X301: About to buy an Intel X18-M SSD...*UPDATE*: Its Here!

[jayexel]

I would really appreciate any opinions you guys have. Current setup is in sig (X301, 5400rpm drive).
$1100 + $50 (1x2gb ddr3) + $170 (ssd) = 1300 for basically a top-of-the-line X301. Not too shabby i think

Very nice, my friend was bragging about getting this setup too. Sorry to say i think he's got you beat. X301(MSStore $800) + $30 (2GB ram) + $150(Dan elec SSD kit w/ intel x18m) = $980 for I think the same setup. I think he got it at the same place you did, lol. He sold the 120GB hdd the x301 came with and the DVD drive, and bought a dock, extra battery, and the battery that fits into the side of the X301. Almost a grand for the X301 with a SSD, a dock, and two extra batteries.

[efrant]

[snip]
Also, what should I do for upkeep on the drive? I have it set to never turn off the SSD when im plugged in, and i plan to leave it on overnight once a week or so so trim and garbage collection can do its thing but is that pretty much it?

Do you have the latest firmware? TRIM is not supported on the G2 drive unless you update to firmware version 02HD. You can get it here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... ldID=18363

As well, I would install this: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... 5&lang=eng

[Investinwaffles]

Very nice, my friend was bragging about getting this setup too. Sorry to say i think he's got you beat. X301(MSStore $800) + $30 (2GB ram) + $150(Dan elec SSD kit w/ intel x18m) = $980 for I think the same setup. I think he got it at the same place you did, lol. He sold the 120GB hdd the x301 came with and the DVD drive, and bought a dock, extra battery, and the battery that fits into the side of the X301. Almost a grand for the X301 with a SSD, a dock, and two extra batteries.

Yea, i jumped the gun a little bit but its OK. I also upgraded to the 3 year depot + adp warranty.

I was looking to upgrade to an (from an x41-t) X200s (from an x41-t), but this deal kind of fell into my lap. I wasn't really looking to nickel-and-dime so I spent a few more bucks for the G2 drive, and I did not expect them to drop the price even more on the X301 (it was around 1600+ from lenovo directly w/ a 3 cell battery and no dvd drive!).

Do you have the latest firmware? TRIM is not supported on the G2 drive unless you update to firmware version 02HD. You can get it here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... ldID=18363

As well, I would install this: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... 5&lang=eng

Hey thanks, I had no idea I didnt have the most recent firmware (Im apparently running version 02HA).
And the Intel SSD tool looks very handy, do you know what the SSD Optimizer actually does (Under management tools)?

[Investinwaffles]

Also, I like to put movies/tv shows on my laptop (only a few to keep me entertained on the bus and stuff). For flights I use my 16gb flash drive. Will it impact the performance of the SSD by having the hdd around 60/80gb full (20gb free space)?

[efrant]

Hey thanks, I had no idea I didnt have the most recent firmware (Im apparently running version 02HA).
And the Intel SSD tool looks very handy, do you know what the SSD Optimizer actually does (Under management tools)?

In order for TRIM to work on your x301:
1) you need to have the G2 version of the Intel drives
2) you need to have the 02HD firware flashed to the Intel G2 drive;
2) you need to have Windows 7 installed;
3) you need to be have Microsoft's ACHI driver, not the Intel Matrix storage driver. If you have the Intel driver, you need to reinstall the Microsoft driver.

Once you have these four, TRIM automatically works, with no user input from you. If you don't have the G2 drive, or you are not using Windows 7, or you are not using Microsoft's ACHI driver, the Intel SSD Optimizer will essentially do what TRIM does, all in one shot.

[Investinwaffles]

I have:

G2 drive,
02HD Firmware
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

And I cant tell if I have the MS or Intel driver (In device manager, the intel drive shows a microsoft driver from 2006!)
Is that correct? I would like to get TRIM completely working (as I had no idea it was not working, Crystal disk info said the drive had TRIM enabled even with the last firmware).

[efrant]

I have:

G2 drive,
02HD Firmware
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

And I cant tell if I have the MS or Intel driver (In device manager, the intel drive shows a microsoft driver from 2006!)
Is that correct? I would like to get TRIM completely working (as I had no idea it was not working, Crystal disk info said the drive had TRIM enabled even with the last firmware).

You need to check the sata driver, not the driver for the ssd...

[Investinwaffles]

According to the driver page under the ICH9M SATA controller I have the intel drivers. Any chance you could link me to the correct MS ACHI driver file?

Also, the combo of all the stuff listed will negate any benefit from the intel program/any other ssd "optimization" program because it will essentially do its own garbage collection, correct?
Or do the programs do different things?

[efrant]

According to the driver page under the ICH9M SATA controller I have the intel drivers. Any chance you could link me to the correct MS ACHI driver file?

You already have the driver, as it comes with Windows 7. You probably used Lenovo System Update, which changed it to the Intel one. What you have to do is go into Device Manager, right click on the ICH9M SATA Controller and click on "Update Driver Software". Then click on "Browse my computer for driver software". Then click on "Let me pick from a list of devices...". Then click on the "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller". Reboot, and you're ready to go!

Also, the combo of all the stuff listed will negate any benefit from the intel program/any other ssd "optimization" program because it will essentially do its own garbage collection, correct?
Or do the programs do different things?

Correct. Once you have it set up properly, you will have enabled Windows 7 native support for TRIM, so no other software is required, and no other input from you is required. Running Intel's SSD optimizer via the Intel SSD Toolbox will be redundunt, but will not hurt in any way.

And yes, everything is done in the background, so it should be transparent to you. The good thing about TRIM support is that you do not have to leave your computer idle; it will still work while you are using it normally... and you shouldn't notice any difference in performance.

[efrant]

Also, I like to put movies/tv shows on my laptop (only a few to keep me entertained on the bus and stuff). For flights I use my 16gb flash drive. Will it impact the performance of the SSD by having the hdd around 60/80gb full (20gb free space)?

Note sure what you are asking. Are you asking if having your SSD three-quarters full would impact performance? No it wouldn't.

[Investinwaffles]

Note sure what you are asking. Are you asking if having your SSD three-quarters full would impact performance? No it wouldn't.

Yeah, thats pretty much what I'm asking (if I left say a few seasons of Trailer Park Boys or the like on it).

Thanks so much for your help! I got everything working/oriented correctly now. I had no idea I had to do all that, so I greatly appreciate the help.

[efrant]

[snip] a few seasons of Trailer Park Boys
[/snip]

I love rye & coke!

[efrant]

Note sure what you are asking. Are you asking if having your SSD three-quarters full would impact performance? No it wouldn't.

Just to clarify my comment (before someone else jumps all over it): SSDs, some controllers more than others, do reisgter a performance drop the more full they get (as do regular hard drives, although for different reasons), but at three-quarters full, I don't believe it will be noticable for the Intel drives.

P.S. Annand says his rule of thumb is to keep 20% of space free to not notice softer performance.