SSD Performance Tips for Underperforming SSDs

[Phil]

Lately we've been getting a lot of posts from people that have SSDs that are not performing like they should. Here's a list of tips to enhance that SSD performance. If anything should be changed or added let me know. These tips are the collected works of others.

-updated-

Necessary

1. Enable AHCI in BIOS.

2. Do a clean install, from the ground up. Remove all partitions before you start by choosing custom setup.
(If performance after applying all tweaks is still not as desired a secure erase might be necessary before doing a clean install).
(One may choose to set clustersize to 4K, as this can enhance performance slightly)

3. Check partition alignment (not necessary if you did a clean install with Windows 7).

4. If you have an Intel chipset, install the latest Intel Rapid Storage driver (Download Intel® RST Driver Files for F6 Install from Intel.com. Go to Device Manager, select under "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" the "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller". Then right click, update driver software. Browse, browse. Now browse to where you saved the Intel Rapid Storage driver. Select the folder and click OK. Reboot required.)

5. Enable write caching (Device manager → Disk → Double-click on you disk → Strategy tab → check BOTH)

6. Check that TRIM is enabled (Fsutil command)

7. Disable scheduled defragmentation (control panel → type: defrag in search → turn off)

8. Set Windows Power Profile to High Performance.

Optional *

9. Disable pagefile (control panel → type: pagefile in search box and follow instructions)

10. Disable hibernation (press start and paste " powercfg /hibernate off " in the search box, press enter)

11. Disable indexing service.

12. Disable prefetch.

13. Disable superfetch.

14. Disable System Restore.

15. 4K Cluster size

(* Some people do not believe these tweaks are necessary or a good idea)

[tilleroftheearth]

Phil,

This new thread is a great idea!

My suggestions?

#2 should be #1 and #12 should be #3.


Although I disagree with disabling indexing, prefetch, superfetch and the pagefile, I hope we can collect all available tweaks in one place!

Also, you should list the actual commands for the actions you suggest. For example; how do I check that TRIM is enabled using the Fsutil command (I know we can search, but if everything is in one place, the better for everyone, right?

Thanks for considering my suggestions.

[Phil]

I agree with your suggestions. I've updated the list. I know some of the tweaks are debatable, I've now added * to the tweaks that are debatable.

[stamatisx]

Excellent idea Phil to compile this list +1 from me as well.

I personally apply all of those you have on your OP plus I disable the Readyboot (both as service and as a startup event trace session):

Open Computer Management -> performance -> Data Collector Sets -> Startup Event Trace Sessions

Double click on Readyboot and under the trace session tab uncheck to disable like the screenshot below


After that I would do a reboot and then go to C:\Windows\Prefetch and delete all its contents

Also, (optional) someone should consider to change the cluster size of the NTFS. I change it from the default 4K to 64K (to me it gave better performance and lower access times, especially helpful for people doing video editing or transfer big files)

Keep in mind that power profiles may change the performance of the SSD as well so I would suggest to have it plugged in to AC and set it to high performance.

[Phil]

OK I will add those to the list, what are the exact benefits of disabling Readyboot?

[stamatisx]

Readyboot will benefit HDDs since it traces all the data that are accessed the most during boot time and then they are copied under the C:\Windows\Prefetch folder. On HDDs the access speed is not consistent and that helps a lot. But in SSDs it simply occupies space and runs an extra service in the background, not a real benefit.

[tilleroftheearth]

stamatisx,

have you done a before and after comparision with readyboot on/off?

I'm leery of disabling any Win7 services - they're pretty unobtrusive as is.

[stamatisx]

@tilleroftheearth
Yes I have, including this one (readyboot), all those tips mentioned on the OP will give you better performance
When you disable prefetch and superfetch there is no reason to keep readyboot on.

Phil, the 4K is the default cluster size, for better performance I advise 64K

[tilleroftheearth]

lol...

stamatisx,

what kind of performance boost did you see by disabling those services (including readyboot)?

Also, thanks for pointing out the 64K cluster size trick - I have been using it for my Raptors, but didn't think it would improve things in the SSD world.

[stamatisx]

All the benchmarks were improved (4K random reads/writes included) smaller boot times and less CPU utilization
Don't expect miracles though, it's a small improvement but still an improvement