Poor SSD Performance

After having rather high hopes for SSD Performance...I'm disappointed.
I'm glad I got a test unit, because if I would've shelled out the cabbage for this, I'd be a little PO'd.

I have an 8300 Quad Core 2.5 Intel with 4GB of RAM running W7 Pro 64 Bit.
Instead of trying to clone the old drive, I did what I thought was right and did a fresh install.

I loaded up MSE, Office 2010 and all Windows Updates.
Did a couple of tweaks (made sure defrag was off, DMA mode on instead of PIO, disabled indexing)

I have all the latest chipset, mobo, video, etc., drivers.

Yes, it boots into Windows to the desktop faster. No doubt.
Yes, it opens up windows faster and programs SOMETIMES as well.

But it multitasks terrible. If I'm download, installing, etc., anything...and try to move program to program, it's slow. To the point I think it's freezing up.

I've read a few of the tweaks here...and I'm missing something I think.

It's an Imation 2.5" M series 64GB drive. I know it's not the Vertex 2...but it has pretty decent specs behind it. Not the best, but it should do everything my SATA platter drive does better...period.

It doesn't.

What should I be looking for? (It shipped with the latest firmware, and trim is turned on...not like that matters since I only installed Win7Pro fresh a few hours ago...)

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

This is the one I was actually looking for.
SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7

Hope they help.

Mike

Clean install was the best bet IMHO.
Are you running in AHCI mode?

What does the AS SSD benchmark show?


It may be possible its just be that drive itself. I've not really read anything or done any research on Imitation SSDs though.

Keep in mind, the advertised specs usually show the Sequential Read/Write speeds.

In a sense, this actually not very reliable because how well the OS will perform is actually more about the random read/write.
Random read/Write is what makes the difference as well access time.


A SSD with a really high Seq. speeds, yet low random speeds will perform poorly overall compared to others.

This is why some (Intel for example) show 250Mb/s Read 70Mb/s Write, yet in reality will run circles around similar drives with seemingly higher specs.

Will get back to you in the morning folks...time to go relax!!
Thanks for the links and advice...I'll look into them in the AM!!!

Went through a ton of steps...
Gotta say, I'm disappointed with this drive.
I tried to run the AS SSD test but it hung on the 4mb write test...after sitting there for about 10 minutes I stopped the test.

Don't get me wrong, there are times when the drive is brilliant...as said, start up, opening programs...

But it seems like if I'm downloading or installing anything to C:, anything else just locks up or slows down to a crawl.
I'm not into heavy video editing, graphics, etc. I just keep a couple windows open (Outlook, Firefox with a few tabs, ITunes, etc.) and my platter drive does everything overall better.

The good thing is I got this drive as a demo...so I can send it back in 30 days free, I don't even have to pay shipping.

Looks like the OCZ Vertex 2 line is the hot ticket right now, probably pick up a 100GB drive in the next few months. I really don't feel like going through the whole OS install/tweak again.

My old drive really was fine, I just had to quench my thirst. Turns out, I'm not as thirsty as I thought....

Thanks for all the great links and tips... I read mostly not so great reviews, but you know how opinions are in the Internet...everyone has one. Turns out the majority of them were right in this case...:)

Just get a better SSD drive next time and I am sure you will be pleased. Anything with the new Sandforce controller, or the Intel drive should work great. I have an Intel X25-M g2 80GB and it works great. No slowdowns, stuttering, pauses, etc.

The Intel GB per $ still are pricey...but from the Reviews I've read the OCZ Vertex 2 or Vertex Limited Edition are the cat's meow now...
Care to comment?
Do you have a list of new sandforce controller SSDs?

My Intel is faster than then my Vertex (1).
However, the Vertex is still a very good drive.



With the Vertex 2, they have changed controllers and performance is supposed to be much better. Benchmarks seem to look very good as well.

I only have have the Vertex 1, so the only info I have on the 2's is by what others have said about them, and benchmarks I have seen.

The Vertex 1 certainly performs well, so any improvement on what was already good should make them that much more attractive :)

Intel and OCZ are the 2 brands I would look into personally.

Hopefully someone with a Vertex2 can chime in with some more specific info on that drive.

I know the Intel is a great drive...however, dollar per GB is still too high vs. the performance of the V2.
20% higher for the Intel and not as many options....
I'm gonna order the V2 later this week...thanks for all the help!!