Intel x25-m 120gb

[Edward88]

Hi, i finally get one of this.

I will use w7 64bits and the hard is an asus r2e with a 920


What tweks and setup do you recomend for a fresh install of the os?

[Johnny87au]

1) Disable Defrag: Installing a fresh Windows 7 seems to disable it by default on SSD drives

2) TRIM support: As with defrag this seems to be set correctly with a fresh install of Windows 7

3) Align the drive: This is a little more unknown for me - I believe that if you let Windows 7 partition the drive during the install it will automatically align it correctly. Is this true? Also, is there a way to verify this after windows is installed?

4) Disable Indexing: I've read this one both ways. For now I left it enabled as I personally don't see any real harm past the initial operations. Once the database/index is built there really shouldn't be too much activity on a mostly static system. The benefit as I see it is that the index file is stored in memory so any searches will access the index file in memory instead of actually access the drive to perform the search. If you do a lot of searches then this seems to make sense to keep it enabled - also, some windows services rely on the index so even if you don't actively do searches the OS may (I can't confirm this, just something I read a while ago.)

5) Disable prefetch and superfetch: Again, I've read arguments going either way with this. As with Indexing I have these enabled currently. I did play with it a little and with it (boot files) disabled I see about a 3 second increase in windows boot - nothing to scream and about, but it seems to make more sense to leave it all enabled if you have plenty of drive space.

6) Disable page file: As above this goes both ways but the arguments against disabling it goes way back, way before SSD. It's a space savings option that I won't have to worry about for a while so I have it still enabled using windows recommended settings.

7) Disable hibernation: Another space saving option that I don't really need to deal with for my use.

[Ao1]

Set the BIOS to AHCI mode, run the Intel Toolbox optimiser and you are good to go.

Optional:

• Turn off system restore and use the Win 7 System Image back up instead. This will free up a lot of space and makes things a bit quicker.
• Turn off the page file if you have enough RAM.
• Turn off hibernation if you don’t need it to free up a bit of space

Prefetch and superfetch are disabled by the Toolbox when you run the optimiser.

Win 7 will align the drive on a fresh install.

[Edward88]

Thanks a lot for your answers!

I will do that.


Another question that I have in mind is how much % of free space should I leave free?

The disk will only have the os, programs, some games an thats it, all other data is stored in my others hdds.

[El Mano]

I'm going to install win7 64 on almost the same drive (Intel's 80GB) and I have the same concerns as the OP since it's going to be the first time I deal with an SSD and being the expensive devices they are I don't want to mess it up!

Question: I do have to have a page file. Is it ok to place it in C: or should I use a different partition?

Thanks for the answers Johnny and Ao1, I'm keeping an eye on this thread.

[Ao1]

Having the page file on the SSD will not cause any problems.

BTW look out for the new firmware that is comming out Jan 03, 2011 - 02M3

[Johnny87au]

Thanks a lot for your answers!

I will do that.


Another question that I have in mind is how much % of free space should I leave free?

The disk will only have the os, programs, some games an thats it, all other data is stored in my others hdds.

Dont really have to leave free space unless your going Raid 0, Single drives i wouldnt bother, with Dual ssds id go something like 5gb

I'm going to install win7 64 on almost the same drive (Intel's 80GB) and I have the same concerns as the OP since it's going to be the first time I deal with an SSD and being the expensive devices they are I don't want to mess it up!

Question: I do have to have a page file. Is it ok to place it in C: or should I use a different partition?

Thanks for the answers Johnny and Ao1, I'm keeping an eye on this thread.

Really doesnt matter hehe..

[El Mano]

Noob questions:

Does TRIM work under Linux?
Is there any distro you would recommend for an SSD? I was planning to install openSUSE as dual boot but I don't know what kind of support does ot offer for SSDs.

[Johnny87au]

Cant really shed much info as im still kinda dark on this as ive never used linux but im quite sure that the linux kernel now supports SATA TRIM..

[johnw]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=TRIM+linux

[oZZy_tv]

BTW look out for the new firmware that is comming out Jan 03, 2011 - 02M3

still no new firmware

[Ao1]

If you do a Google search for “Intel Product Change Notification number 110343-00” you will find the pdf product change notification advising of the f/w change to 02M3 with a forecasted milestone data of Jan 03 2011.

....don’t know what happened.

The customer impact states "update is considered incremental, Intel anticipates no product impact with this firmware, and re-qualification is not recommended", so a performance jump does not seem to be applicable.

[Johnny87au]

I highly doubt intel is going to bring out a new firmware for the x25m's.. last firmware was released what 6 months ago?

[nijel]

Well... they did.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...&DwnldID=18363

[Johnny87au]

Ah wow 2011, thanks

[Ao1]

|Looks like there is an improvement on 64 4K reads, which ties in with the release notes.

[Anvil]

Hi Ao1

Looks like there are some improvements on the new firmware, 481 must be 30-50? points more than the old firmware, guess I'll have to upgrade

[Johnny87au]

A01 what were your random 4k's before the firmware update?

[Ao1]

Hi Ao1

Looks like there are some improvements on the new firmware, 481 must be 30-50? points more than the old firmware, guess I'll have to upgrade

Indeed

@ Johnny87au. Previously anything between 150 & 160.

[Johnny87au]

thanks a01 nice gain, Will do it tomorrow just gotta buy a cd