Turbo Memory + SSD

I recently installed an SSD and did a clean install of Windows. ReadyBoost was then automatically disabled, which I understand is a good thing as the SSD is faster than the Turbo Memory.

Based on the attached screen shot, it looks like ReadyDrive is enabled, and is using 2GB of my SSD. Am I understanding that correctly? Is this what I want to be happening?

 

That screenshot is just showing the driving being used, which is installed on the C drive.

Using Turbo memory together with an SSD would probably slow things down... SSD performance is so high that adding another process and set of drivers to keep reading and writing data to another flash drive (the Turbo Memory) is probably slower than just letting Windows 7 use the SSD.

 

if you have a ssd
you're probably best to just physically remove the turbo memory module

 

I would like to leave the turbo memory module installed because I'll pull the SSD if I ever upgrade or sell the computer. I've already opened the case enough times for my own comfort, and would just as soon not mess with it.

Sorry if I'm being tedious, but I'm still unclear on two points.

I understand that ReadyBoost should be disabled, but ReadyDrive is what I'm wondering about. If it is caching (cacheing?) on the SSD, I suspect that it may be beneficial. I don't know whether this is true, or worse, if it is trying to use the Turbo Memory.

 

might as well remove it and keep it in a drawer somewhere
right now all it is doing is adding weight and drawing power

 

Can you disable it in bios?

 

Nope.

I uninstalled/disabled it on one install of Win7 and physically removed it in another. Honestly, I didn't notice a difference at all on the T400s with the 1.8" Samsung SSD so I don't think it matters all that much. Might be different in other models with quicker SSD's.

If it bothers you, uninstalling the software is a bit messy, but doable and gets the job done. Just get the regular Intel Storage Manager package from the Intel site. You'll need to install it after removing the "Intel Storage Manager and Intel Turbo Memory" one from Add/remove Programs. I uninstalled the regular Intel Turbo Memory app first. After the reboots, disable the Unknown Device in device manager and windows update should ignore it.

You know you are good when the 1.37 GB primary partition in Disk Management is gone. Can't readyboost from something that isn't there.

Once again, I didn't notice any difference with the module in or out/software intact or removed.

If you want to get fancy, you can replace the Turbo module with a wireless USB card. Check your model for the FRU #.

Here's a decent link showing what changes to make in Win7 for SSD's. Take from it what you will: http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67056

 

If Turbo Memory were all that, Intel would keep it in the latest chipset. Except there's no sign of it, yet Intel is now dabbling in SSD technology.
ReadyBoost was supposed to speed up HDD based systems due to the inherent latency with any rotating platter based HDD.
Assuming Intel ain't BS'ing, their newest SSD have a latency that's less than a 1/60 of the fastest traditional 2.5" HDDs @ 7200RPM.
So I bet you can guess why they ditched Turbo Memory

Sorry but if you have a decently fast SSD, there's really no use for your TM stick...

 

It was a great concept when spinners were the only drive option. Poorly implemented and horrible timing. NAND got cheap really fast and it's hard to accelerate a drive that already uses the same chips for all of it's storage.

Probably gave them some experience to put into their own SSD's though. Intel came out strong with the X series.

 

..." It is not recommended to use Intel Turbo Memory in a system with a SSD drive.
It would be ideal to remove the Intel Turbo Memory module from the system,
if SSD drive is used. Refer the hardware maintenance manual.
Or set to disable Intel Turbo Memory as follows.
Start Intel Turbo Memory Console.
Uncheck "Enable Windows ReadyBoost" and "Enable Windows ReadyDrive"...
from
Intel Turbo Memory Driver for Windows 7 and Vista
- ThinkPad Reserve Edition, R61, R400, R500, T61, T61p, T400, T400s,
T500, W500, W700, W700ds, X61, X61s, X61 Tablet,
X200, X200s, X200 Tablet, X300, X301
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-67820
Version: 1.10.1.1002-8.9.2.1002 Release Date: 2009/11/30
7zin85ww.exe 10,283,560 Intel Turbo Memory Driver
7zin85ww.txt 12,654 README for Intel Turbo Memory Driver
Document id: MIGR-67820 Last modified: 2009-12-04

 

Thanks. I went ahead and uninstalled the Turbo Memory driver, too. Interestingly, it now shows up as an unknown device in device manager, but still up in disk manager. If only there was a creative way to use that 2gb...