZ Agility, or 60GB Agility if you need the space. The drives cost about $150 and $230 respectively, though you can sometimes get them cheaper.

 

also, it depends on if your netbook support sata2

 

Even if it does not, the performance increase is still going to be good. SATA II speeds (greater than 150MB/s) would probably only be useful for long term sequential reads.

 

Boy, do I know what you mean! I think I agree! Seems like in many ways SSD's are non starters. Where is the really new and fast drive?

Still, must admit that I have not tried the Intel 106GB G2

 

I have clean installed Win 7 and many programs on an Intel G2 160GB SSD and mostly because it was on an AMD Opteron desktop, I was not 'Wowed' overall.

For more details on that experience see my post a few pages back in this thread.

I really feel that SSD's seem like a temporary stepping stone to get to ????, but I wish I knew what ???? was, so I could sidestep all this SSD hoopla and get to the real deal.

 

ajc07977,

I haven't used XP for almost 3 years - I've always preferred Vista x64 to any 32 bit O/S. When Win 7 was in Beta, then RC offerings I tried it and haven't switched back. XP and Vista not only seems archaic now, but modern programs (especially photo editing programs that can convert RAW files - I too am a photographer) not only need everything Win 7 x64 can give them, but more too.

You may need to upgrade a few items (scanner, printer, etc.) to go to 64 bit, but once that hurdle is over, you'll never look back.

Not only is XP 'dead' to MS and all other software developers going forward, but Win 7 x64 is the future - especially for memory hungry RAW converters that will eat as much computer resources as you can throw at them.

You're welcome to stay behind with XP, but since you already want the modern conveniences like SSD's to help with your craft, I would already be changing my mind about 'even if it's free - I don't want it'.

As to using a RAM disk, I also revisited that idea in the old thread (see first post of this thread for link and do a search) and even with using half of 8 GB RAM, there was little to recommend a RAM disk for productive work.

Except maybe for benchmarks or bragging rights.

 

For a netbook, I would be looking at the new Intel Value SSD.

$85 dollars for 40GB.

Search the old thread (see beginning of this thread for old link).

 

So i bought another SSD drive for my latest laptop. I bought a PM800 Samsung 1.8 drive for my Sony TT.

I mentioned earlier that i bought one earlier this year for my main laptop my Sony SZ. I also bought one for my Sony TX and I bought one for a family members laptop.

I don't think i can go back to using a mechanical hard drive again.
There are too many positives for me to ever consider seriously a mechanical drive again.

 

If the cost of entry is not prohibitive, then SSD's are alluring.

Especially for notebooks users is their greatly increased durability; compared to mechanical hard drives.

If the performance per dollar is the goal, then there are (many) other things you can do to ensure a system offers maximum performance - a good SSD may even further that performance, but that should be the last step for most computer users.

(Maximizing RAM, upgrading to a better CPU, or even switching platforms (Intel instead of AMD) and/or Video Cards and even considering utilizing a program like eBoostr (or Braidwood in the near future) may more directly affect a particular users computing experience than a simple SSD upgrade might).

 

It's because of superfetch and caching that windows do to a new system. It has nothing to do with GC. The light tells you that the system tries to access the SSD, while GC involves the drive trying to refresh by itself. This just shows me that you don't have sufficient knowledge of SSDs. I suggest not giving too much advice to others.

 

I've used Intel and Samsung SSD. Heck, I even used the old of yore Sandisk SSD. And in the end I choose Samsung, for two years now. I even post benchmarks of the Intel and Samsung drive for comparison. It's kinda odd for you to be swayed by davepermen while completely ignore others in this thread who also have a lot of experience with SSD. Don't get swayed too easily by any single individual is my advice.

 

just use it the same way as any drive, only without defrag

do the partitioning same way, won't hurt

 

HEY. Let's not start getting hostile towards each other shall we? I know davepermen(kinda ). If anything, he was probably worst of the doubters of the SSD world, whether it would screw up his work due to possible "stuttering". Now he is not, because he had a good experience with it.

 

Ooops! Some days it is good job I am not working at the moment - I had 4 hours sleep last night (having gone to bed when it was already getting VERY light outside! ). A real geeky SSD brainstorming and info munching and crunching night for me!

THANKS to tilleroftheearth and darQ96 for you replies.

