New to SSDs? Read this first before asking questions! (UPDATED 07/17/2011)

[abaez]

Got it. I don't use a pagefile, indexing or System Restore right now anyway.

 

[jingshen]

Nice! Thanks Zap for these issures and answers.

I saw the SSD I had in the listing "Best SSDs to but", LOL

Indilinx controller
(These give good performance and latest firmware seems solid, most include trim after firmware updae)
OCZ Vertex, Agility, Solid 2, Vertex Turbo, Agility EX, Vertex EX, Vertex Mac Edition, Colossus, Z-Drive
Patriot Torqx
Super Talent UltraDrive ME, GX, LE
Corsair Nova, Extreme
Crucial M225
G.Skill Falcon, Falcon II

 

[clusta]

great thread

 

[scooterlibby]

Can't see how the new gen coming in H2 will affect the listings of good/bad SSDs in this thread.

 

[blckgrffn]

Ubuntu 10.04 Critcal SSD Actions:

Reduce "swapiness" to 0

Code:
vm.swappiness=0

Edit /etc/sysctl.conf by using your favorite editor :
$sudo gedit /etc/sysctl.conf

If the line doesn't exist, you will need to create it.

After reboot vm.swappiness is 0

Enable TRIM (if applicable)

Update to a newer kernel. 2.6.33+ And please, remember to uninstall proprietary (ie, video card) drivers first. The 10.6 cats included didn't like the newer kernel and it really garbled up the video driver install process.

Edit your /etc/fstab file.

Replace errors=remount-ro with errors=remount-ro,noatime,discard

After reboot TRIM should function.

Links I found useful:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=1255511&postcount=43 (swapiness syntax)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9740235 (fstab discussion)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RadeonHD (link to Kernel versions and an explanation of how to update)

Enjoy!

Nat

 

[GullyFoyle]

Zap, how about a note in the care and feeding section recommending NOT to run benchmarking apps on an in-service SSD, as the benchmarking may/will serously degrade performance of the disk, by basically aging it prematurely?

 

[wpcoe]

I'm not overly fond of system cleaning tools, but downloaded Comodo's "System-Cleaner" for a look-see since I'm impressed with their free firewall. One screen had some options that I wonder if they might be good to use with SSDs:

Do not cache drivers and kernel files on the hard drive.

Would they then be cached in RAM? If so, I'm thinking it would save wear and tear on the SSD, and have faster access in RAM. If they are *not* then cached in RAM, would it result in a noticeable slowdown of Windows?

Optimize memory usage for system cache

Would that transfer any caching from the SSD to RAM, or is it talking about simply optimizing RAM for something that that's already being stored there?

Automatic Boot Disk Optimization

Is that a Good Thing for not for SSDs?

 

[boozie]

Two dumb SSD questions. (Yes I tried looking first)

How does an SSD connect to your mobo?

Do you have to install the SSD on a new/empty computer or can I just install it after the fact and move files over? Is it doable but not ideal?

 

[flamenko]

Your ssd connects through a cable which connects to your SATA connector on the ssd to the motherboard where the other end of the cable connects to a SATA port. There is also another ribbon that connects to the ssd from the power supply.

Its best to do a clean install and transfer files as many have experienced hiccups in cloning and moving things over. It is doable though.

If you look at the pik here you will see all the cables which connect to the SATA ports that lead from dvd, ssds and ard drives.

 

[bad_monkey]

Two dumb SSD questions. (Yes I tried looking first)

How does an SSD connect to your mobo?

Your ssd connects through a cable which connects to your SATA connector on the ssd to the motherboard where the other end of the cable connects to a SATA port.

Its best to do a clean install and transfer files as many have experienced hiccups in cloning and moving things over. It is doable though.

SATA is probably the most prolific connection type but there are also PCIe connected SSD's (ala the RevoDrive) and there are also ExpressCard SSD's as well (although they dont seem to be bootable.)

Do you have to install the SSD on a new/empty computer or can I just install it after the fact and move files over? Is it doable but not ideal?

This thread is pretty good as far as copying information over to a SSD.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2102403

Hope that helps.

 

[boozie]

Perfect. Thank you!

 

[boozie]

I will be using the SSD primarily for gaming and my biggest concern is that well over 50% of the games I play are on Steam. I assume I can't have steam games across multiple HD's unless I try to install the program twice but even then I think I would be forced to re-download any game I want to play on the SSD on steam instead of just Xferring over the files to the SSD.

