TRIM watch

[hideki]

With the impending release of Windows 7, there's the promise by manufacturers of firmware updates for their SSD to support the TRIM command.

For me personally, I'm waiting for this update before purchasing an SSD.

What is TRIM?

The TRIM command allows an operating system to tell a solid-state drive (or "SSD") which data blocks are no longer in use, such as those left by deleted files. An OS operation such as delete generally only means the data blocks involved are flagged as not in use. TRIM allows the OS to pass this information on down to the SSD controller, which otherwise would not know it could trash those blocks.

The purpose of the instruction is to maintain the speed of the SSD throughout its lifespan, avoiding the slowdown that early models encountered once all of the cells had been written to once

May as well keep the information in one place, as currently its scattered about various threads.

Here's what we know so far:

Intel: (fixed firmware)

New firmware (v1.5) here:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18363
Intel® Solid-State Drive Toolbox:
v1.2

Crucial:

M series::
http://www.crucial.com/support/firmware.aspx
P series:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18092890

The download page as been updated but the link doesn't work yet.[/QUOTE]

OCZ:

Regular Vertex and Vertex EX also AGILITY and Agility EX updater ISO's...Turbo will come a little later be patient.

1.4 has TRIM and will suit win7 and any OS with TRIM support.
1.41 has GC and will suit any OS with no TRIM support or raid arrays. http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63498

GSKill:

http://gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=2496

As always with Firmware updates, use caution and follow the manufacturers instructions as directed. Use at your own risk.

TRIM benchmark roundup:
The SSD Improv: Intel & Indilinx get TRIM, Kingston Brings Intel Down to $115

 

[hideki]

any driver updates can also be included

 

[hideki]

Previously I heard that Intel is only supporting TRIM for its G2 drives and not for the G1, presume this is still true?

Think so, haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise. Although still no sign of the firmware for the G2s yet.

 

[hideki]

Yes, good idea ChileanLlama. I'll edit the first post as any updates are posted to the thread.

 

[hideki]

From what I've read on the ocz boards, the native windows drivers support TRIM, but the Intel matrix drivers don't work yet.

 

[hideki]

No news from Intel yet unfortunately.
Hopefully we'll see something before the end of the week.

 

[hideki]

TRIM can be enabled in w7, but if the drivers and firmware don't support it, the command is ignored by the system.
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx#9594848

 

[hideki]

Im right in thinking i have read on these forums that the intel x25-m 80GB wont require a format when it comes to updating firmware for TRIM support... right?

At least with the other manufacturers that seems to be the trend, however until Intel release the new firmware we wont know 100%. I'd say its a good bet though.

 

[hideki]

Hi,

i am currently using a 160gb intel g2.
I was wondering if TRIM will keep my drive at top performance? I ask because i have seen peoples benchmark results. A few i've seen i have noticed a dramatic drop in certain areas (especially after a months use, some numbers are nearly 40% lower, mostly in the writes section, but reads suffer a bit too). I was wondering if the TRIM is going to stop that.

Also in preparation for windows 7, i would like to know how i go about wiping my ssd to its original factory state before i install the new OS?

Thanks,

Phil.

TRIM should reduce performance degregation over time.
Good description here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIM_(SSD_command)

As for wiping the SSD, this thread might help:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=15096816

 

[hideki]

New firmware here:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=17485

Interesting, in the release notes:

26 October 2009 2CV102HA This firmware revision supports the ATA Data Set Management Command “Trim”. Also, this firmware revision includes several continuous improvement optimizations that provide for increased write performance on 160GB drives.

 

[hideki]

Not having TRIM wont put your data in danger. It should reduce the performance degradation seen pre-trim over time as the drive fills with data. The update is optional

 

[hideki]

Completely off topic, but... Hideki, is your name taken from Chobits?

a common question, alas not the source of my nick

 

[hideki]

AFAIK the "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller" and x6 "ATA Channel"s under "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" are the native drivers. That is, the ones included as default/fresh installation.

 

[hideki]

Added GSkill to the first post, as reported elsewhere on the hd forum.

Intel firmware is still down, no eta.

 

[hideki]

I guess what you see in the device manager depends on whether your using IDE or AHCI:

 

[hideki]

My drivers have the same date but different version (6.1.7100.0) as I'm on W7 RC.

Some further words on the topic: http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63611

 

[hideki]

Intel has released the new version of the Intel® SSD Toolbox (version 1.2) which fixes the issue with the Intel® SSD Optimizer

 

[hideki]

Trying to run the SSD toolbox optimizer, every time i try and run it it gives me "Intel SSD Optimizer error" which is a pretty useless error!

I've got the latest firmware, windows 7 and running in AHCI mode, can't see what else i need!

If you are running only W7, technically you don't need the optimizer.