I kinda know that it makes sense to go to x64 version of 'whatever' OS these days + more obviously Windows in '7' guise ... but I am real 'chicken' because of having a lot of older (but till worthy) hardware that may cause problems. I mean I am sure my (newER) Dell Lattitude D620 will be fine ... but there are LOADS of things I plug into it / attach to it (via Cardbus32 / USB ... Firewire (although the last one is no big deal, bar accessing my EOS MkIIN PERSONAL functions occasionally). IN FACT there are some things I use that are hard enough to get XP support for LET ALONE Vista or higher !!

Anyway - 2 options:

1) Get stuck in very quickly and use all my 32bit programs and hardware + without any real 'problems' after optimising the SSD in the 'correct' ways.

2) Have a REALLY steep learning curve AND £spend money I haven't got on new hardware AND software ... to totally optimise the speed of my machine.
HOWEVER it is 'only' going to be able to use 4GB physical memory in whatever x64 OS I run on the Lattitude 620 .... vs. 3.25? GB available in XP x32.

SO ALTERNATIVELY ... (and seeing I have easy ability to boot form main (normal) drive location OR 2nd BAY HDD/SDD (as per my older Inspiron 8600) ... what about a middle way / or no. (3) option ??

Can I dual boot XP 32 and x64 '7' ??

Is this 'easier', as they can obviously reside on totally seperate drives? Or is it not possible or workable?

What about these sort of 'emulated XP modes' that the top versions of Windows 7 supports - any good ? ... do the work? .... can you have x64 version of '7' and have support for x32 version of XP ??

-

Sorry LOTS of questions. Yet a few good answers would put me on the right path.

You see in my head (aside from mental effort) I see that x64 version of '7' would equal spending a lot more overall = a) £ of new (top) level of '7' OS; b) £ of upgrading RAW software (although Capture One v.5 Pro looks fab after 2 days of trial) c) £ of later PS (CS3 or 4?) in x64 guise d) £ of many new adapters and printers etc etc ...

... and after all that - I could still have loads of x64 related driver issues !?

* How would pre-fetch and booting up etc work / having totally different drivers on 2 different drives (if I had XP Pro x32 on one .... and Windows 7 x64 on another?) ... or is that just stupid ??

-

Any other suggestions and observations gratefully accepted. I tend to get comfortable with having the 'very best hardware I can (or CANNOT) afford - laptop, car, DSLR cameras etc etc) ... I would rather have a slightly 'yesterday model' that WAS top-of-the-range and is still gutsy ... one I could possible tweak the performance to maximise it ... rather than 'having the latest and greatest' that i) I cannot afford, ii) Is to untested or not hugely adopted yet iii) Is going to mean LOADS of extra learning and workflow / where all my add ons or accessories will no longer work*

* A HUGE reason for me going a Lattitude 620 route over Mac Mini Duo : I can use same docking stations, 2nd (PATA) HDD bays, D/Dock etc etc (and obviously all the same hardware that I use with it)

Thanks for hearing me waffle

 

well, I see a 3. solution as a win7 32 bit version
if your hardware is operational under xp 32 bit, i see no reason why it should not work under se7en 32 bit...
also, win7 will automatically align partitions if you format your drive while installing se7en itself, while, if you chose xp, you'll need to do it manually, and, I know it is not a big deal, but...also, w7 will do some tweaks itself if it is installed on ssd...

again, my advice is to go with se7en 32bit and not to optimize anything, use ssd just as any other hdd...
only disable defrag, if it is not disabled automatically
that should be about....well...all

 

Cheers - I might just do that (32bit Win7 route) !

Why? ...

... I am so close to just doing XP Pro 32bit, for now, (as currently have used for last God knows how many years) ... BUT ...

i) Presumably performance of Samsung* (* hopefully with TRIM and/or GC firmware support VERY soon) ... or indeed any SSD will be theoretically better in 7 ?

ii) I am going to get benefits of latest Windows Software and support (heck I might not need to go back to XP Pro SP2 to get a Windows mobile machine to work properly re: Active Sync !! - crazy that it will not marry AT ALL with an SP3 machine).

iii) I will be moving forwards with my I.T. knowledge and features, rather than staying doggedly in the past.

iv) I will hopefully NOT run the risk of (only for sake of photo editing etc) have potentially loads of driver issues by going the 64bit route - or have LOADS of older hardware in effect made 'junk' because software support often ended at XP era.

-

So what are the differences between the top 2 or 3 versions of Windows 7 ?

Maybe I should enroll REAL quick on a further education course ... get a .edu email address (or whatever) and get some cheaper student versions !??

