Preventing SSD performance degradation

[jberling]

I have read the AnandTech article os SSDs, but I just can't get a grip on this:
Is there a way to keep the performance degradation of SSDs under control? I plan to use an Intel X25-M as system disk running Win XP32. Wouldn't it be possible to make a backup, wipe the disk using some tool and then restore the backup, resetting the performance to what it once was? Or would the restore put the whole disk into the same state as before I made the backup? Any special backup tools that could do the trick?

 

[Idontcare]

I thought the latest firmware for Intel's drives eliminated much of the performance degredation situation with their drives?

Is this not the case?

 

[jberling]

Originally posted by: Idontcare
I thought the latest firmware for Intel's drives eliminated much of the performance degredation situation with their drives?

Is this not the case?

Yes, it would definitely be interesting to know. I've read Intel's claim but so far I have not seen any tests supporting it.

 

[taltamir]

there is no performance degredation (slow decrease over time from value C to 0), there is a LIMITED one time performance DROP (rapid fall from value A to value B which is bigger than 0) from "unfragmented" to "fragmented" status. intel drive firmware handles it well... and the TRIM command would make it possible to always have "unfragmented free space" speeds all the time once implemented. but even in the fragmented speed bracket you are still faster than a regular drive.

however, value B is not very constant, it fluctuates up and down while averaging it (over a long period... this is because the issue is fragmentation). So if you are seeing a slow decrease now, you can expect to see some INCREASE later on

 

[terentenet]

Yes, I've also heard Intel drives have that degradation problem fixed. Anyway, you can also use Diskeeper Hyperfast to maintain your drive.

 

[Old Hippie]

you can also use Diskeeper Hyperfast to maintain your drive

I've used it on my Titan and Intel units but I have no idea if it actually does anything.

I'm thinking it just might be magic smoke. :laugh:

 

[terentenet]

On the Intel unit it might now show any improvement since the Intel drive can take care of itself. It should show something on the Titan though. It shows some improvement on the Vertex drives.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: terentenet
Yes, I've also heard Intel drives have that degradation problem fixed. Anyway, you can also use Diskeeper Hyperfast to maintain your drive.

As I said there is no DEGREDATION... there is the performance drop of internal fragmentation and there WAS a BUG in the intel firmware that caused massive loss of speed due to a firmware ERROR. This error only occured if you had a very unusual write pattern (usually from special benchmarking). Once it happened you had to clear the drive. BUT, intel's updated firmware WILL cause the performance to recover on a bugged out drive one it is updated; as well as preventing it from occurring in the first place.

 

[coolVariable]

Originally posted by: taltamir

Originally posted by: terentenet
Yes, I've also heard Intel drives have that degradation problem fixed. Anyway, you can also use Diskeeper Hyperfast to maintain your drive.

As I said there is no DEGREDATION... there is the performance drop of internal fragmentation and there WAS a BUG in the intel firmware that caused massive loss of speed due to a firmware ERROR. This error only occured if you had a very unusual write pattern (usually from special benchmarking). Once it happened you had to clear the drive. BUT, intel's updated firmware WILL cause the performance to recover on a bugged out drive one it is updated; as well as preventing it from occurring in the first place.

Yup. Had it happen on mine and got fixed by the fw update.