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Samsung 256GB SSD Benchmark Results **UPDATED**

Serious performance issues with Samsung 256 SSD

Got this drive up and running for about a week now. Large files = no problems. Random writes / reads with 4K blocks (typical for os x) = catastrophy.

See results below:

Standard Test Results

(Cycles: 5)
< Insert Chart Here > Seq. Read Seq. Write Ran. Read Ran. Write
4 KB 29.350 20.669 13.130 2.797
8 KB 51.888 30.469 21.635 5.674
16 KB 83.729 58.771 35.195 12.062
32 KB 94.084 77.139 49.243 27.713
64 KB 129.508 106.972 80.736 45.251
128 KB 146.326 140.531 120.417 76.622
256 KB 185.732 170.881 163.641 99.810
512 KB 217.253 188.974 200.256 130.358
1024 KB 237.642 180.904 222.853 178.202
Standard Ave 130.612 108.368 100.790 64.277

attachment.php


Anyone has an idea on how to solve this problem besides returning the disk?

PS: I have only 1 CRC error showing after 65hrs of use
 
gkhaldi said:
Got this drive up and running for about a week now. Large files = no problems. Random writes / reads with 4K blocks (typical for os x) = catastrophy.

I've noticed a slowdown too, but nobody has told me yet how to correct it. I've started a thread on Apple's discussion forums here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2055390&tstart=0

I'm tempted to return the drive and get something that let's me update firmware and properly erase the drive.
Click to expand...
 
kryptticAZ said:
gkhaldi said:
Got this drive up and running for about a week now. Large files = no problems. Random writes / reads with 4K blocks (typical for os x) = catastrophy.

I've noticed a slowdown too, but nobody has told me yet how to correct it. I've started a thread on Apple's discussion forums here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2055390&tstart=0

I'm tempted to return the drive and get something that let's me update firmware and properly erase the drive.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at swapping mine for a Vertex, too. Should get most of my money back on eBay. Too bad Samsung doesn't issue an update or utility to handle this. I fill up my drive on a weekly basis.
Click to expand...
 
I contacted Dell for a replacement and requested the newer firmware. The replacement arrived today with a production date of June 12, 2009, but it still has the old firmware...

Did any of you purchase the Samsung 256GB directly from Dell and get the latest firmware (VBM1801Q)?
 
I'm trying to return my Corsair P256 back to factory condition. However, the only tool that I know of is Secure Erase 3.3/4.0. Unfortunately that doesnt work on my machine. Are people supposed to slowly watch their Samsung/Corsair 256GB disks come to a crawl, or is there another way to get them to original state? It seems all other SSD manufacturers have a firmware available to reflash. All I want to do is just reflash with the firmware I already have. I've asked Corsair tech support, however, their solution is to RMA a perfectly good SSD every time you want to return it to factory speed.

I'm guessing eventually the people that bought these disk will need to flash the firmware anyway to gain TRIM support for OS's that support it; but, really dont want to wait that long. I wish I had known that there's no way to return these disks to virgin state.

And... if there is a way to return these disks to virgin state without Secure Erase 4.0 or version 3.3, please let me know.

Thanks so much in advance...
 
I was browsing the Corsair SSD forums (http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=78579) the other day and the moderator admitted that there was currently no option for this, but that they are "actively working" with Samsung on a better option than an RMA. I did a lot of reading and a zero-fill is a bad idea--One of the users referred to it as a "landmine." Here's the full quote:
---------
When repeating our HD-Tach tests in Windows Vista we decided to perform a full format (rather than a quick format) on the drive to ensure “as new” performance. However, after formatting we found the P256’s awesome write speeds had slowed to a crawl and our FC-Test write tests now took over six times as long to complete. The drive’s write performance was now terrible.

After consultation with Corsair the problem remains unexplained and while entirely avoidable so long as you only ever quick format the drive, it's a potential landmine to those not aware of the issue. Once a full format has been completed the only way to restore the drive’s true performance is to use a low level erase program such as DOS based HDD Erase, a procedure that’s a fair bit more complicated than fitting a S-ATA hard disk drive and we’re concerned that some users will simply think their SSD is faulty and try and RMA it to Corsair.

Corsair had this to say regarding the format bug:

"Corsair is in the process of putting together FAQs and other items to show users how to recover performance on the drive if a full format is done in Vista. And we are continuing to work with Samsung to get a better understanding of what causes this anomaly. In the event that customers experience the problem, our tech support team will work with them to recover their performance, rather than asking the customer to return the non-defective drive."
----------
I have a Samsung drive, so I'm in the same boat--no firmware updates, wipe utility, and no TRIM support.




mkanet said:
I'm trying to return my Corsair P256 back to factory condition. However, the only tool that I know of is Secure Erase 3.3/4.0. Unfortunately that doesnt work on my machine. Are people supposed to slowly watch their Samsung/Corsair 256GB disks come to a crawl, or is there another way to get them to original state? It seems all other SSD manufacturers have a firmware available to reflash. All I want to do is just reflash with the firmware I already have. I've asked Corsair tech support, however, their solution is to RMA a perfectly good SSD every time you want to return it to factory speed.

I'm guessing eventually the people that bought these disk will need to flash the firmware anyway to gain TRIM support for OS's that support it; but, really dont want to wait that long. I wish I had known that there's no way to return these disks to virgin state.

And... if there is a way to return these disks to virgin state without Secure Erase 4.0 or version 3.3, please let me know.

Thanks so much in advance...
Click to expand...
 
I've already jumped ship... Return one Samsung 256GB back to Dell and use another that bought from eBay in a USB case.

My MBP now has 2x Intel X25-M 160GB in RAID0. Couldn't be happier...
 
mkanet said:
I'm trying to return my Corsair P256 back to factory condition. However, the only tool that I know of is Secure Erase 3.3/4.0. Unfortunately that doesnt work on my machine. Are people supposed to slowly watch their Samsung/Corsair 256GB disks come to a crawl, or is there another way to get them to original state? It seems all other SSD manufacturers have a firmware available to reflash. All I want to do is just reflash with the firmware I already have. I've asked Corsair tech support, however, their solution is to RMA a perfectly good SSD every time you want to return it to factory speed.

I'm guessing eventually the people that bought these disk will need to flash the firmware anyway to gain TRIM support for OS's that support it; but, really dont want to wait that long. I wish I had known that there's no way to return these disks to virgin state.

And... if there is a way to return these disks to virgin state without Secure Erase 4.0 or version 3.3, please let me know.

Thanks so much in advance...
Click to expand...

I am wondering about this too. Is there any new info on how to achieve this on a Mac?
 
e.m. said:
I am wondering about this too. Is there any new info on how to achieve this on a Mac?
Click to expand...

Did you guys get to the bottom of this issue? If not then may be call up Corsair and see what they have to say?

I am expecting the delivery of CMFSSD-256GBG2D today and am just puzzled if I made the wrong choice. Any inputs welcome!
 
Are these 256GB Samsung models the same as found in the new 2010 MacBook Pro options?
What model is the 256GB SSD option on the new Core i5 and i7 MacBook Pros?
Can someone confirm?
 
Yeah I'm looking for more info too. I have an Intel 160GB but I would love to put a 256GB in the optibay for a fast-speed data drive.
 
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