 

I have a D620 running windows 7 x64.
Haven't had any problems with it, didn't even ask for any drivers or anything.
ofcourse mine doesn't have the fingerprint reader, so that helps.

I don't have an SSD in it either, using a nice 160GB drive in there.. its my backup laptop.

 

Hmmm ... decisions decisions !

I have no doubt that x64 Windows 7 is going to be fine on my D620. Just not so sure about all my equipment that I have attached to my docking station a lot of the time + driver issues.

Why do I like to complicate my life so much anyway ! ? The 'geek' in me always wants to optimise and fiddle I guess. Maybe a reason I didn't go the 'Mac' route recently ... which may have been more sensible (from a speed and productivity stand point ... more so as I am a photographer). Anyway - I have my Dell 620 now + am pleased with it so far. Time to speed it up though (2GB ram to 4GB ram) and intall SSD when it arrives in next day or so.

As I am so nerdy and particular on how i set my drives up + also the time I spend learning certain software applications - I do not want to waste precious time, while I am out of work too .... on efforts that are not going to make optimum sense).

 

I don't think your CPU is even 64 bit capable? We have a bunch of D620's that I've been upgrading to T7200's because they had T2500's which are a 32 bit only CPU.

Also, the chipset in the D620 will only address 4gb of memory. Ours are maxed out at 3.5 visible in Windows due to 512mb being taken for other addressing (video card etc)

 

Nope, no hostility here. Just offering some advice. And I'm not wrong, there are others here who have used many SSDs (like ronan j for example). It's best to weigh everybody's opinion equally.

 

zephir,

two hours ago, I read your post. I almost responded immediately, but since this is new information to me, I decided to try it on my system.

(Note, I know about SuperFetch and the caching it does, what is 'new' to me is to leave the computer logged off, but still running - this has always seemed 'stupid' to me - as it serves no purpose except to keep the HD spinning and the computer gobbling power for no end benefit to the user).

I logged off my VAIO and I must say I was surprised that the HD light even lit up at all. But, after a whole five minutes of less than 1 second HD flickering (at a time), the HD light calmed down to almost zero. I thought that maybe because of doing this on my Scorpio Blue drive I should give it a little longer, so I left it for over an hour and it still didn't show anything more than a random flicker of HD activity.

This is contrary to what I reported about the Samsung SSD, which also btw, was an upgrade to Win 7 - not a clean install as your first sentence suggests. On that system, currently over the course of 4 days (I just phoned my client again and asked him if he was still logging off at night; yes he is and yes in the morning the HD light is solid), the HD light stays solid, right until he logs in and it finally lights up only when he's making demands on the SSD.

I am not the kind of person to get swayed by any one person. I am also not the kind of person to get swayed by the masses too.

Remember that I'm here to learn, reading every post, offering my experiences as I see fit and combining and melding that information with each new direct experience I am offered with SSD's. When all is said and done, davepermen comes closest to what I have directly experienced with them.

A rather startling fact is that even the Intel G2 that I previously wished for is a bit anti-climatic for me. As I've stated before in previous posts, there are many other ways to get the most performance for your dollar and to me, SSD's should come last, not first in that upgrade process.

I am not afraid to stand alone with this idea. I have done my research and this is the conclusion I come to at this time. I'm also not afraid to change my mind, but not because of what somebody says, but rather from what new information I can learn and verify on my own.

Remember that at one time 'everyone' knew the earth was flat? Call me crazy but SSD's are not 'the single best upgrade you can do', in my humble opinion. At least not for the money.

I don't jump on bandwagons, I don't wear designer clothes and I don't get sidetracked by people that are obviously against me (no, it's not just me thinking this, this time; even IntelUser picked up on that).

I have read and accepted much useful information from you, but these constant attacks are rather draining. Worse, they do not continue this (SSD) conversation in a beneficial manner for anyone.

Please read, and re-read the posts I've offered and if anything seems ambiguous just ask and I'll be happy to clarify.

I would much rather say I'm wrong and have learned something from one wiser than me, than to start hurling insults at each other over a misread paragraph or two, or, unfounded feelings of antagonism towards me.

 

ajc07977,

Trust me, this is exactly how I felt around three years ago when I was deciding and torturing myself with all the 'what-ifs'. Back then, there really were pitfalls, but today jumping to 64 bit is a LOT easier.

