SSD - fact or fiction: reset to factory default? [MythBUSTED!]

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Batman

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#136679 5-Dec-2013 10:20

Hi my OCZ Vertex 2 has been decommissioned from its old job. I have Other plans for it.

Question is do I need to clear the cells to get the best out of it or do I just delete partition and start reinstalling a new OS

Google seems to suggest one or the other

Ps let me know this clear.

I don't care about data i just want it to run at the fastest possible speeds

andrewNZ

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#945946 5-Dec-2013 10:30

In SSD's, overwriting data reduces write performance.

My understanding is that the TRIM function flags files for removal and they are actually deleted, not just removed from the partition table.

I don't know what would happen if you just deleted the partition, there is a chance performance would suffer until all sectors had had something written to them.

timmmay

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#945951 5-Dec-2013 10:33

I'd just format it, not a quick format, a full format, but I'm not an expert in this area.

alexx

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#945977 5-Dec-2013 11:35

Wow, an OCZ drive that is still functional.

If the SSD has been in an environment where TRIM was in use and is going into an environment where TRIM will continue to be used, there is probably little benefit in doing any special tricks.

If you want to clean it up, then the proper way to do this with an SSD is to do a secure erase - I've done this from linux command line:
https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase

But I believe you can also do this with Parted Magic.
https://partedmagic.com/

#include <standard.disclaimer>

Batman

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#945981 5-Dec-2013 11:47

No don't want to clean it up

Want to make sure it functions at the maximum potential.

So no one knows if overwritten data is bad because this is what's going on if the cells are not polished

Thanks

1080p

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#945985 5-Dec-2013 11:53

Full disk encryption is also a good way to solve the issue. :)

Batman

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#945989 5-Dec-2013 12:00

How is that going to help??

andrewNZ

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#946012 5-Dec-2013 12:21

So I've done a bit of reading around, and the conclusion I came to is this. Either delete the the partition and do a secure erase.
or
Install the new OS, but let it do a full format.

My conclusion is primarily based on these:
http://superuser.com/questions/188985/how-badly-do-ssds-degrade-without-trim
http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD-Knowledge/TRIM-and-SSD-performance-why-is-it-important/ta-p/100276
https://communities.intel.com/thread/31547

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Batman

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#946031 5-Dec-2013 12:58

thanks. i think there are 2 things

1) if you really want the best 100% you do a full erase to "restore to factory condition"

problem - i encounter problems at every step - you can only do it via bootable usb/cd-r, my usb is too large to create dos bootable fat32 etc etc etc ...

i just don't have time

2) the ssd is so fast that even if you don't follow the above and just write over it oh well who cares

after spending a long time trying i'm going to pick 2.

the vertex 2 running on a core 2 duo - it ain't gonna be my ssd that will be the limiting factor :D it's just for my wife to browse the internet!

option 2 for today :D

option 1 for another day another scenario!

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#946165 5-Dec-2013 18:21

I think I have a definitive answer (unless there is something else i don't understand which is quite possible)

I simply deleted the partitions in my old drive.
Cloned my other drive that has 3 partitions and lots of crap onto it - the cloning process keeps the SSD alignment that is crucial so no issues there.

Now my SSD is full of overwritten junk many times over.

I deleted the front 2 partitions. I moved the 3rd partition to fill the drive.

Now my SSD is overridden with so much overwritted junk you won't believe it.

I ran AS SSD to check the speeds of the space that NOT been TRIMMED.

I ran TRIM to clear those cells. Re ran AS SSD. No difference EXCEPT latency decreased by 0.025 MILIseconds.

There you go ... clearing cells make little difference. Having the free space does.

Before TRIM

After TRIM