OCZ are set to release, not one but two firmware’s for their Indilinx based SSD.
While we don’t yet have the exact version number or finalised change log, we do know what we can expect from these two firmware’s.
One version will carry TRIM support for Windows 7 users, and other operating systems which support the TRIM command. TRIM cleans NAND at block level without any intervention from the user, so the SSD stays in pristine condition and performance is kept at maximum.
Version two of the firmware will have enhanced GC (Garbage collection), and again, the GC will take place without user intervention during drive idle time. Like TRIM, GC cleans the NAND at block level, thus ensuring the drive remains in pristine condition, and performs at its maximum.
The GC version of the firmware is aimed at users who are not running an operating system which supports TRIM, or for a pair or more SSD in a RAID configuration.
Other enhancements common to both firmware’s is, improved RAID performance, better hardware compatibility with motherboard chipsets and MAC hardware, and improved stability.
Having had some testing time with the beta versions of these firmware’s, TRIM is something you will certainly want if you’re running Windows 7. GC was also very successful at keeping the drive running at maximum performance.
The Vertex series drives, being the most popular will receive the firmware updates first, with other Indilinx based drives such as Agility, receiving the same firmware enhancements soon after.
The new firmware is not just and update to existing code, the new firmware’s have been built from the ground up.
We hope to test the new firmware’s very soon, so stay tuned.