I did the dual boot thing (XP/Vista), and realizing that I hadn't even did the Windows upgrades in over 4 months in XP told me how much I thought I needed it. When I formatted the drive to do a clean install of Vista x64, I accidently installed Vista 32 bit - Wow! What a dog Vista is in 32 bit mode! That lasted about 20 minutes and I used the correct Vista Ultimate x64 version and like I said, I have never looked back.

On the cusp of 2010, I don't think that you should be worried that 64 bit is too bleeding edge. But that's what dual boot is for! Install both - use/work on the one you're comfortable with and test, test, test the other!

Yes, Capture One Pro 5.0 outputs gorgeous files - easily blows away the quality that LR 2.5 and LR3b produce - I too am tempted with C1 Pro 5 - but I also need the workflow that LR offers.

Sorry I can't give you any more detailed answers (I can, but they would be mere guesses), you just have to jump in yourself with both feet to see if you can swim in the warm x64 bit waters.

My current Win 7 x64 bit installation on my VAIO is my 'test' bed and I've been trying to 'kill' the installation of Win 7 so that I can re-install it properly once and for all. I am amazed how 'resilient' it is to my destructive attempts and even today, I don't 'have' to re-install, I just think I should - if I'm going to depend on this install for the next few years.

This is contrary to my experience with XP & Vista. I would re-install 3 or 4 times a year - just to get the system feeling good again.

When I tried Win 7 beta about year ago, I was 'bored' and knew that it would take a lot of my time - Perfect! What a pleasant surprise that by the RC, I knew what my next O/S would be from simply 'playing' and comparing it to Vista.

Don't tell yourself you're switching to Win 7 - just 'playing' - and if you can make your playtime profitable, all the better.

I'm not trying to convince you with my words to jump (to Win 7 x64), but what I am suggesting is that you may eventually regret waiting for what you don't currently know about. Give it a try yourself and decide that (for you) it is worth it, or not.

Good Luck!

 

zephir,

to be truthful it seems like there is no hostility (except to me), and, it's best to weigh everybody's opinions equally (except mine).

Whatever.

 

ajc07977,

Sorry, you also asked about XP Mode in Win 7. I just recently was able to try it and frankly - it sucks (performance wise). I have not tried it with any real programs (my Nikon film scanner could put it to good use, with it's outdated driver) but with the low video quality (16bit) that XP Mode supports what's the point?

VMware offers vastly improved performance, but at a higher cost too.

See/search my last few posts as I've given a bit more info about XP Mode.

 

ajc07977: what I would do on Your place is put SSD in Media Bay and test Win 7 x64 (if CPU supports 64-bit instructions), all drivers and stuff. If everything works well just buy activation key, put SSD where it should be (in D620 under Your left palm) and enjoy.

Here is link to legally download Win 7.

If You need advice how to very easily burn .ISO to thumb drive just send PM.

 

OK Fab!

a) OK I'm likely to go with Capture One at end of trial then (I mostly hate LR as it is NOTHING like the 'simplicity with power' that Pixmantec Raw Shooter Premium was before it. Hate non folder explorer feel and whole DAM stuff. LR output better than RSP (much like Adobe ACR). Workflow too OTT for me though (although would be good if I could be as anal and spend as much time data adding etc etc).

b) You have just convinced me that your suggestion Win7 x64 and dual boot with XP Pro x32 on existing HDD is best 'Win Win' approach. Thnakyou for talking a lot of sense!

Lastly it is chunk of your quote that I have lifted that really relieves me. I have done FAR too many (easier each time though) rebuilds of XP Pro onto clean formatted and partitioned up drives from scratch ! I DO NOT wnat to mess around any more with all that crap - nearly went 'Mac' because everything there is relatively 'leave alone amnd forget' !

Thanks once again (and all others with their suggestions)

 

YEP - yourself and 'Tiller' have convinced me

I'l lbe in contact in a while for the instructions of putting that image onto USB key, if that's cool with you ?

Thanks

 

How do you view the firmware of a SSD (Samsung SLC Drive) under Mac OS-X?

He took a dying hp laptop's SSD drive which I can confirm is a Samsung SLC drive, and stuck it into his Mac. Was thinking about using that Dell updater, and update the drive since its a SLC drive.

 

Actually, just look at post #18 at the link Tomy B. gave (page 2 for me, about halfway down).

 

Thanks for that

BUT ...

