SSDs: Do I need to restrict ~15% of space for 'performance'?

Cythx

Cythx

Cythx

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I am getting a Crucial M4 64GB SSD.

I'd like to know if there is any point in restricting myself to use only 85% of the drive, as I've been told that is generally a good idea for SSDs.

However, I've also been told that with the M4 specifically I shouldn't bother as I can only use 60 GB of the '64 GB' and 4 GB has supposedly been closed off for the above reason.

Can I just fill my SSD up as much as I like or should I leave 9 GB?
 
i thought that that spare 10% was for background defragging processes, which dont occur on ssd's i dont think - so with that logic you shouldnt need to leave any free on an ssd

but this could be COMPLETELY wrong and im interested to know what the actual answer is :)
 
^ Yes, I thought it would be something like that too. But I've been told otherwise from someone who has the drive, but he could just be misinformed.
 
The M4 definitely gives you the full space to work with, whether it's a good idea to fill it right up though I've no idea.
 
Thanks, I'll read that. 54-58GB is more than enough for W7, all my apps, certain files that will accumulate (save files) and about 2 games if I feel like it.

However, does the does the 4GB which is always unusable contribute towards the advisory 10% free space? Or should I cut out an additional 6GB, leaving 10GB unusable?

If I need to cut out an additional 6 GB: Can I remove 6 GB from the C drive as a partition when installing Windows 7 so that I don't have to worry about 'getting too full'?
 
u can reduce this amount but u may get errors etc. and lose the ability to strore fault info on the likes of windows event viewer
 
Is that link still relevent? It's over 2 years old.

If it's relevent, it shows: "More available space, lends itself to more efficient TRIM/GC operation, thereby improving real world performance."

Meaning I SHOULD leave ~6GB free, but then, I still need to know if I only need to keep 2GB free as I already don't have access to 4 of the 64GB.
 
Cythx said:
Do you know if the Crucial M4 64GB has a few hidden GBs meaning I can fill up my drive and not have to worry?
Click to expand...

i would thinkso,they have to reserve/lock a few gb's to maintain the ssd ect over time

if it was an asynchronous nand drive you would see performance drop off as the drive got fuller and fuller,the m4 uses synchronous nand where this problem doesnt happen
 
Cythx said:
Do you know if the Crucial M4 64GB has a few hidden GBs meaning I can fill up my drive and not have to worry?
Click to expand...

If it is a multiple of 8/16/32 (depends on drive size) then no.

The Crucial M4 drives are all multiples of 16/32 (depends on each flash chips density).

For example:
Cruical 64GB M4 = 8x8GB = 64GB
My 300GB Intel 320 = 20x16GB for 320GB total (7% not accessible for wear protection and all that jazz).

So ideally you'd want to keep some free.
 
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Okay, so I am advised to use a maximum of 54 GB, leaving 6 GB free.

Is it fine to just leave 6GB as a separate partition when I install Windows, so that I don't have to worry about how much space I'm using?
 
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i dont wanna trample on toes but i think your ok to fill it up,leave maybe 2gb free,reduce your pagefile from probably 8gb if its on auto to 2gb,theres a 6gb saving on your ssd
 
Ya I know about not needing a pagefile.

Anyone else care to confirm what Wazza is saying? That I only need ~2GB free and not an additional ~6GB ontop of the already inaccessible 4 GB?
 
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