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This has appeared on a French Intel site today.
http://www.intel.com/cd/corporate/pr...fra/434654.htm
Key points include:
A new toolbox for management, information and diagnostics that will help keep the drives running at optimum performance.
X25-M 160 GB drives will see sequential write speed increase by 40 % compared to the current version of the firmware.
THX, will install as soon as im home..
Firmware links to old firmware and toolbox link is not a valid link any more.
:(
It looks like the french jumped the gun....but the links should be live soon. A revised spec sheet is now availble: http://download.intel.com/design/fla...eam/322296.pdf
Didn't the 160GB drive already write at like 90MB/s. So 10MB/s more?
The previous specs were officially 70MB/s now its 100MB/s. Random 4 KB writes@ (upto) 8,600 IOPS remain the same. The increase in sequential writes is only for the 160GB versions. Sequential speeds for the 80GB remain the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by One_Hertz
I know the specs were at 70, but it was underrated before.Quote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
Here is the correct link : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...17485&lang=eng
Nah, nevermind, ekerazha was quicker... :)
Whoever tries this first please post differences in performance if you can...Thank you...
Edit: synced
It's a shame only the 160 GB version got the sequential write boost :(
Nice, it looks like TRIM will be both auto or user scheduled. This is translated from the french Intel web site:
It (the new toolbox) also provides a user-friendly GUI that helps the user schedule and launch the TRIM regardless of the operating system command. For optimal performance, Intel recommends installing firmware updated and the Toolbox as well as the daily running of the TRIM command.
The links above takes me only to the 02G9 firmware to fix the BIOS password. The new update should be 02HA ... no?
yes, try refreshing your browser cacheQuote:
Originally Posted by Bill Dalton
:)
http://download.intel.com/support/ss...hite_paper.pdf
While users of Microsoft Windows* 7 will have native support built into the OS to take advantage of this new feature, Intel is also offering support for users of other Windows operating systems through the use of the Intel® SSD Toolbox
RAID support will come later...
SSD Toolbox is here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/down...18182&lang=eng
SSD Toolbox user guide: http://download.intel.com/support/ss...user_guide.pdf
Can somebody upload the ssdtoolbox?
I want it so bad :yepp:
what is wrong w/ the link above you?Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
Pcper review is out Intel X25-M 'G2' TRIM Enabled Firmware and SSD Toolbox Review
Oops sorry, im so blind :wasntme:Quote:
Originally Posted by lowfat
He actually edited it and posted the link after you created your post. I didn't realize it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
Wow, the 160GB effing rocks now.Quote:
Originally Posted by AKM
Lol neither did i.Quote:
Originally Posted by lowfat
Damn, raid is not supported by the SSD toolbox :shakes:
Not yet but it will come in an update to the toolbox. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
Nice, can i find that info in the PDF?Quote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
check out the link in post 4 ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
EDIT: whoops sorry...look at the paper linked on post 15. Checkout the Q&A
Alright, thx man.
G3y that these have been out for so long and still nothing for raid.
Alright, gonna try it out tomorrow!
No one have had to reinstall cuz of the update?
I know it doesn't support RAID setups but I figured I'd update since it'll probably "refresh" my drives. ;)
Before firmware
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7...elssdg2916.png
After firmware
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8...elssdg2102.png
Nice SimpleTECH, my scores went down after the FW upgrade.
Thinking to break my raid array and go single drives untill its fully supported.
I’ve just updated the f/w on a new install of 7/64 in ACHI mode with Windows ACHI drivers. No problem with the update, but despite fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify returning a 0 defrag etc have not been disabled by default. (??)
I copied a 47.5GB folder full of mp3’s and a few avi movies from a G2 80GB drive to a G2 160GB drive (OS) and the transfer speed stuck all the way between 103MB/s & 106MB/s.
A manual TRIM takes seconds.
AS Benchmarks before and after: (160GB G2 with OS - No surprises really... )
Old FW, fresh drive.
