topic Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks in Archive

SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:17:31 GMT

I am getting sequential writes in the 30MB/s and reads in the 40MB/s range using AS SSD benchmark.

Firmware is 2CV102HD.

Could the drive encryption be the reason for this (PGP full encryption)?

Thanks a lot!

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:54:39 GMT

Yes, encryption would likely be the reason. There is an issue with SSD Toolbox and encryption, just as with RAID. I assume you are not using the msahci driver for AHCI and need to run Optimizer for TRIM. The following is from SSD Toolbox Read Me:

The Intelâ SSD Toolbox cannot detect the difference between a drive in a RAID configuration and a drive that is using encryption.

· When the Intel Optimizer function is set to run on a drive that has been encrypted, the SSD Toolbox software cannot determine if the drive is in RAID mode or if the drive is using encryption technology

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:02:34 GMT

I can't find it now, but I would expect same issue with encryption using msahci driver is possible.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:25:21 GMT

Are you using Windows 7?

I found some more information about the Optimizer that conflicts somewhat with the other information I posted above. This is from the SSD Toolbox Optimizer White Paper:

Q2 Will the Intel® SSD Optimizer work with my drive encryption software?

A2 Yes, the Intel® SSD Toolbox will work with encryption software. On Windows Vista* or Windows 7, a prompt will appear within the Intel® SSD Toolbox allowing the user to force the Intel® SSD Optimizer to execute if the user can verify that their Intel SSD is not part of a RAID array. Clicking "accept" will optimize the drive successfully. On Microsoft Windows* XP, it will work with no additional user input required.

http://download.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/intel_ssd_optimizer_white_paper_rev_2.pdf http://download.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/intel_ssd_optimizer_white_paper_rev_2.pdf

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:36:38 GMT

Thanks ambizytl!

Yes, I am running Win7 64 bit. I did get the raid / encryption warning when using the optimizer from within the toolbox, clicked ok and it did the optimization fine. It did not improve the performance, though.

In the Windows experience index, I get a score of 5.8. Pretty embarassing.

Just to confirm: my SSDSA2M080G2GN is a Gen 2 drive, correct?

Is there anyting that can be done to improve the performance?

Thanks again, guys!

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:59:57 GMT

Yes, that would be a G2 drive.

Seems like TRIM may not have run. Do you have Disk Defragmenter disabled or turned off for the SSD? I assume you are not doing RAID. Are you running in AHCI mode? What port is the SSD in? What SATA AHCI controller and driver do you have?

Just so you know, I will be back in a few hours.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:45:19 GMT

ambizytl,

the optimizer said that it had finished.

This is a laptop that I just got yesterday. The automatic defrag was enabled to run once a week when I got it, but I disabled it right away.

SATA is configured as AHCI. I can see an "Intel ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI controller" in device manager, driver version 8.9.0.1023, provided by Intel.

No RAID.

Thanks for your help!

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:03:37 GMT

Have you run the optimizer? Try running it again. Do you have the optimizer setup to run on a schedule or are you going to do it manually?

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:44:05 GMT

I just re-ran optimizer, it turned green and showed the status as "passed". No performance change. Really, I would not have expected any, as the system was built yesterday.

I am planning on running the optimizer manually.

Starting to think that the performance hit comes from the encryption. It's a very very bad hit though, much more than I would have ever expected. Bummer. 😞

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:06:45 GMT

Please post a screenshot of your AS SSD benchmark results. Save the screenshot and upload here in your message. It could be the encryption but maybe something will show up in that screenshot.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:19:00 GMT

ambizytl, here is the screenshot ....

Do you see something suspicious (except that the results are bad)?

What are the results you'd expect?

Thanks a lot again!

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:36:27 GMT

Why did you block out the firmware information and driver, etc.? Everyone posts the complete picture and there is nothing to worry about. I wanted to see what driver, firmware, and whatever else shows, so post again with complete picture, and don't worry! There is nothing in that blacked-out area that anyone could make use of.

Yes, the results are bad, but post it again without the blacked-out area. I will show you one of my test results using the 80GB drive, and I have two others that are both 160GB.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:39:51 GMT

By the way, I noticed your drive doesn't state ATA device as mine does. How is your drive displayed in Device Manager? ATA...SCSI...?

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:41:44 GMT

Here you go ... I did not know what some of the numbers mean, so I just blocked it out before.

Thanks!

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:46:17 GMT

Not really sure how to answer your last question. It shows in device manager just under "Disk drives", it does not say ATA, SCSI or anything. Where exactly would I look for that?

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:03:28 GMT

Well, I would suggest installing Windows 7 with BIOS set to AHCI and use default msahci driver, which runs TRIM automatically without SSD Toolbox. You will also get Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller on your system by doing the install.

At this point, I don't know if encryption is the issue or your driver and BIOS mode. The other thing is I don't see ATA Device listed after your drive, as you see in my picture. Does Device Manager list your drive as an ATA Device?

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:06:35 GMT

In Device Manager click on Disk drives to expand the list and tell me what it says or post a picture. I don't think you have the right setup--something is wrong if you don't see ATA Device listed on same line as your SSD.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:10:14 GMT

ambizytl, this is what it says in device manager (see below).

Unfortunately, OS re-installation is not an option at this point. Unless I know 100% for sure what the issue is, how to fix it and I can back it up.

Please let me know what you think about the screen shot. Not sure what it's supposed to say there.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:10:21 GMT

After the model number on same line in my system with Windows 7 it says ATA Device. It could be encryption is your problem, as you alluded to earlier, but first let's try something else:

I suggest switching to msahci driver to see if that helps: Go to Device Manager>IDE ATA ATAPI controllers>right-click the ATA Channel with your SSD>click Update Driver Software>Browse Computer for Drivers and choose Microsoft Standard AHCI driver from the list.

Re: SSDSA2M080G2GN bad benchmarks

idata — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:47:53 GMT

It lists "IDE Channel" instead of "ATA Channel 0". hmmm .... Any idea?