Trim and the Intel Toolbox
TRIM
One of the main problems with earlier generation SSDs is that they lose performance over time by a noticeable degree. With the advent of Windows 7 a new command allowing the operating system to fix this speed reduction has been introduced; TRIM.
Before TRIM
The gradual degradation of performance in SSDs was caused by the way that the file system handles delete operations. Data is stored in the memory cells in pages (typically around 4k in size) grouped together into blocks of 128 pages for 512k in total. While write operations can be performed at the page level, delete operations can only occur at the block level. Therefore, writing data to an SSD is very fast, but only if there is a fresh page to write to. If there isn’t then previous pages need to be overwritten and it takes far longer because the entire block must be erased. This triggers a read-erase-modify-write cycle which involves the entire contents of block being stored in a cache, then the information being erased and finally the fresh data written to the pages.
Now
With the advent of TRIM technology this limitation has been largely overcome, as the command allows the operating system to automatically perform garbage collection routines and inform the SSD which data blocks, for example those made up of a deleted file, can be considered suitable for preferential writing, thereby avoiding the need to cache the current information while it erases the block’s contents.
The TRIM command is executed in most instances when an operating system is idle. However, Intel saw fit to provide a tool that allows you to call up this process on command via their SSD Toolbox which also houses several other features. This is great for those record-breaking benchmarking runs and also gives the obsessive-compulsive computer enthusiast something to do each morning.
Included is a manual optimisation tool which includes the TRIM instruction, basically performing everything that the automated feature does and other tweaks. Intel recommends that you perform this function once a week.
Other features found in the Toolbox include the ability to check all the drive’s SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) commands are working correctly, view drive information which gives you a detailed breakdown of your SSD and a couple of diagnostic functions which check your drive is in tip top shape and working as it should.
This Toolbox will only work with Intel’s latest generation of 32nm SSDs and unfortunately isn’t available to those with older 50nm models – it sure sucks to be an early adopter.
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