A few questions regarding solid state drives

[dmoney1980]

Hello all !

I'm kind of a noob to setting up SSD's, and was hoping to get some clarification on the following. (By the way, I did read the sticky on "new to SSD's")

1- I know that the AMD platform has AHCI issues, but does anyone know if there is a performance increase on the SB 850 over some of the older chips like the SB 710 /750 ?
I assume using the windows AHCI driver in order to keep TRIM.

2- regarding TRIM- is this a feature that windows 7 activates automatically ? (As long as the SSD supports it) When on, is it always on, or do i have to type a command to run it ?

3- setting up an SSD for a fresh instal: do i have to use a special format tool, or can I just use the windows 7 setup format ? What about zero fill ? I read that windows 7 automatically aligns the partition, is this true ? How can confirm ?

4- Other than the OCZ SSD kit, are there any other tools you would recommend I use to make sure I set my SSD up correctly ?

I appreciate your help / feedback !

 

[Zap]

1. IDK.

2. It is automatic.

3. Do not zero fill. Windows 7 partitions SSDs properly.

4. No tools needed to set up an SSD "properly" other than Windows 7.

 

[dmoney1980]

Thanks ZAP ! I just hope I'm making the right choice with the AMD platform. I hope I dont take a performance hit with the MS AHCI driver on the AMD southbridge.

 

[sub.mesa]

Just do not install chipset drivers which install a different IDE/AHCI driver; that would cause you to lose TRIM support.
Your BIOS should be configured to enable AHCI mode on the SATA ports you connect the SSD to. Without it, SSDs would lose alot of potential speeds.

Download AS SSD; besides being a great benchmark tool it instantly tells you which driver you use (should say: msahci) and if your alignment is good (should say ...K - OK).

 

[dmoney1980]

Just do not install chipset drivers which install a different IDE/AHCI driver; that would cause you to lose TRIM support.
Your BIOS should be configured to enable AHCI mode on the SATA ports you connect the SSD to. Without it, SSDs would lose alot of potential speeds.

Download AS SSD; besides being a great benchmark tool it instantly tells you which driver you use (should say: msahci) and if your alignment is good (should say ...K - OK).

Thanks for the info !

 

[GullyFoyle]

I used Windows 7 to partition and format my SSD, and I'll assume it aligned it properly. I did not know how to verify it. But then I imaged the drive from my old boot drive which re-did the partition info and messed up the alignment.
If you image the drive from an old HD drive, try to do so without re-doing the partition setup.
Just something to watch out for.

 

[dmoney1980]

I used Windows 7 to partition and format my SSD, and I'll assume it aligned it properly. I did not know how to verify it. But then I imaged the drive from my old boot drive which re-did the partition info and messed up the alignment.
If you image the drive from an old HD drive, try to do so without re-doing the partition setup.
Just something to watch out for.

thanks for the input. I do plan on doing a fresh install myself, especially since I'm going from a 500gb hdd to a 64gb SSD, just plan to put the OS+ a few primary apps on it

 

[poohbear]

these questions should be added to the SSD sticky as i see them being asked all the time in different threads (or in ppl's threads on the matter). the original SSD sticky is a bit dated.

 

[wpcoe]

Please delete. Posted in wrong thread.

 

[Obsoleet]

1- I know that the AMD platform has AHCI issues, but does anyone know if there is a performance increase on the SB 850 over some of the older chips like the SB 710 /750 ?
I assume using the windows AHCI driver in order to keep TRIM.

I'm sure there is a performance increase, but I don't know for sure. You want to use the default storage drivers, yes. I recently built my grandmother an 850 rig with Intel 80GB G2 drive and that's how I did it. It's fast (!)

2- regarding TRIM- is this a feature that windows 7 activates automatically ? (As long as the SSD supports it) When on, is it always on, or do i have to type a command to run it ?

Yes, there is a command to verify that it's enabled, but when you install Win7 on a SSD it detects that it is one and it's at that point it's turned on. It also disables defrag automatically (something you never want to do to a SSD with any utility).

3- setting up an SSD for a fresh instal: do i have to use a special format tool, or can I just use the windows 7 setup format ? What about zero fill ? I read that windows 7 automatically aligns the partition, is this true ? How can confirm ?

You don't have to worry about all this. Just do a quick format, it's the best way.

4- Other than the OCZ SSD kit, are there any other tools you would recommend I use to make sure I set my SSD up correctly ?

Intel SSD Toolbox. Get the 80GB G2.