Frequently Asked Questions for Intel® Solid State Drives
Click or the topic for details:
Support
Which Intel® Solid State Drive (Intel® SSD) is right for me?
The options available are segmented by various usage models. They are categorized as consumer, corporate client, and data center.Are Intel® SSDs intended for use with laptops and desktops?
Yes. All Intel® Solid State Drives are tested and validated on the latest Intel®-based laptop and desktop platforms. For more information about product compatibility, see the product specifications.Do Intel® SSDs run Linux*?
Check with your hardware vendor to validate which platforms support the Linux* distribution. Once validated, Intel® Consumer SSD’s can run client-based Linux* operating systems.
Where can I find RMA or warranty information?
See Registration and Warranty/Return Material Authorization.
Are firmware updates available for Intel® SSDs?
Firmware updates are available.
- For Windows*: Download the Intel® Solid State Drive Toolbox.
- For all other operating systems: Download the Intel® SSD Firmware Update Tool.
Do Intel® SSDs need special driver support?
No. Standard hard disk drivers support Intel® SSDs as drop-in components, such as those bundled with Microsoft Windows*. For best performance, we recommend a driver that supports SATA Native Command Queuing (NCQ), such as Intel® Rapid Storage Technology.
Performance
Should I defrag my Intel® Solid State Drive with Windows* Disk Defragmenter or similar program?
No. Traditional hard disk drive defragmentation tools do not show increased SSD device performance.
- For legacy operating systems, disable any automatic or scheduled defragmentation utilities for your Intel® SSD. The tools add unnecessary wear.
- Newer Windows* operating systems can detect the presence of an SSD and disable the defrag function.
Where can I find more information on performance and benchmarks?
See our Intel SSD performance and benchmark documents.Does the Intel® SSD have a write cache?
Yes, but data caching is limited to the controller for enhanced performance.
SATA
Is the Intel® SSD a drop-in replacement for SATA hard disk drives?
Yes. The Intel® SSD, as a drop-in replacement, provides rugged and reliable performance at lower power.- Intel SATA SSDs support IDE mode, AHCI, and RAID.
- RAID might require BIOS configuration, pre-operating system driver, and driver updates.
Do Intel® SSDs support SATA II features?
Yes. The Intel SATA SSDs are 3.0 Gbps SATA devices. They support:
- Native Command Queuing (NCQ)
- Hot-plug with asynchronous signal recovery
- Software settings preservation
- Device initiated power management
Where can I find more information about Intel® Solid State Drives for Mainstream SATA?
See the resources below:
| Related topics |
| Intel Customer Support |
| Limited Warranties |
| Intel® Solid State Drive Tools |
| Intel® Solid State Drive Community |
| Warranty Checker |
