Firmware update for my Intel 670p SSD (Asus Vivobook laptop)

[sunyata52]

Greetings,

Sometimes I experience really slow speeds, especially when writing on the SSD. The speed can go down to a few MB/s, and after some time it goes up to normal, and then it goes down again...

I have come to find out that for my Asus laptop's internal SSD Intel SSDPEKNU512GZ (670p) a newer firmware is available than what I have. The firmware I have is 002C, and the latest version is 003C (it was released years ago). I found out about this new firmware from google and from your (Solidigm) website.

My laptop model is X1502ZA, and, unfortunately, neither on the Asus Download Center nor in MyAsus is there any mention of this newer firmware and that it has to be installed.  This SSD came pre-installed by Asus when I bought this laptop.

It is very important for me to know what the risks are that come with this update. What could go wrong? Could I lose all my data, or lose access to the SSD, through this update process? If something wrong happens, I don't know if my warranty will help, since they don't mention this firmware on their official channels of communication (Asus website and MyAsus).

Is it a problem if more than 3 years of usage have already gone, and I update the firmware only now?

Also, very importantly, my Windows that I use is installed on this SSD. Can I update the firmware from Windows? Or do I have to do it before Windows boots, from a bootable USB stick? I mention that I have Secure Boot enabled.

Thank you for any help!

Respectfully,

Adrian C.

[SolidigmGleb]

Hello Adrian,

Thank you for the detailed description.

Based on the firmware version you reported (002C), your Intel® SSDPEKNU512GZ (Intel® 670p) is not an OEM‑restricted variant. Therefore, the firmware version 003C available on the Solidigm website is compatible with your SSD, even though it was pre‑installed by ASUS.

Firmware version 003C includes improvements related to performance consistency and stability and may address the intermittent write‑speed degradation you are observing.

Regarding your questions:

• Firmware updates are generally safe. However, as with any firmware update, there is a small risk if the process is interrupted (for example, by power loss). For this reason, we recommend backing up important data before proceeding. Under normal circumstances, the update does not erase data or affect drive accessibility.
• Installing firmware provided by Solidigm on a compatible SSD does not void the SSD warranty.
• Updating the firmware after several years of use is not an issue and does not negatively impact the update process.
• You can update the firmware directly from within Windows, even if the operating system is installed on the SSD. A bootable USB is not required, and Secure Boot does not prevent the update.

The firmware update can be performed using the Solidigm™ Storage Tool for Windows, available here: https://www.solidigm.com/support-page/drivers-downloads/ka-00085.html

Please ensure the system is connected to a stable power source during the update.

Best regards,

Gleb
Solidigm Support

[sunyata52]

Hello Gleb,

Thank you so much for your response and your guidance. I will do the update soon.

I have a question about the tool that has to be used: the Solidigm Storage Tool the or Solidigm Synergy Toolkit.

You told me to use the Storage Tool. I wanted to share with you that, for some reason, ChatGPT and Google Gemini recommended the Solidigm Synergy Toolkit instead of the Solidigm Storage Tool. They said that the Synergy Toolkit is designed more for client NVMe SSDs (like my Intel 670p), while the Solidigm Storage Tool is geared more toward data center / enterprise SSDs and that it's less user-friendly.

Now, I'm sure that A.I. can be wrong sometimes. So, I wanted to check and confirm with you specifically about this information.

Also, I see that the Storage Tool is more updated than the Synergy Toolkit, and that it has a graphical interface and not just a command line interface (maybe the A.I. chatbots don't know this yet).

Thank you for any help.

Best regards,

Adrian C.

[SolidigmGleb]

Hello Adrian,

We understand where the confusion is coming from.

For your Intel 670p SSD, the correct tool to use for firmware updates is the Solidigm Storage Tool.

There are multiple Solidigm utilities available, which can lead to mixed recommendations online. However, for firmware updates, Storage Tool is the current and supported option. It works for client drives like yours and provides a graphical interface for use within Windows.

The Solidigm Synergy Toolkit is not required for firmware updates.

You can download the Storage Tool here:
https://www.solidigm.com/support-page/drivers-downloads/ka-00085.html

Let us know if you run into any issues during the update.

Best regards,
Gleb

Solidigim Support

[sunyata52]

Thank you very much Gleb for your clarifications. I will do the update soon and let you know how it goes.

The speed on my SSD is getting really slow, I noticed this today also. Hopefully the update will fix this.