The Toolbox is only really required if you want to TRIM but are running a non W7 OS. In that scenario you can use the Toolbox to either manually run TRIM or you can set TRIM to occur to a schedule of your choosing. TRIM via the Toolbox takes less than a couple of seconds, unless you are using System Restore. TRIM has to tip toe around the System Restore files so it takes longer. How long I have no idea because I don’t use System Restore.

The Toolbox does offer a few more features. You can check the SMART data of your drive and you can run a diagnostic test. My set up has auto trim however I still use the Toolbox for these features. I can run a manual TRIM if I want to as well.

Intel recommends running (a manual/ scheduled) TRIM once a day. I think this is more to do with reducing wear than maintaining performance. My secondary PC has not been TRIMMED once and I don’t see a performance drop, although I don’t use it anywhere near as hard as my main PC.

If you are not benching or continually writing lots of files you have nothing to really worry about if you don’t have TRIM.

For info on the requisites for Toolbox check out the User Guide:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/down...18455&lang=eng