Bugger ! My T2080 processor is 32 bit

Backgound: Bloke who sold me the used D620 - gave me Dell Service Tag from underneath ... that made out it was a D630 originally ! (or at least the case once contained a D630!). The plonker also left Core2 Duo sticker (=64bit) on front right palmrest area (64bit). T2080 is in fact a 32 bit only Core Duo processor .. .DOH !! talk about confusing and a bit like having a Turbo sticker on back of normally aspirated car !!
-

So .... People do I bother to go 32 bit Windows 7 ??

I just ran a Dell n Microsft app that interogaoted my computer (a D620 is kind of not Windows 7 guaranteed ... but in a Windows 7 (do-able) list. Running th program showed that most things on laptop and connected to laptop WOULD be OK. Maybe pointer n glide pad wouldn't etc etc ... but I am sure there are ways and means !!

-

Do I XP Pro 32 for now on the SSD // Go Win7 32 bit + hope Samsung do Trim n GC firmware real soon and therefore see more beneficial reason to have general native W7 support for SSDs ???

 

Wow, that's quite a bit of bad luck.

Hmmm... in your situation, I would still try Win 7 x32, but on the SSD. Once you start playing with it, I would say you'll kick yourself if you didn't install it there first. Not only should you only have to disable defrag (whereas with XP you'll be configuring for at least half an hour for SSD operation), but it will also give you the most 'real world' experience of Win 7 too.

Your CPU also does not support VT, so that means no XP Mode for you. So it's doubly important to test all your hardware and applications thoroughly.

Because of no VT mode support, you may consider getting Win 7 Home Premium instead of Pro or Ultimate, but remember also, keep the following point in mind...

When you install Win 7, make sure you don't type in your key - you'll then have up to 120 days to decide if you want Win 7 installed on that configuration, or simply uninstall it and use it on your next computer.

I think I've covered everything for you?

 

Fair enough, I agree that to others it seems like I'm picking on you quite a bit, while it isn't really my intention. It's just that most ask for advice, while you give out advice, and I feel compelled to correct you. Also, I don't ignore your opinion. In fact, if I am ignoring you, I wouldn't respond in the first place.
But still, point taken, I won't respond to your posts any more.

PS: The reason why you're disappointed with your Intel G2 is because you've read so much stuff about SSDs that you vastly overestimate the capability of them. They're not magic, but to someone who's moving from traditional HDD, they're really a blessing. But I also understand that from what davepermen said, you tend to get the impression that they're the best thing since sliced bread. I never worship SSDs, so I won't ever be disappointed. But if I'll have to move back to traditional HDDs now, I doubt I'll be able to bear it.

 

Easiest way for me is to use UltraISO. Here You can download trial. Install it, open .ISO image, choose Bootable --> Write Disk Image...

After few minutes it's done and You have bootable thumb drive.

 

zephir,

Okay, I'll accept it wasn't your intention; but let me tell you my side of your 'non-attack'.

You tell me to not give advice because I obviously don't know enough about SSD's when you're quoting me for asking a question about how SSD's work (concerning GC). Huh? Yes, please read that again and read your original post too.

Again, I ask; Please respond to my posts; but try to be a little more helpful, maybe?

The reason I was disappointed in the Intel G2 was because of the system it was in (AMD Opteron, desktop). Which brought me to my conclusions that before upgrading to an SSD, make sure each of the other components are not holding you back.

I have never worshipped SSD's either, nor do I believe they're magic - I think I have shown considerable restraint (I didn't rush out and buy one, even after the first 100 'reviews' I read said WOW) and objectivity when it comes to how much performance boost they may realistically offer.

Like I said in those previous posts, I still need to get a hold of one to try in my system(s) and see what, if any, performance increase it may offer with my particular usage scenario. But remember that my current usage is running both my notebook and my desktop with eBoostr, which greatly minimizes the normal performance delta of running/comparing a mechanical hard drive to an SSD.

How you feel about SSD's, I currently feel about eBoostr - and it's not just my 'feelings' here - when I compared my VAIO/eBoostr combo to the AMD Opteron/Intel G2 combo - the VAIO was actually 'winning' some of the impromptu tests I conducted - and this is with a mechanical Scorpio Blue 500 GB HD.

Please feel free to read that original post again (in this thread) if you want more details of those comparisons and I welcome any criticism for unwarranted conclusions that you may feel I came to unjustifiably.

Lastly, I do want to be corrected if I offer any wrong information to others, but if you want people here to only ask for advice, who will be giving it? I only respond to what I am fairly confident of; so far, nobody has called me for giving 'bad' information to anyone (not even you).