Summary of SSD Tweaks

[Bare Foot Kid]

I tried to tell you in post #2.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'll try that as a fallback option, but I'm thinking it would just be easier to reformat and try again.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I tried to tell you in post #2.

You did and so did WHS, but I had read in the guide that alignment wasn't necessary for a new drive, that Windows 7 would do it for me automatically. This was a new drive, straight from the box.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I tried to tell you in post #2.

You did and so did WHS, but I had read in the guide that alignment wasn't necessary for a new drive, that Windows 7 would do it for me automatically. This was a new drive, straight from the box.

Look at the snip I posted for the commands in the correct order; I'd do the clean all now.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'm following your guide now to clean all and then I'll just create a new partition and do the Windows 7 install all over again. No harm, no foul...and this is yet another reason I never put in my serial keys until everything is setup and working properly.

It was a blank drive when I started the install and didn't align properly, so I'll follow the guide through to using diskpart to create the partition...and then continue on with my install.

 

[Wishmaster]

You can check alignments here as well:
SSD Alignment Calculator | techPowerUp


Unless HDTune is just giving whacky numbers. it isn't really designed for SSDs.

have you tried AS SSD or Crystalmark to see what they say?


Thats a bit wierd. Would like to know the cause.

I have never had to align a new SSD if letting Win7 manage the instal/partition creation.

BTW, did you install in AHCI mode?

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'll try those other benchmark tools once I get Windows 7 installed again. I followed the guide to get to the diskpart console, and now my Offset was listed as 1024 KB, just like the screenshot suggested. I'll report back once I finish the install and try out one of the tools. Thanks for the info!!!!!

 

[whs]

Deacon, I am sorry you are having so much trouble with the alignment. Theoretically, a Win7 installation should align it - but that's theoretically (although it has done it on 3 of my SSDs). But as usual, the old manual way is the safest. Do the Diskpart deal - then you should be safe.

I am really curious how that will impact (improve) your performance numbers. They say that there can be a performance difference of up to 300% between aligned and non-aligned. But I have never really tested that.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Don't be concerned about doing "clean all" on the drive, it won't hurt it, I've done bunches.

I know you said you weren't concerned about the SysResv partition but if you did want to create it, here are the commands in the correct sequence, I just created it for you.

I would not format with the installer, I'd select "Windows 7" to install to and click next.

The SysResv partition is a very useful tool to have; if I was creating it I'd make it at least 200MB and 300MB would be better.

​

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Here's an odd situation; a couple days ago I clean installed Windows 7 Ultimate to my main machine and as you can see from the snips below I did aligns on both partitions before the install started using diskpart. Sorry for the Hal look of the pic.

The second is from the Paragon Alignment Tool and clearly the first "System Reserved" partition is miss-aligned, does anyone have any thoughts?

​

 

[gregrocker]

Hello DF.



With the newer SSDs I don't believe any 'tweaks' are really necessary and may hinder performance, the only thing that may be useful, not really sure it makes a difference though, is to align it before the install starts; have a look at this snip for an out-line of the procedure.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
Of course you would not need to do a wipe (clean all) to a new SSD.

click to enlarge
View attachment 107624
​

I may be missing it somewhere but where is the passage in this tutorial describing how to align an SSD?

All I see is how to wipe with Diskpart (not needed on new SSD, as you said) and create a partition.

But doesn't a new SSD only need alignment?

So wouldn't this be the tutorial needed? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

 

[whs]

That is puzzling. You may remember that other people reported misalingments after they made a normal win7 installation where the installer should take care of a proper alignment. No idea how that happens.Maybe the people on the OCZ or Intel forums would have an answer.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello DF.



With the newer SSDs I don't believe any 'tweaks' are really necessary and may hinder performance, the only thing that may be useful, not really sure it makes a difference though, is to align it before the install starts; have a look at this snip for an out-line of the procedure.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
Of course you would not need to do a wipe (clean all) to a new SSD.

click to enlarge
View attachment 107624
​

I may be missing it somewhere but where is the passage in this tutorial describing how to align an SSD?

All I see is how to wipe with Diskpart (not needed on new SSD, as you said) and create a partition.

But doesn't a new SSD only need alignment?

So wouldn't this be the tutorial needed? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

I really wish you'd at least look at these tutorials before you make comments about them.

See Step Two #2 and #3 for the info, thank you.



Hello whs, I just find it odd, in the past I have not used diskpart to align partitions and Windows 7 has done it correctly; I intend to do more 'real world' clean install tests with this and I will keep you informed.

 

[whs]

Suggest you check the alignment after each step of the way. Maybe you can at least find out at which step it is happening.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Suggest you check the alignment after each step of the way. Maybe you can at least find out at which step it is happening.

That's a very good idea, thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

I really wish you'd at least look at these tutorials before you make comments about them.

See Step Two #2 and #3 for the info, thank you.

There is no reason to be rude.

I was looking for where in the tutorial you showed how to align an SSD.

Who would suspect it would be buried in the commands for partitioning without any explanation that the partitioning of SSD or HD included aligning an SSD?

I will use Wolfgang's tutorial which explains that it is for aligning SSD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

My apologies for the curt reply, you just always catch me off-guard with your comments.



Simply because the credit for this info belongs to whs I have now added a link to his excellent tutorial under Step Two #2, so it should get the recognition it deserves.

 

[whs]

Thanks for the credit. I wish you guys would stay friends.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Thanks for the credit. I wish you guys would stay friends.

You're welcome.

I consider us friends, sometime friends have discussions.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I have the system up and running, benchmarking faster now. I also just verified my alignment, and it is still intact.