Any insight on this?

 

[Zap]

I run Steam spread over two drives and it isn't much of a problem other than having to log out of one and log into the other. You can copy over the already-downloaded files.

A fancier way is to create an NTFS "junction point." It seems to be a way to tell NTFS to "pretend???" that the files are in one location when they are in another. I don't know how to set this up so I won't be of further help. If you need more help with this on these forums, I suggest creating a new thread on this. Alternatively, create a new thread (or search old ones) in the PC Gaming forum here. Maybe they have already discussed methods?

 

[pcslookout]

When will SSDs become instantaneous? Is it even possible?

 

[taltamir]

When will SSDs become instantaneous?

Who said that?
And don't you mean SSD will make boot instantaneous? because I don't even understand what an instantaneous SSD is.

Is it even possible?

No, it violates the laws of physics.

 

[Zap]

Updated! Added more SSDs to the list, plus re-wrote the "why buy" section.

 

[taltamir]

cool update, keep up the good work Zap

 

[pcslookout]

Imagine loading into L4D/L4D2 and seeing... nobody else on the server. Want to leave the safe room and hoof it to the finish before any special infected players even finish their load screen (note that I've been tempted, but have never done that... yet). Do you want Windows to load faster? SSDs can do it in 1/2-3/4 the time. Not instantaneous by any means, but real improvements.

Haha I still got to wait for everyone to load in Left 4 Dead or Left 4 Dead 2 though. Most people ask on my team or the other. You don't have to but then you risk the other team ragging. The only way to not have to wait is if everyone had SSDs and that won't happen anytime soon. Where it does has a huge advantage is when you play a game by yourself or a random 15 to 20 slot versus server. You can hop in very quickly. Change to a different one quite quickly. Otherwise with official games there is no use. Even some 20 slot versus servers have a 30 second timer to make sure everyone is in the game loaded. Sucks for SSD users but I can see how it is only fair. Good compromise.

That is the problem though we need instantaneous! Imagine what kind of power you would have if everything was instantaneous on the computer, except network/internet based stuff you have no control over that. Turn your pc on it is instantly booted up! Kinda like your tv.

 

[Zap]

Turn your pc on it is instantly booted up!

Your PC can do that right now. Just enable S3 STR in BIOS, and instead of shutting off Windows, tell it to go to sleep. Voila!

Actually, on socket 1366 systems it could still take a while, but have tried it on numerous socket 1156/775 systems and it is pretty damn near instant-on. Heck, my DVD player in the living room takes longer to turn on. I've measured, and when in sleep mode the computer uses maybe 1-2W of power.

Did you know that when your TV is "off" it still draws a couple watts too?

BTW I did try hoofing it in L4D2, and ended up pissing off both teams. :twisted: See, the bots aren't very good at lead footing it so I was way ahead and the bots were way behind and separated by the time others started joining.

 

[pcslookout]

Your PC can do that right now. Just enable S3 STR in BIOS, and instead of shutting off Windows, tell it to go to sleep. Voila!

Actually, on socket 1366 systems it could still take a while, but have tried it on numerous socket 1156/775 systems and it is pretty damn near instant-on. Heck, my DVD player in the living room takes longer to turn on. I've measured, and when in sleep mode the computer uses maybe 1-2W of power.

Did you know that when your TV is "off" it still draws a couple watts too?

BTW I did try hoofing it in L4D2, and ended up pissing off both teams. :twisted: See, the bots aren't very good at lead footing it so I was way ahead and the bots were way behind and separated by the time others started joining.

Thanks for the tip but I mean to actually turn your computer off and on where it will instantly bootup. Not a cheat like sleep mode hehe. I know about that. Even weak systems can do that for the most part.

Haha on the Left 4 Dead 2 thing. Told you. You won't be able to do that until everyone has a SSD and by the time that happens no one will be playing Left 4 Dead 2 anymore. So it won't matter really. Still it sucks because even if you do get in their quick you still got to wait. For some games it may be a good thing though.

 

[Zap]

Why is it a "cheat" if the end result is that the system goes from an "off" mode to being usable within Windows in mere seconds (2-3)?

Yeah, did that in L4D2 only one time just because. Probably won't do it again.

