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Samsung 256GB SSD Benchmark Results **UPDATED**

Industro said:
First person to post the link to buy this Corsair drive from a U.S. retailer wins a cookie!!! :D

Methinks this will be the "retail-ready" version of Samsung's 256GB SSD and will most likely have the latest firmware (all the 256GB Samsung drives we've been struggling with are OEM pre-release "Rev 0" models). It is very difficult to procure one of these brand new (and not a system pull) and if you do manage to score one and there is something wrong, getting a replacement is an uphill battle.

My second Samsung SSD was purchased from Dell, but they wanted to charge me a restocking fee for returning it. I tried to explain the drive was defective I was getting errors, but they wanted to "confirm the issue" before authorizing the exchange. Naturally, they wouldn't provide Tech Support if the drive is installed on a Mac OS X system, so I had to do some creative tap dancing to get the returns department to authorize the exchange. And still, there is no guarantee that the replacement will be error-free.

I am hoping the Corsair will be ready for prime-time consumer use (and easier to return/exchange if all doesn't go well). It would be great to just buy these from New Egg or somewhere similar.

They supposedly went on sale TODAY. Anybody know where???
Click to expand...

I've been looking, too. Still nothing. I bet tomorrow.

Not like I have that kind of cash anyways... :rolleyes:
 
For comparison of my Xbench results, how should I run the test? My overall test is usually 90-100, but I am booted off the drive while I test it. Is this how everyone is testing their speeds?

I have the "older" firmware on my drive: VBM15D1Q
 
Since I have 2 Samsung 256GB SSD drives with the older firmware.
I decided to return one back to Dell and get Intel X25-M that will become my OS drive and I'll use one Samsung that I have left as a data/working drive :D
 
poppap said:
Since I have 2 Samsung 256GB SSD drives with the older firmware.
I decided to return one back to Dell and get Intel X25-M that will become my OS drive and I'll use one Samsung that I have left as a data/working drive :D
Click to expand...

Did Dell charge you a restocking fee? They made me jump through a ton of hoops to return mine without a restocking fee. I'm waiting with baited breath for the Corsair!!!
 
Industro said:
Did Dell charge you a restocking fee? They made me jump through a ton of hoops to return mine without a restocking fee. I'm waiting with baited breath for the Corsair!!!
Click to expand...

No problem at all... In fact, the customer care agent is the one who suggested me to return it after I'm inquiring about getting the new firmware. He set me up with the UPS pickup the next day. It may be because I bought from the Small Business store and they have different set of customer care agents or just my luck...
 
poppap said:
No problem at all... In fact, the customer care agent is the one who suggested me to return it after I'm inquiring about getting the new firmware. He set me up with the UPS pickup the next day. It may be because I bought from the Small Business store and they have different set of customer care agents or just my luck...
Click to expand...

So, if your Samsung SSDs are functioning properly, why are you seeking updated firmware???
 
Industro said:
So, if your Samsung SSDs are functioning properly, why are you seeking updated firmware???
Click to expand...

From Malcster Xbench numbers, the 4K random read/write is a lot better than what I have...
Or may be because I'm adventurous... hahaha...
BTW.. I just ordered 160GB X25-M for $645 after all the cashbacks...
 
poppap said:
From Malcster Xbench numbers, the 4K random read/write is a lot better than what I have...
Or may be because I'm adventurous... hahaha...
BTW.. I just ordered 160GB X25-M for $645 after all the cashbacks...
Click to expand...

Heck... I'd buy Intel in a second if they made a 256GB SSD. Right now I just wish I could score an error-free SSD! :mad:
 
poppap said:
Sorry that you got the troublesome drives..
Both drives I got are perfect...
Click to expand...

I wish there was a way that I could test one of the "properly working" drives in my MBP to rule out any other possible issues. I find it strange that 2 of 2 drives are bad (one of the brand new).

Holding my breath for my replacement from Dell, and if that one is bad too, I'll run off my 7200 RPM HHD until the Corsair P256 becomes available.

I wish Intel made a 256GB version. I hear the new firmware makes the X25-M scream even after severe fragmentation! Bravo! :cool:
 
poppap said:
Since I have 2 Samsung 256GB SSD drives with the older firmware.
I decided to return one back to Dell and get Intel X25-M that will become my OS drive and I'll use one Samsung that I have left as a data/working drive :D
Click to expand...

Hey poppap,

Did you ship your Samsung SSD back to Dell yet???

If not, I'll seriously consider buying it off you for the same price you paid Dell (that is - if my replacement is faulty). :eek:
 
Industro said:
Hey poppap,

Did you ship your Samsung SSD back to Dell yet???

If not, I'll seriously consider buying it off you for the same price you paid Dell (that is - if my replacement is faulty). :eek:
Click to expand...

