SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7

Maco88 said:

whs said:

To check the alignment type msinfo32 into start/search and hit Enter. Then in the left pane open Components, then Storage and go to Disks. There you can see the offset.

Just came across this thread and checking my alignment.

What should I have?

My Partition Starting Offset is - 1,048,576 bytes

Is it aligned ok??

NVM guys, I read in a previous post within the thread that number for a Samsung drive is correct. Mine is a Samsung SSD 830.

That alignment is OK. 1048K is standard and divisible by 4.

Next, we need to make sure our ATA/ATAPI ACHI controller is set to use trim.
EDIT! 3/22/10: The new INTEL chipset drivers 9.6.0.1014 support TRIM! he new INTEL chipset drivers 9.6.0.1014 support TRIM! Use these instead of the MS AHCI ones for Intel Chipsets.

Reading that windows 7 will take care of the proper installation of my new SSD, without having to play around, I'll assume that TRIM and ATA/ATAPI ACHI controller is set to use trim will be included properly in a re-install of 7. That being said, I was trying to determine if this think pad:

Detailed specifications - ThinkPad T410

fell into the realm of the quoted text and if so would I need to do this manually or would 7 installer handle that as well? It is a factory refurbish, with windows 7 pro 64bit, which I will be performing a reinstall on the SSD

Getting a Samsung 840 pro 256GB btw

Also Enableing Write Caching, is this still a preferred method for SSDs?

Trim works automatically in Windows 7. There is really nothing you need to do. It is a good idea though not to fill the SSD to the rim. 10 to 15% freespace make the garbage collection easier.

Setting Windows 7 and the BIOS to AHCI is a good idea for slightly better performance. I set Write caching on in my systems. But I have never measured whether that make a difference one way or the other.

Hey guys!
Been awhile,,, So about 2yrs ago I followed lightningltd's tutorial here and let me tell you everythings has been sweet, flawless and super fast! I do/did have something bogging my boot for awhile recently and I couldn't figure out what but I think it was a usb port in use and or because i had dvd's in my drives, anyhow after a process of elimination fixed that I still have 30 sec or less of boot time. I just used a small 60 OCZ Agility SSD drive and well now its getting older,,,, I feel I want to upgrade so im going to purchase a newer larger SSD today, I don't have a lot of money so its still going to be small just a 120 but hey that's double what I have and I still have tons of storage space on other HDD's I have installed.

So my question is would I be better off just cloning my present SSD over to the new one and or just doing a complete fresh install and then find and install all my programs drivers ect...
And secondly I did make an image backup when I installed the OCZ after I had everything installed like drivers antivirus and stuff like that and ive kept that set away to the side BUT afraid if I reinstall from that then I still need updates, have lost account passwords (though they are backed up too its just tedious ect..) and im worried about having problems reinstalling the backup

Help me decide the best route to go!! Im thinking start fresh with everything and just deal with a few lost programs and accounts that can all be reset or re-found again anyway. But im also thinking the Image route maybe a faster quicker route than anything.


OPINIONS Please!!
Thanks

I would try the cloning first to save time, if you are not happy, then go for the clean install.

I think your right! just wondering if theres anything special I should do?
if all settings will transfer in the clone, id guess so since it would be an exact image,,, what about drive prep?
I purchased a brand new Patriot Blaze 120 which should be a little faster as well. I figure if all goes well then I will wipe the OCZ and add it as a second storage drive and to link my temp files to and I also have an additional 320gb WD HDD, Im not a space needer you couldn't give me a 1 terabyte drive id never need it all I have to much junk as it is plus theres so many free or inexpensive "cloud' type services now too if I ever needed more space i can find it or add another storage drive.

Hmmm now that I think of it I better remember to unlink my temp files that lead to my 320 WD HDD before I do the clone,,, right?

I think the clone transfer will take care of everything

Dude is on the money here mate and don't forget this for the freshest version - might save a bit of updating:)
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7