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SSD 510 compatibility problems with Macbook Pro

idata
Esteemed Contributor III

Hello,

it seems there is a compatibility problem between the Intel 510 Solid State Disks and the new (early 2011) Macbook Pro. A lot of people (including me) are experiencing problems with this SSD in their new Macbook Pros. See for example

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=12192122# post12192122 http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=12192122# post12192122

http://www.macuser.de/forum/f10/welche-ssd-fuer-425659/index107.html http://www.macuser.de/forum/f10/welche-ssd-fuer-425659/index107.html (German)

To be fair, there seem to be similar problems with Crucials C300

http://forum.hardmac.com/index.php?s=0c6a8e832764fd8a9497e34b57df7b68&showtopic=9921&pid=17870&st=0&... entry17870

The problem may be related to the SATA 3 mode utilized between the mentioned SSDs and the Intel Sandy Bridge SATA-Controller. I don't know and can't tell if Apple or Intel are responsible for these problems, but I think it is in the uttermost interest of Intel to resolve them (or make Apple resolve them). Otherwise Intel will have a hard time selling new SSDs to Apple owners...

The http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-029623.htm# 4 Intel SSD FAQ states:

All Intel Mainstream Solid-State Drives are tested and validated on the latest Intel-based notebook and desktop platforms.

I bought Intel for getting a reliable SSD for use in my Intel based notebook. Now it isn't working properly at all. I'm very disappointed.

regards,

Markus

73 REPLIES 73

idata
Esteemed Contributor III
I'm still trying to figure out if the root cause explaining the SSD's SATA III (for instance Intel 510) vs MBP2011 incompatibility issue is due to:

A) The SATA cable (see my post above);

B) The SATA "series 6 chipset design error" (google the text in quote for more info);

C) The SSD itself (don't think so given the number of posts?).

D) Software

E) Something else

Any idea any one?

idata
Esteemed Contributor III

A) Changing the SATA cable changes results. But there is also evidence against the cable being the (only) cause for the problem. See also http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=12254426&postcount=181 my recent post on macrumors.

B) I don't think the chipset design error is to blame since it should not affect SATA III ports 0 and 1.

C) Don't think so since different models from different manufacturers are affected.

D) Maybe. Maybe combined with A (see above).

idata
Esteemed Contributor III

Same issue here. Brand new MBP 2011 17" 8GB RAM, brand new 250 Intel 510-series SSD. No way to make it work.

I waited a long time for this combo to become available before I purchased both item, really a shame the two biggest HW partners can't get their parts to work with each other.

idata
Esteemed Contributor III

Any updates on how to resolve this issue? This is definitely a show stopper for me, not going to puchase a MacBook Pro until a permanent resolution is figured out.

idata
Esteemed Contributor III

Got my new cable from iFixit, installed and did a fresh OSX install from my recovery DVD. Reset SMC, reset nvram + pram. System profiler shows 6Gbps negotiated speed, xbench shows 130MB/s random reads. Not very impressed, but it worked.

UNTIL THE MACHINE WENT TO SLEEP... I had already disabled hibernation, but that had no effect. Exactly the same situation. 45 second long spinning beachballs every time I clicked anything.

So, now I am boxing up the 510 SSD and sending it back to NewEgg, the SATA cable is getting shipped back to iFixit, and I am going to either wait a week for the OCZ Vertex 3, or order a Vertex II.

Thd part that really annoys me is that we have had no response from Intel on this page.