AS SSD Benchmark 1.2.3577.40358
------------------------------
Name: INTEL SSDSA2M160G2GC ATA Device
Firmware: 2CV102G9
Interface: IDE
Size: 149.05 GB
Date: 26/10/2009 18:36:14
------------------------------
Sequential:
------------------------------
Read: 255.38 MB/s
Write: 83.64 MB/s
------------------------------
4K:
------------------------------
Read: 23.13 MB/s
Write: 45.95 MB/s
------------------------------
4K-64Threads:
------------------------------
Read: 154.58 MB/s
Write: 57.60 MB/s
------------------------------
Access Times:
------------------------------
Read: 0.077 ms
Write: 0.091 ms
------------------------------
Score:
------------------------------
Read: 203
Write: 112
Total: 420
------------------------------
New FW, fresh drive
AS SSD Benchmark 1.2.3577.40358
------------------------------
Name: INTEL SSDSA2M160G2GC ATA Device
Firmware: 2CV102HA
Interface: IDE
Size: 149.05 GB
Date: 26/10/2009 20:00:15
------------------------------
Sequential:
------------------------------
Read: 254.24 MB/s
Write: 101.62 MB/s
------------------------------
4K:
------------------------------
Read: 21.94 MB/s
Write: 48.75 MB/s
------------------------------
4K-64Threads:
------------------------------
Read: 154.91 MB/s
Write: 66.38 MB/s
------------------------------
Access Times:
------------------------------
Read: 0.062 ms
Write: 0.089 ms
------------------------------
Score:
------------------------------
Read: 202
Write: 125
Total: 432
------------------------------
New FW, used drive, freshly TRIMed
AS SSD Benchmark 1.2.3577.40358
------------------------------
Name: INTEL SSDSA2M160G2GC ATA Device
Firmware: 2CV102HA
Interface: IDE
Size: 149.05 GB
Date: 26/10/2009 20:15:24
------------------------------
Sequential:
------------------------------
Read: 254.32 MB/s
Write: 100.53 MB/s
------------------------------
4K:
------------------------------
Read: 21.22 MB/s
Write: 49.28 MB/s
------------------------------
4K-64Threads:
------------------------------
Read: 156.76 MB/s
Write: 64.73 MB/s
------------------------------
Access Times:
------------------------------
Read: 0.098 ms
Write: 0.089 ms
------------------------------
Score:
------------------------------
Read: 203
Write: 124
Total: 432
------------------------------
EDIT: Hey Ourasi.....Looks like I can claim the 2nd position in the hall of fame for your Single AS benchmark :p:
From the Readme:
3. RAID Configurations
ISSUE: The SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool cannot execute a firmware
update when the SSDs are in a RAID configuration.
WORKAROUND:
Go into the BIOS and disable RAID mode, using "Legacy" or
"Compatibility" mode for the firmware update. If the system
is using IMSM, it is important that you do not disable RAID
within IMSM or other software configuraiton utility.
After configuring BIOS to "Legacy" or "Compatibility" mode,
reboot the system following the update instructions below.
Once all RAID drives have been updated and verified, enable
RAID in BIOS reboot to complete the process.
Has anybody tried this yet? This is my first run with Raid0 and I just want to make sure I won't run into any problems with this.
SSDSA2MH160G2
Storage setting is RAID (HDDs are in RAID array, SSD is not)
Before
http://i34.tinypic.com/2lmt3f9.png
After
http://i37.tinypic.com/flg9pc.png
^ does the trim tool work from the toolbox on a non raid member drive? I think I read in the anandtech review that TRIM would not work with that config (?)
Yep, did it twice already.Quote:
Originally Posted by tuanster1119
1 - Burn ISO.
2 - Reboot and go to BIOS, set IDE compatible mode, save exit.
3 - Boot CD and flash drives, reboot.
4 - Return to BIOS and set RAID again, save exit.
5 - Return to BIOS for last time and set boot priority, save exit and your done :up:
Post it there, and I'll add you to the list.. Allthough, I'm in a bit of a bad mood today, since Intel didn't even bother to let the Gen. 1 owners be able to use even the TRIM Toolbox, friggen ass*****.. If there was any SSD out there in the same ballpark price performance wise, I'd recomend my readers to screw Intel out a lot of $.. But hey, what can one really expect from Intel, I should be used to it by now. :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
The other so called trimmable drives out there seems to have failed to deliver the benefits of TRIM, and even here Intel does way better then the rest, so what choise do one have but to buy from the "devil" himself. :shocked:
it works from the toolbox, not automaticallyQuote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
Just an FYI, on Areca cards even when drives are as pass-through it detects them as RAID, so the Toolbox doesn't work.
Guys I have a couple of questions on this new FW update with toolbox..