Industro,

Sorry, it's already on the way back to Dell... I was in a hurry because I anticipated the refund from Dell before the close of my CC cycle so that I don't have to pay too much additional for the Intel.. As I said.. the customer support for business division is too efficient.. I have to hurried backing up and secure erase the drive since he scheduled the return pickup the next day..
 
I finally got the replacement Samsung 256 ssd from ebay seller this week. I had some initial problems formatting but eventually got that done. I first erased with zero's and did GUID.

Something I noticed right out the gate was it said "not supported" next to SMART status. So I would assume this is why when I try to run SMART utility it doesn't recognize the disc correct?

I take this to not be a good thing. Could the seller have done this? The disc is also not recognized by xBench.

I'm running these tests on the ssd with it attached through an eSATA dock. All other drives I've been able to recognize and use this way.
 
So, how do we get the latest firmware???

I have VBM15D1Q and I would like the newest (is it VBM1801Q?).

My drive is benchmarking around 100-130 on Xbench, but the random 4K read is pretty low (~3MB/sec).

I've seen other benchmarks more than twice as fast. Is this because of my firmware, or are others testing it differently than me? (I'm testing while booted from this drive, but got similar results when booted from a separate USB drive).
 

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jb56 said:
I finally got the replacement Samsung 256 ssd from ebay seller this week. I had some initial problems formatting but eventually got that done. I first erased with zero's and did GUID.

Something I noticed right out the gate was it said "not supported" next to SMART status. So I would assume this is why when I try to run SMART utility it doesn't recognize the disc correct?

I take this to not be a good thing. Could the seller have done this? The disc is also not recognized by xBench.

I'm running these tests on the ssd with it attached through an eSATA dock. All other drives I've been able to recognize and use this way.
Click to expand...

This doesn't sound good at all. :(

I would try installing it on your main internal SATA connector (inside your MBP), do another zero-level format with GUID partition, and see how that goes. If SMART is still not supported, I wouldn't keep the drive because you'll have no warning if it starts to go bad. I ended up getting a refund from the eBay seller, but he made me pay a 10% "restocking fee." :rolleyes:

Just curious... have you installed the OS on the drive and booted from it yet? Have you experienced the same "hangs" as before???

I'm still waiting from my replacement from Dell. If this one is perfect, I'm giving up and going with the new Corsair P256 or I'll stick to my 7200 RPM HDD until Intel comes out with a 256GB SSD.

This is really starting to get on my nerves, but it's the price we pay for being early adoptors I guess.
 
Looks like the new Corsair ("Samsung") P256 SSDs are starting to pop up in online stores, but they are either not yet in stock, or the prices are in the $900+ range (rediculous - considering you can buy the same Samsung from Newegg now for $669).

Just search Google for the manufacturer's part number "CMFSSD-256GBG2D"

The best deal I found so far is for $782, but it isn't in stock yet:

http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Sh...+4294957729&Sort=Availability&DefSort=Y&Term=

I'll pick one up when it gets closer to the price of Newegg.

Anyone else find the "Corsair-branded" Samsung 256 SSD anywhere for a decent price?

I'm willing to bet these Corsair SSDs have the latest firmware because they just started shipping (unlike the OEM Samsungs that have been floating around for a while).
 
krypttic said:
So, how do we get the latest firmware???

I have VBM15D1Q and I would like the newest (is it VBM1801Q?).
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but you'll have to live with it..
I asked both Dell and Samsung..

Dell said to return and buy a new one (if you're still within the return period)

Thank you for contacting Dell.

I understand that you are requesting for a replacement for the Hard
Drive with just a newer firmware. I do apologize for the confusion
that this may have caused you. As per the previous email, we can
only issue like for like replacement. Meaning, it is going to be
same item. Even if it is just the software. If you really wish to
proceed with the new firmware. I highly suggest that you return the
item for credit and just simply reorder the correct item.

I will be more than happy in helping you in returning the item back
to us. Please reply back to this email for me to be able to do the
necassary actions.

Thank you for choosing Dell.

Respectfully,

xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Email Case Number xxxxxxxx
Customer Care Specialist
ABO Customer eCare
Dell Inc.
Click to expand...

And...
Samsung said they don't support firmware upgrade and won't release it. (Unless Dell released it like they did with 32GB/64GB SLC firmware update?)

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Samsung Semiconductor.

I am sorry we can not support you. We do not support f/w update.

If you have any further questions, please send us more question again or visit our Homepage(http://www.samsungsemi.com).

Sincerely,
Semiconductor Business
Samsung Electronics Co,.Ltd.
Click to expand...
 
Same as Intel firmware update..
I just updated X25-M to firmware 8820 and the data is intact...
 
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