Category: Hardware

Make Your Own TRIM for SSDs in RAID Mode

A driver that finally enables TRIM support for Intel SDDs in RAID mode?

Sadly, the news were too good to be true. The latest Intel driver was incorrectly reported (techPowerUp!) to enable TRIM for SSDs in all RAID modes except for RAID5. However, this was bogus information from Intel. The correction came shortly thereafter, that support is ONLY for single disks and not while in RAID arrays.

Intel X25-V SSD - Still not getting its daily TRIM

Intel X25-V SSD - no TRIM for you!

The truth is that the new driver allows single disks that are connected while running the storage controller in RAID mode to receive the TRIM command.

It seems passing the TRIM command to SSDs in a RAID array is not a simple case with current chipsets and drivers.

The recommended workaround:
Yes, there’s actually a workaround! Just leave some 15-20% free, unformatted, unallocated space when formatting your RAID array of SSDs, seen as a single disk during OS install. The SSD controller will use this as “scratch space”. Also, do note that the much talked about performance loss over time that occurs with SSDs – is much less of an issue when in a RAID.

But what if I already formatted and used my drives?
No worries! You can still perform a Secure Erase (ata.wiki.kernel.org) to bring them back to basics. The same procedure can also be performed every 1-2 years if you experience noticeable loss of performance. But by then, maybe they will have conjured up some magical new drivers? Only time will tell …

Oh, almost forgot; for those “I run my single disk SSDs while in RAID mode” kind of guys:

Click here to get the latest Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver for Intel Desktop Boards.
Select your OS, then “Driver”.

The Roccat Arvo Compact Gaming Keyboard

This keyboard really caught my eye because of it’s sci-fi-esque design features. A compact “laptop” gaming keyboard, the Arvo has had its arrow keys removed to make it more compact. The numerical keypad area has been adapted for gaming use in lieu of the arrow keys, by switching into “gaming mode”. With an added five function keys, three of them being the “thumbster” keys in the middle front, these are all intelligently placed to be easily put to good use in most games.

PC Games Hardware gave the keyboard a promising review as far as stability and slip resistance goes, attributing this to a built-in metal plate that Roccat added for sturdyness. After a short hands-on test they also concluded that “the keystroke and pressure point of the Arvo were quite good and left a positive mark”.

Hoping to see a Nordic or Norwegian edition of this keyboard soon!

What is extremely small, but has very long range?

To be released in Japan this month, this new USB Bluetooth stick from Princeton combines an impressive range of ~100 meters with miniature size, barely sticking out of the USB port when plugged in.

While we have seen small USB Bluetooth adaptors before, this combination of features was unheard of until now, with the norm being a maximum range of about 8 to 10 meters, or around 30 feet if you don’t speak metric.

Princeton USB BlueTooth stick

No More RAID-ache? Introducing Drobo

Drobo is an impressive piece of hardware, automagically managing backup of your important files in an optimal way, across any different size disk combinations. You have to see if for yourself:

I would definitely buy a Drobo if they launch it over here in Norway.

Click here for the original post on PodTech.