1. I am running one 80Gb G2 now on W7 Beta should I update FW then clean drive before I do a clean install of W7 Ultimate with a new 2 x 80Gb G2 raid -0- setup?
2. After doing the above do I reformat the ssd drive using W7 when reinstalling W7 in a raid -0- setup?
Thx...
1. Update the firmware first (on both drives) and then erase the drive that has Windows 7 beta. Use HDDErase 3.3.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lu(ky
2. Windows 7 will automatically setup your configuration for you. After you erased the SSD using HDDErase that I mentioned above, setup your RAID configuration and then proceed to install Windows.
So the one drive I have been using should not get a cleaning before I use HDDErase? I was thinking of updating FW on current installed drive then use the toolbox to clean. Then use HDDErase to clean the one drive I been using then do a clean W7 install?Quote:
Originally Posted by SimpleTECH
Thank for your help SimpleTech
Does anyone want to explain to me why the firmware 02HA update does not enable TRIM on the 80GB 34nm models?
I was really looking forward to a sequential write speed boost when I grab one of these next weekend.
The firmware update does enable TRIM on G2 80GB drives but it does not increase the sequential write speed specs over the pre-f/w update specs. (As it does for the 160GB drives).The 160Gb drives are also faster at 4K IOps but that was the case prior to the fw update. Bottom line is that the 160GB drive is faster than the 80GB version. It was faster before the fw update and it is even faster now. Logically the 320GB version will be even faster when it comes out.Quote:
Originally Posted by AuDioFreaK39
So is the firmware destroying drives or not?
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...3&postcount=25
There's many reports of dead X25-M 10 mins after the firmware update and it seems you can't download it from intel anymore so I'll hold back and wait before updating my drive...
Yeah i just saw it on hardforum, happy that i dont have any issues with the new FW.Quote:
Originally Posted by firestarter.pt
Whoop..Intel have pulled the update whilst they investigate the reported problems. http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/i...der-windows-7/
EDIT: Where is Rhys when you need him :rofl: It seems that 7 tries to install a driver after the update. This prompts a reboot which then causes the drive to fail. :shakes: Mine are OK but if I see drivers being installed I will not be rebooting in a hurry.
Yup that is correct. When you run HDDErase, it's erasing everything on the SSD including the blocks - basically resetting it back to 'peak' performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lu(ky
Though with TRIM, you shouldn't have to worry too much about that.
There is a new information on AnandTech site about the TRIM and RAIDS of these drives -----> H E R E
Thanks for the link but i couldn't find any RAID info in the articleQuote:
Originally Posted by Lu(ky
Read the thread. Check post 15. Download the white paper. Read the Q&A. Bingo. :p:Quote:
Originally Posted by CrimInalA
I'm not sure what to make of that Intel Q&A:
For all we know it could mean: Support will be included with our latest driver + ICH11R. In other words get a new mobo if you want RAID + TRIM :)Quote:
Intel is looking at including support in future versions of the tool.
PAGE 3 not allot but saying it will not support TRIM with a raid setup.. Allot of guys were asking about this question and it says a little work around on it below.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrimInalA
There’s a major problem with TRIM today. The only Windows storage drivers to support it are written by Microsoft. The Intel Matrix Storage Manager (IMSM) driver will not pass the TRIM instruction to your SSD. This means you can't use anything but the drivers that ship with Windows 7. To make matters worse, if you enable non-member RAID on an Intel motherboard the default Windows 7 driver is an older version of IMSM so TRIM won't work there either - even if you don't have a RAID array created. Your best bet is to install Windows 7 with your I/O controller in AHCI mode (for Intel chipsets) and don't install any storage drivers. Intel is working on an updated IMSM that will pass the TRIM instruction to SSDs but it won't be ready for at least a couple of months.
TRIM won't work on a RAID array.
If you want to use IMSM or if you're using Windows XP or Vista, both of which do not support TRIM, there's another option. Earlier this year Indilinx released its Wiper Tool that performs a manual TRIM on their SSDs. It works by asking the OS for a list of the free space addresses on the partition and then sending the list with instructions to TRIM down to the SSD.
Does anyone still have the iso that updates the drives?
I am currently running 2x x25-m 80 gig g2's as my raid-0 system partition for windows 7 and need the iso to boot to so i can update my drives and return them to raid config.
