News - Intel brings TRIM support to 34nm SSDs, again

[HEXUS]

Intel's latest SSD Firmware Update Tool restores TRIM functionality, and shouldn't brick your drive.

Read more.

[shaithis]

There are going to be a few happy hexites tonight

[cptwhite_uk]

I bought one of those 80Gb X18-M drive from Expansys. I'm guessing it wasn't a 34nm version as it was black, does this firmware only work with the 34nm versions, does my drive support TRIM?

[s1lv3r]

I will try this shortly (X25-M 34nm)

Just going to run a 'before' benchmark to test for the sequential write.

[aidanjt]

I bought one of those 80Gb X18-M drive from Expansys. I'm guessing it wasn't a 34nm version as it was black, does this firmware only work with the 34nm versions, does my drive support TRIM?

This firmware update tool provides the latest firmware for the following Intel SSDs in all capacities:
- Intel® X25-M/X18-M SATA SSD on 50nm (black case) - updates to FW version 8820
- Intel® X25-E SATA SSD on 50nm (black case) - updates to FW version 8850
- Intel® X25-M/X18-M SATA SSD on 34nm (silver case) - updates to FW version 02HD

So, the firmware update tool will work on your drive, but I don't think there'll be any TRIM support, yet.

[Andi-C]

Work 1st time for me with no fuss ! No issues on the Intel support Forums yet (finger crossed)...

I Wiped My drive with HDDErase and flash on a clean drive...Don't know if its just me but it does seem to be quicker, could be because I partition the drive down to 70gb before Win 7 install...All good so far !

[MrRobin]

Will probably do this at the weekend on mine (X25-M 160Gb 34nm). Hopefully any potential issues like last time would have been highlighted by then!

Andi-C, why did you wipe it first? Is this necessary?

[MadduckUK]

could be because I partition the drive down to 70gb before Win 7 install...All good so far !

that helps SSD's as well does it? weird

[aidanjt]

I doubt it would really make a different to the SSD with the modern block juggling techniques employed.

[Andi-C]

Will probably do this at the weekend on mine (X25-M 160Gb 34nm). Hopefully any potential issues like last time would have been highlighted buy then!

Andi-C, why did you wipe it first? Is this necessary?

No is not necessary, my drives performance dropped & I just wanted to get the drive back to is full Read & write / Factory state...

[Andi-C]

that helps SSD's as well does it? weird

Yes. There was a thread about it on the Intel SSD forum...

Intel powerpoint link within the thread...

"Intel says that you can increase endurance of the X25-M by 3.5X by lowering its capacity slightly".

http://communities.intel.com/thread/8559

[GheeTsar]

I think I might leave it a few days to see if anyone has any other problems!

[aidanjt]

I think I might leave it a few days to see if anyone has any other problems!

I wouldn't blame you, either.

[[GSV]Trig]

Yes. There was a thread about it on the Intel SSD forum...

Intel powerpoint link within the thread...

"Intel says that you can increase endurance of the X25-M by 3.5X by lowering its capacity slightly".

http://communities.intel.com/thread/8559

Does that work with all drives?
Whats the percentage you should lowering the partition size by?

[Andi-C]

Does that work with all drives?
Whats the percentage you should lowering the partition size by?

Sorry don't know about all other makes of SSDs but I cant see why not ? And from what I can make out the more you Partition better performance !...

I've opened up a can of worms here

[sayer]

Hey guys,

I update the firmware nicely, ran crystal disk mark before and after, results are below...

Before

Read/Write
Seq - 257.9/75.9
Rand
512k - 201.3/53.75
4k - 21.17/32.69

After + Optimizer run

Read/Write
Seq - 255.8/108.3
Rand
512k - 200.5/108.2
4k - 20.08/46.25

Sayer