About to buy a SSD - Help...

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 09:48

Definately looks like I'm going for the OCZ Vertex 2 120gb. Anyone got one?

I've heard I have to enable something in my bios to run AHCI? Not sure if that's right and not too up to scratch with HDDS etc. That won't effect anything to do with my overclock as I have overclocked my core i7 920 to 4ghz?

I doubt it will but just want to make sure as I don't want to spend weeks tweaking that again.

I'm running bios version 1802 on rampage 2 extreme.

What would I need to do with the new SSD, upgrade firmware, TRIM etc?

Sorry, new to all of this.

RoEy

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 10:22

Anyone? Really want to buy it now so it will come tomorrow. There seems to be a lot required to do to get them set up correctly.

RoEy

darkwildchild79 · 10 Dec 2010 at 10:39

regarding achi and enable it wont effect your overclocking because it should be dependant from all over features.

Philtor · 10 Dec 2010 at 10:42

To enable AHCI just have a look in your BIOS for something along the lines of 'controller mode' or 'controller type', sorry I don't have your exact board so can't be anymore specific. With regards to installing the SSD here's a checklist:

- Check for updated firmware first of all and apply this if necessary.
- Connect SSD into system and disconnect all HDD's prior to install.
- Set SATA controller to AHCI mode in BIOS (see above).
- Install Windows.
- Connect up HDD's again.
- Run Windows experience index assessment.

How to check TRIM is enabled - open a command prompt as an elevated user (run as admin).

Type the following:

fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify

If the result is '0' TRIM is enabled.

Never do a full format with a SSD, just a quick format and of course don't try to Defrag one either

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 10:47

Right, I got some of that, I think....

How do I apply a firmware upgrade to it without plugging it in? What do I do about degfrag then, do I disable it? I'm a newbie to SSD and it looks like a lot of stuff to learn. Hope it's worth it. Just bought it.
RoEy

Philtor · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:01

RoEy said:
How do I apply a firmware upgrade to it without plugging it in? What do I do about degfrag then, do I disable it?

You would connect it up to your existing PC on a secondary SATA port to apply the firmware update if necessary so think of it a little like a slave drive in this case except it's not

You need to be in AHCI mode to update the firmware by the way.

When installing Windows 7 it should customise the install for the SSD so in other words it will turn off disk defrag as it knows you are installing on a SSD. To check this after the install just type dfrgui into the search box and you should see under schedule 'Scheduled defragmentation is turned off'.

DragonQ · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:37

These are the steps for setting up your OCZ Vertex 2(E) optimally:

1) Enable AHCI in your BIOS. Follow this guide otherwise Windows will blue screen after you enable AHCI.
2) Attach the Vertex 2(E) as a secondary drive and use the OCZ Toolbox to update the firmware and then secure erase it.
3) Shut down your PC, disconnect all other drives and install Windows 7. Tell it to install to the raw unpartitioned space on the drive - do NOT create a partition or format manually. After install make sure scheduled defragmentation is disabled for your SSD (click Start and type dfrgui, as philtorrens said above).
4) Download and install Intel RST 9 series drivers or AMD drivers (depending on your chipset - in this case, Intel RST will work on X58 motherboards) and restart.
5) Do an ATTO benchmark and Windows Experience Index. Don't unnecessarily do more benchmarks than you need cos it will reduce performance - one is enough to make sure everything is working fine.
6) Re-attach your other drives and away you go.

The drive's garbage collection coupled with TRIM should leave it running at near-maximum speed for the life of the drive. If you're paranoid about giving the garbage collection enough time to run, or you use the drive for particularly heavy use, you can leave the PC on but logged off for an hour or two a week.

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:39

Right ok. Sounds good. I'll remove my overclock and enable ahci. The update firmware, I'm guessing I get this off the site and can you update it while in windows?

I'll then install OS on it and remove the ugly, loud 750gb drive I have and leave the 1tb samsung in with it for data. The review said the ssd comes with a 3.5 drive adapter, hope so.

Have I made a good choice in the ssd I've gone for? The reviews seem good.

RoEy

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:41

DragonQ said:
These are the steps for setting up your OCZ Vertex 2(E) optimally:

1) Enable AHCI in your BIOS. Follow this guide otherwise Windows will blue screen after you enable AHCI.
2) Attach the Vertex 2(E) as a secondary drive and use the OCZ Toolbox to update the firmware and then secure erase it.
3) Shut down your PC, disconnect all other drives and install Windows 7. Tell it to install to the raw unpartitioned space on the drive - do NOT create a partition or format manually. After install make sure scheduled defragmentation is disabled for your SSD (click Start and type dfrgui, as philtorrens said above).
4) Download and install Intel RST 9 series drivers or AMD drivers (depending on your chipset - in this case, Intel RST will work on X58 motherboards) and restart.
5) Do an ATTO benchmark and Windows Experience Index. Don't unnecessarily do more benchmarks than you need cos it will reduce performance - one is enough to make sure everything is working fine.
6) Re-attach your other drives and away you go.