Here you go http://www.sendspace.com/file/s18k0zQuote:
Originally Posted by bigjohns97
All the people that dropped huge coin to run multiple SSDs in RAID, I can't help but laugh a little at their predicament. Steadily decreasing performance on what for many is a $$$$+ invenstment must just be very annoying. Sometimes it's nice not being a paying beta tester for the cutting edge.
Agreed, it’s not as if the writing was not on the wall a long time ago regarding trim support for raid. A larger capacity disk is by far the best way to go. The specs are higher, they no longer degrade and they are more likely to have a higher free space ratio, which also improves performance. Add to that quicker boot times and less chance of failure and it’s a no brainer.
You da man.....been looking for this, should have come to XS first!Quote:
Originally Posted by shabby
I feel that i belong in the same group as my 80GB G1 cost the same as a 160GB G2 and no love for me neither..Quote:
Originally Posted by Speederlander
Well i just ripped one of my G2's out my PC and im putting it up for sale later this weekend.
RAID is fun but (like already said) not really worth it, im gonna keep my other 80GB for a while and i will buy a 160GB later on when i need more space.
They said on AnandTech site there will be future raid TRIM with later FW updates.Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
Problem is later updates could be many months or longer away, and given even single drives appear difficult and risky to get right consistently, I can only imagine that raid arrays with all their controller quirks and different combos involving parity and whatnot could put raid TRIM into gen 3 drives rather than the current crop. Keep in mind, that can't roll out RAID TRIM firmware updates or tools unless they are very confidant everything will work correctly. And given they can't even do that deadnuts on for drives running off their own chipsets and systems, imagine all the stuff they have to check with the various controllers, drivers, combinations, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lu(ky
v1.4 has TRIM w/ 34nm. Intel pulled all FW updates off the website and replaced it with the tool.
Well i already sold one 80GB X25-M G2 and maybe tomorrow im gonna trade my other 80GB X25-M for a 160GB G2.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lu(ky
I really didnt want to wait for the support, im better of with a single drive tbh.
Yup, best approach is a single larger drive. People with SSD RAID arrays prior to TRIM getting fully sorted out are throwing their money away IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
With RAID you need to update each drive FW separate to have TRIM. Just the tool does not work in RAID.Quote:
Originally Posted by Speederlander
Don't you guys know the TRIM FW was released?
The AnandTech artical is out dated.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=16638
Yes, we know the TRIM FW was released. As of current toolset, there is no fix for degradation of performance while in RAID. If you claim that the new tool/FW actually addresses this issue for RAIDed drives, that makes you the first to have the scoop. I would ask for you to post your source. I would be happy to be wrong but I'm fairly certain I am not.Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckbam
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speederlander
I read it in the v1.4 FW release notes. Not knowing it would be pulled, I failed to save them.
What it said was, drives in RAID need to be updated one at a time
You don't need the tool if you have the FW update.Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckbam
Yes, I am sure to update their firmware, which addressed more than just TRIM, they would need to be updated one at a time. But TRIM does not currently work in RAID. I'm sorry, it doesn't. :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckbam
Did you not read the subject line in this thread :p:Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckbam
AFAIK the stand alone TRIM function in the tool box will only work on drives with updated f/w and it will not work on ssd's in a raid array.
It could well be that if you have raid 0 you would be better off not updating the f/w, which has been optimised taking into account its ability to TRIM. In fact I suspect you would be better off with a G1 drive rather than a G2 drive if you are using raid 0.
TRIM support will come for raid, but when is another issue. Intel recommend you TRIM once a day so even if you could work out a way of splitting the array, trimming it and then rebuilding the array it would be way too much agro.
Regardless with or without TRIM raid 0 is of no real benefit for most users.
Can I update the firmware of the G2 still ? Are those still bugged.
Should I just wait for a new release to use the TRIM feature ?
:)
Just wait to be safe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ced-G60
Oki, thanks ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
Since they removed all versions of the FW, and replaced them with the Solid-State Drive Toolbox, you may have a very long wait:)
GC firmwares will keep your performance at 80-85% with raid. Since SSD drives have pretty much 100% scaling with raid (which is way better than regular hdd) I don't see how using raid is throwing your money away.Quote:
Originally Posted by Speederlander
i dont agree, RAID doesnt scale almost 100% on a ICH*.Quote:
Originally Posted by UObean
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...cheEnabled.png
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...dSingleRun.png
My drives did also degrade a lot more in raid then it is doing now
GC will not keep your Intel drives @ 85% (RAID), your write speeds will drop roughly 35 to 40% (random write even 50%).
