Question Problem with TRIM on SSDs

[-dc]

I have a pb with TRIM.
It works on two drives (internal), but not on two others (connected via USB3).
On W7 (64), Command prompt: DisableDeleteNotify = 0. So TRIM is enabled

Hard Disk Sentinel gives the following:

SSD 850 EVO 500GB = one of the two disks where TRIM works.
Performance 100%
“The TRIM feature of the SSD is supported and enabled”
Disk Controller: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller (ATA)

SSD 860 QVO 2TB = one of the two disks where TRIM does NOT work.
Performance 80%
“The TRIM feature of the SSD is supported but disabled.”
Disk Controller: Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller

I have been told that TRIM does not pass through USB connections (or at least most of them).

So, if TRIM will not pass through on USB, I am thinking that I could get a PCI controller card with an eSATA connector cable – and that passes TRIM. Would that do the trick? Can you recommend one (make, model, ref)? Especially one that also provides the disk drive power supply?

Do we know why TRIM will not pass via USB? Why have the USB designers not built that in?

Many thanks - david

 

[SSD Sean]

Does your board not have more than just two internal SATA ports? Seems strange to only have two internal ports...

TRIM support depends on the USB controllers (and firmware) and driver used. Normally TRIM doesn’t work unless both support it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think that:
1) If you use a USB3.x enclosure / SATA6G, that supports UASP (SCSI over USB protocol), and
2) Use Windows 10 newer editions, that have built-in support for UASP, then

Generally, TRIM can be supported, via the UASP "UNMAP" SCSI command, if implemented in the bridge chip. Not sure about Win10 support for that, if you would need a custom driver for the SSD connected via USB or not.

 

[-dc]

Does your board not have more than just two internal SATA ports? Seems strange to only have two internal ports...
TRIM support depends on the USB controllers (and firmware) and driver used. Normally TRIM doesn’t work unless both support it.

I have 6 internal SATA ports - all used. Two of them have SSDs, both with TRIM enabled and working.
I have some drives that I use externally, so that I can travel with them. One of them is my main data drive, a 2TB SSD.
I have switched from spinning drive to SSD, as it is easier and safer to travel with.
However, the TRIM does not work on the external SSD.
And I think that it is better for it work, especially for a drive that is used a lot, and has a lot of data on it.
Thanks, david

 

[-dc]

I think that:
1) If you use a USB3.x enclosure / SATA6G, that supports UASP (SCSI over USB protocol), and
2) Use Windows 10 newer editions, that have built-in support for UASP, then

Generally, TRIM can be supported, via the UASP "UNMAP" SCSI command, if implemented in the bridge chip. Not sure about Win10 support for that, if you would need a custom driver for the SSD connected via USB or not.

Thanks. I'm using Win7. So I'm thinking that a PCI card with an external port for eSATA will allow TRIM to be enabled. But do they all do that, and how to know if they do or not before buying?
What is UASP?

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Thanks. I'm using Win7.

In that case, UASP support is very, very limited. Licencing is done by MS for Windows 8.1 and newer, but you have to use MS drivers. Manufacturer supplied USB3 drivers generally do not support UASP.

I'd say eSATA is the best option in your case.

So I'm thinking that a PCI card with an external port for eSATA will allow TRIM to be enabled. But do they all do that, and how to know if they do or not before buying?

All you need is a bracket adaptor for one of your regular mainboard SATA ports. They're fairly inexpensive. I would recommend using SATA ports with hot plug support. Otherwise, you should only plugin/unplug when powered off.

You'll only really need a PCI/PCIe card if you're out of SATA ports.

What is UASP?

USBAttachedSCSIProtocol. Basically SCSI-over-USB.