Bizarre dog-slow SSD

[Minotaar]

I recently built a rig by moving my old system SSD (a sata2 samsung PM800 from 2010) into an ivybridge system on a maximus V gene mobo. I sysprep'd the OS, moved it, and got windows 7 activated. But the PM800 was dog slow, by any standards:

sequential read (500MB): 186 mB/s
sequential write (500MB): 7.6 mB/s
4k QD32 (50MB) read: 25.45 mB/s
4k QD32 (50MB) write: 6.25 mB/s

The SSD's heath is good; it has about 25% free space, and most of the characteristics of a healthy disk. The OS was not moved on the disk, so its not a question of a misaligned partition. And the sata3 port it's connected to is faster (and presumably backwards compatible) with it's sata2 connection. Also, it performed just fine (anecdotally) before the move. Hence I am guessing the issue is with the controller, not with the disk itself (and thus it's relevancy to this subforum and not another)

Does anyone know how I might be able to restore performance to this disk, and what is wrong with it?

 

[HURRIC4NE]

what software did you use for the benchmark? ATTO is recommend and better than crystaldisk.

 

[Minotaar]

crystal; I'll try that. Any idea why this might be happening?

 

[Bubbaleone]

You don't mention which SATA port (Intel or Asmedia) you're connected to, so verify you're connected on (red) Intel SATA 6Gb/s connector. Did you update your storage drivers? Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver Software V11.0.0.1032, and Asmedia SATA Controller Driver V1.3.4.0 are the latest from Asus for the Maximus V Gene. Install Intel Chipset Driver V9.3.0.1021 prior, if you haven't updated yet.

 

[jcniest5]

You may need to update the firmware of the SSD as there may be an issue/glitch with the components being compatible with each other. I know for a fact SandForce 1xxx SSDs have compatibility issue with Z87 boards. Maybe (just saying) your SSD is having the same issue with Z77 board. Whatever, I'm sure there's info at the SSD mfr's website.

 

[Minotaar]

Thanks guys for the helpful information.

the PM800 is firmware version VBM25D1Q (appears that this is the latest)
physical and logical sector size is 512 (is that right?)
the partition is misaligned (I dunno I guess I thought I aligned it when I installed it and didnt)

-I am running intel RST 11.1.0.1006 (looks like that is old - will fix)

-I don't know how to check the version of the chipset driver - can you tell me where I can find this in windows 7?

-It seems I dont have the asmedia controller driver at all. That might be an issue. But my ssd is plugged into the intel sata 6gb/s port.

 

[jcniest5]

Use SSDLife to check the SSD's vital status and see if it gives any hints.

 

[TheELF]

I sysprep'd the OS, moved it, and got windows 7 activated.

Did you check if all the drivers got installed(and updated) for the new hardware???
Writing speeds that low could be caused by lack of trimm.

Zero filling(secure erasing) or giving the trimm command to the drive should fix the write speeds,get the tools from the seagate page.

 

[Minotaar]

Trim is enabled. see driver comments above. SSDlife reports 95% life, and overall healthy. It seems the issue is either the misalignment or the slightly old controller driver, but any and all suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Paragon's alignment tool works great, but it costs. Open source disk management tools like Gparted work great for aligning an SSD, as long as you're experienced with the command line. Over the last couple of years I've tested a lot of freeware disk management tools that claim to be able to align an SSD, and finally found one with a nice GUI, easy to use even for a beginner, that will perfectly re-align any SSD (or HDD). Watch their video presentation which clearly demonstrates how to use it for sector re-alignment, then download and run this excellent freeware: AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition

 

[cyrusfox]

That is a slow SSD. Not sure any of these tips can help all that much. I had the same drive in my last work laptop(Dell M4600). The write speeds seem a little lower than normal, but everything else you have posted seems to be inline with my prior experiences with that drive.

Fastest way to speed it up is to replace it. Ebay it and get a better drive. Its too bad as the nand endurance is quite high on those old drives. Good luck,

Please let us know if sector re-alignment works, I may try that on some of my sluggish drives.

 

[Minotaar]

Thanks for the info cyrus. What is the write performance (ballpark) that you were getting?

 

[Despoiler]

Do you have AHCI enabled in the BIOS?

 

[allenk09]

Are you running the OS on the SSD being tested?

 

[Minotaar]

yes, and yes. I've got a new samsung 840 pro 256 to switch to. Will migrate and let you know what performance is like on the old drive when not a system disk.

 

[mikeyanrol]

You may need to update the firmware of the SSD as there may be an issue/glitch with the components being compatible with each other. I know for a fact SandForce 1xxx SSDs have compatibility issue with Z87 boards. Maybe (just saying) your SSD is having the same issue with Z77 board. Whatever, I'm sure there's info at the SSD mfr's website.

Even if ASUS includes many high end features with the Z87-A motherboard,I think first generation controllers are not compatible with Z87-A, It seems that the Z87 will not allow for this as it requires strict adherence to the SATA specification. ASUS Z77 matx boards with the exception of the maximus v gene have quite a few bios problems

 

[Minotaar]

Wow the samsung 840 pro is amazing. Just wonderful. So much better. Their migration software wasted 400 megs on a partition in the front, no idea why, but I kind of dont care. Shit this fucker is fast.

I'm actually working with a Z77 (max gene V) board. Not sure if it matters, but there is definitely something wrong with it. Do you think I might get better performance if I plug the PM800 into the Asmedia port, instead of the intel port?

 

[RU482]

have you tried plugging it in to another computer as a secondary drive, and re-running the benchmark?

 

[allenk09]

yes, and yes. I've got a new samsung 840 pro 256 to switch to. Will migrate and let you know what performance is like on the old drive when not a system disk.

Isn't the OS constantly pegging the SSD which makes speeds terrible when testing it inside of the install you're using?

 

[ViRGE]

I have the OCZ version of that drive (256GB Summit). Your reads looks correct, as does your random write. However your sequential write is all wrong.

(OCZ Summit 256GB, firmware VBM19C1Q, 10% free space)
sequential read (500MB): 221.1 mB/s
sequential write (500MB): 164.7 mB/s
4k QD32 (50MB) read: 24.8 mB/s
4k QD32 (50MB) write: 6.18 mB/s

Given the terrible write rates, I have to wonder if you've somehow backed that drive into a corner as far as page management goes. I'd suggest backing up its contents, secure erasing it, and then reloading it. That will kill both page management issues and a misaligned partition at the same time.