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Intel 530/535 NAND write problem (firmware update)

Spicedaddy

Spicedaddy

Platinum Member
I bought an Intel 535 SSD 480GB about 6 months ago. I check the Intel SSD toolbox once in a while to make sure everything is ok. I noticed that the "Expected Life Remaining" was going down quickly, it's around 90% now, which doesn't make sense. I've had other Intel SSDs and they barely lost a percent or 2 after years of usage.

So I investigated a bit, and my Host Writes is around 2TB, but NAND Writes is through the roof at 84TB! It seems there's a known problem with the firmware. Here's the thread on Intel's site:
https://communities.intel.com/thread/46941

And here's the updated firmware:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26452/Write-Amp-Firmware-for-Intel-SSD-530-535-Series
 
Thanks. Impressed Intel is still supporting the 530. Mine got demoted to being used in a gaming console and would have never bothered to ever check for a firmware update or even manually run TRIM on it. I'll have to see the SMART values and what state it's in now.
 
Spicedaddy said:
So I investigated a bit, and my Host Writes is around 2TB, but NAND Writes is through the roof at 84TB! It seems there's a known problem with the firmware.
Click to expand...
That's crazy. Even moreso, when Intel's own SATAII SSD controller used in the G2 and 320 Series drives, had such good WA numbers (for a non-SLC-cache device).
 
I've got a 530 drive. I've got 12.9TB of host writes and 78% "life remaining". I've had it for about 2.5yrs now. Is there anything I should be worried about? Should I even update the firmware? It's in a desktop.
 
VirtualLarry said:
That's crazy. Even moreso, when Intel's own SATAII SSD controller used in the G2 and 320 Series drives, had such good WA numbers (for a non-SLC-cache device).
Click to expand...

I have a couple of older Intel SSDs, that's why I noticed something wasn't normal with this one. The older ones have barely lost any Expected Life after years of use.
 
thilanliyan said:
I've got a 530 drive. I've got 12.9TB of host writes and 78% "life remaining". I've had it for about 2.5yrs now. Is there anything I should be worried about? Should I even update the firmware? It's in a desktop.
Click to expand...

Compare host to nand writes in SSD Toolbox to see if it's worth it. Firmware update was quick and easy on my 535, and should extend its life.
 
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