For sure the GC is better right now on the Indilinx drives.
Single drive is the way to go, raid is just a wast of money.
Hopefully that will change quickly.
writespeed exactly doubled for me . cap was 80mbyte/s per drive . in raid 0 this became 160mb/s . That's 100% scaling .
This is on ICH10 and will be same on other controllers .
Well, on Intel RAID or add-on controllers only i guess...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by CrimInalA
Bigger issue being the significant degradation in performance that will occur over time.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrimInalA
Now the Drive Toolbox is unavailable. Maybe they will have a new version soon.
Maybe they found out it was a combination of the toolbox and new FW that was bricking the drives.Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckbam
Im still running the 02HA FW without any problems but i will wait with using the toolbox anyways, im a bit scared tbh ;)
Ya, it does not look like Intel has it together yet. I have the new FW and the tool. I notice no performance gain with the tool in benchmarks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Earzz
I have not had any real problems though. If you have a RAID you can't use the tool.
I think the tool is for the original FW w/o TRIM.
After FW update (OS Drive)
http://chuckbam.com/i7_P6T-D/Drives/71X25-M.PNG
Before FW update (Not an OS drive)
http://chuckbam.com/i7_P6T-D/Drives/xmxCapture2PNG.PNG
FW updated (OS Drive)
http://chuckbam.com/i7_P6T-D/Drives/SA1Capture.PNG
.
Intel SSD Toolbox Questions and Answers
http://chuckbam.com/i7_P6T-D/Drives/SSDToolboxQA.pdf
.
According to the Intel Support page:
I have just purchased a G2 80Gb - should I go ahead and install Win 7 x64 or wait for this?Quote:
The Intel® Solid-State Drive Toolbox is temporarily unavailable.
Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox v1.1
http://chuckbam.com/i7_P6T-D/Drives/...oolBoxv1.1.zip
.
Thanks but I will wait for Intel to release an updated version. I installed Win 7 x64 and Apps on SSD and it is way faster then HDD, so no problem.
Intel have updated the page:
However, there is still no download for Toolbox or Firmware Update, only page with details of a workaround for people with problems.Quote:
Click on the url for the Toolbox update of Nov. 16, 2009.
PS - Seems to be a mainly a problem with System Recovery (Restore Points) on Vista & Win7. I have already Disabled System Recovery as I have never used it .........
Correct. The Toolbox was pulled because when you ran the optimiser tool (manual trim) it wiped out system restore points on Vista and Win 7.
Allegedly a new firmware and a revised toolbox will be issued at the end of this month. So far the G2’s = epic failure.
How can you say G2 epic failure because of a W7 problem. :shakes:Quote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
^
First there is a problem with bios password f/w issue (non win 7 related). OK not a major issue, more of an embarrassment for Intel. Next there is a (still ongoing) problem with supply that results in significant price gouging, which completely obliviates the whole point of the G2 drives. Then the trim f/w arrives and gets pulled a day later after numerous problems with bricked drives (Vista & Win 7.) Then the Toolbox gets pulled days later because Win 7/ Vista restore points were getting deleted when a manual trim was implemented. Intel has supposedly worked with MS for over a year to get trim right. Clearly they failed. They don’t even have trim driver support for their own controllers yet.
That might be part of the course for some companies, but from Intel I think these events can be classified as an epic fail.
Sums it up pretty well, but if they get TRIM fixed soon I'll be happy. And Vertex just isn't a good alternative atm, price wise the G2 is better than a 60GB Vertex.Quote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
still no update to be found ?
Actually i was hopeing for a quick support of raid 0 on ich10 .
but seeing all those problems even with a single drive i'm afraid intel isn't ready for it .
No they are still working on it with "high priority", at least that is what they say on the website.
I think that roughly translates into: "we dont have a clue what went wrong and don't know how to fix it".
You are right. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by v0dka
...and they promised the new tool for the end of November...anyone saw it? :mad:
new f/w is posted.
Where?Quote:
Originally Posted by audienceofone
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...&DwnldID=18363Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckbam
I'm hoping Intel supports passing Trim to AID arrays sometime soon. We'll see.
Thank You!Quote:
Originally Posted by D749