The drive's garbage collection coupled with TRIM should leave it running at near-maximum speed for the life of the drive. If you're paranoid about giving the garbage collection enough time to run, or you use the drive for particularly heavy use, you can leave the PC on but logged off for an hour or two a week.

That is awesome and exactly what I wanted! Now I can look forward to it coming tomorrow morning! I got it for £175.

Thank you mate and thanks all.

RoEy

DragonQ · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:46

Not sure why removing your overclock would be necessary (I didn't). It seems to me that if your overclock is stable, it's stable. But if it makes you feel more secure during the process then by all means.

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:47

DragonQ said:
Not sure why removing your overclock would be necessary (I didn't). It seems to me that if your overclock is stable, it's stable. But if it makes you feel more secure during the process then by all means.

Yeah it's deffo stable, IBT 20 max runs, 8 hours prime. It mentioned in on OCZ website to not install on an overclocked system, wont hurt to turn it off while putting OS on then back on after I guess. Thanks again mate. A very big help.

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 12:06

Could you explain what this means :

The drive's garbage collection coupled with TRIM should leave it running at near-maximum speed for the life of the drive. If you're paranoid about giving the garbage collection enough time to run, or you use the drive for particularly heavy use, you can leave the PC on but logged off for an hour or two a week.

Plus, when windows is back on should I put all my other drivers on and windows update before doing the ATTO benchmark?

RoEy

bushy24 · 10 Dec 2010 at 12:54

RoEy said:
Definately looks like I'm going for the OCZ Vertex 2 120gb. Anyone got one?

I've heard I have to enable something in my bios to run AHCI? Not sure if that's right and not too up to scratch with HDDS etc. That won't effect anything to do with my overclock as I have overclocked my core i7 920 to 4ghz?

I doubt it will but just want to make sure as I don't want to spend weeks tweaking that again.

I'm running bios version 1802 on rampage 2 extreme.

What would I need to do with the new SSD, upgrade firmware, TRIM etc?

Sorry, new to all of this.

RoEy

let me know how you get on with the ssd bud, im also wanting to upgrade..

also were did you get it from.

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 12:57

bushy24 said:
let me know how you get on with the ssd bud, im also wanting to upgrade..

also were did you get it from.

Will do bushy! Can't say where I got it from, forum rules. sorry. It's coming tomorrow morning though, can't wait! Thanks Santa!

RoEy

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 12:58

Another thing, if defrag has to be disabled, how does the OS keep itself running smoothly?

RoEy

JennyXT · 10 Dec 2010 at 13:24

Is it possible to flash to a new firmware after installing the OS on to the SSD?

I don't have a spare sata port

Philtor · 10 Dec 2010 at 13:25

RoEy said:
Another thing, if defrag has to be disabled, how does the OS keep itself running smoothly?

SSD's do not need to be Defragged unlike conventional HDD's. The only thing that you are going to be doing by defragmenting is actually reducing the MLC or SLC lifespan by unecessarily accessing dormant cells. TRIM / Garbage Collection keeps it running smoothly.

DragonQ · 10 Dec 2010 at 13:54

Indeed, defragmentation is not necessary for SSDs and will actually reduce their lifetime.

RoEy · 10 Dec 2010 at 14:00

philtorrens said:
SSD's do not need to be Defragged unlike conventional HDD's. The only thing that you are going to be doing by defragmenting is actually reducing the MLC or SLC lifespan by unecessarily accessing dormant cells. TRIM / Garbage Collection keeps it running smoothly.

So do I disable defrag totally or can I allow it to continue on my other hdd?

Does the TRIM / Garbage run automatically and I shouldnt have to do anything with that?

Is this the correct RST file driver to install?

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...ctProduct=Intel®+X58+Express+Chipset&lang=eng

I've downloaded the english one, 6.46MB

With regard to the ATTO, do I test it with the default settings, like total length 256mb etc? I've downloaded the ATTO V2.46

I'm at work at the minute but I've created a folder that now contains the ATTO Benchmark, OCZ Toolbox to update firmware / secure erase and RST 9. Have I missed anything out?

Thanks again,

RoEy

DragonQ · 10 Dec 2010 at 15:25

RoEy said:
So do I disable defrag totally or can I allow it to continue on my other hdd?

You can allow it to run on your other HDDs.

RoEy said:
Does the TRIM / Garbage run automatically and I shouldnt have to do anything with that?

It runs by itself - leaving the PC idle will normally allow garbage collection to "catch up" but with "average" usage patterns it probably isn't necessary to purposefully leave the PC idle for any period of time.

RoEy said:
Is this the correct RST file driver to install?

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...ctProduct=Intel®+X58+Express+Chipset&lang=eng

I've downloaded the english one, 6.46MB

Yes.

RoEy said:
With regard to the ATTO, do I test it with the default settings, like total length 256mb etc? I've downloaded the ATTO V2.46

Yeah default settings are fine.

RoEy said:
I'm at work at the minute but I've created a folder that now contains the ATTO Benchmark, OCZ Toolbox to update firmware / secure erase and RST 9. Have I missed anything out?

Not that I can think of.