 

[Psyside]

Hi guys, this is my first post in this forum as you already guess i belong to the category new to SSD

So here are my questions.



I want to get one SSD as a boot drive.

Where i live this is the model available atm A-DATA S596TB-64GM-C turbo.


What i would like to know is the following,



1. How does this thing compare to other decent SSD?

2. In what segment of performance figures it does good and in what poor? how good is the new Jmicron controler on this thing?

3. How does ADATA S596TB-64GM-C rank in terms of reability comparing others brands? quallity build, support etc.

4. I got an Gigabyte GA-X58 board, and i have already raid0 setup using the blue sata ports. Basically i want to know what port should i be using for my new SSD, does it make a difference?

5. Do i need to left free space before instaling the OS on the SSD? i head that you should not format it to full advertised capacity? if so how much space should i left free?

6. Is it better to turn off pagefile or anything else?

7. Is it safe to use torrents, i heard that writing is very bad for SSD?

8. What should i enable/disable before instaling the SSD via Bios?

9. Should i move my temporary internet files folder to my storage raid0 disks?

10. Any more suggestion of what i should do or not, would be appericated


P.S. I know that this unit is not the best quality but still, want to know does it worth 100$? also if i manage to find the A-DATA AS599 Sandforce controled based version for similar price is it better to get it? I'm kinda confused because on newegg the Sandforce based version is 15$ cheaper then the Jmicron (both 64 GB)

Also the speed advertised for the versions is this

A-DATA S599 64GB

Sequential Access - Read:
up to 280MB/s
Sequential Access - Write:
up to 270MB/s

A-DATA S596 64GB


Sequential Access - Read:
up to 260MB/s
Sequential Access - Write:
up to 130MB/s

So its clear that the Sandforce based SSD is clear winner, but how does this 2 models act in terms of real world performance, does this advertised numbers even mean anything for home use?

As for end, if i can't find the S599 model is the S596 trubo worth the money? (100$) should i wait for the S599 to come on stock again, is it much better? ( also prolly i will have to wait long) or just go for S596? thanks and really sorry for numerous questions!

 

[Zap]

Hello Psyside, and welcome to Anandtech forums.

1. How does this thing compare to other decent SSD?

AFAIK it uses a Jmicron 612 chipset, which is considered lower end compared to current generation chipsets.

2. In what segment of performance figures it does good and in what poor? how good is the new Jmicron controler on this thing?

It is alright. Not spectacular in performance, but reasonably solid.

3. How does ADATA S596TB-64GM-C rank in terms of reability comparing others brands? quallity build, support etc.

Reliability shouldn't differ significantly versus other SSDs. Support-wise, I'm not familiar with A-Data.

4. I got an Gigabyte GA-X58 board, and i have already raid0 setup using the blue sata ports. Basically i want to know what port should i be using for my new SSD, does it make a difference?

The port just needs AHCI. Normally the ports supplied by the Intel ICH10R are the highest performance.

5. Do i need to left free space before instaling the OS on the SSD? i head that you should not format it to full advertised capacity? if so how much space should i left free?

Just don't use it all up. Probably leave 20% or so.

6. Is it better to turn off pagefile or anything else?

Optional.

7. Is it safe to use torrents, i heard that writing is very bad for SSD?

What is even worse is filling up a 64GB SSD. Why don't you use a separate HDD for your data and torrents?

8. What should i enable/disable before instaling the SSD via Bios?

Enable AHCI. You can also check the beginning of this thread because it is mentioned there.

9. Should i move my temporary internet files folder to my storage raid0 disks?

Doesn't matter that much, as long as it isn't set to take up tens of gigs or something.

10. Any more suggestion of what i should do or not, would be appericated

Read the beginning of this thread. It would have answered many of your questions.

 

[Psyside]

Wow, your a life saver, man! MANY THANKS! great forum indeed!

just few more questions and i'm done!


1. Should i update Bios/chpiset/ and the firmware for S596 or if everything works, leave it. If i do update the Bios, would it recognize my previous raid0 configuration by any chance or ill have to setup again?

2. What software should i use to check my ssd degradation and any possible issues/slowdowns, or even (cross fingers) bad product etc?



Thanks in advance! and sorry for slight offtopic, and ofc noob questions!

 

[Zap]

1) If it works, don't mess with it.

2) If it works, don't mess with it.