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    How to get SATA 6 gbps on a W520?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by mdkmdk, May 17, 2012.

  1. mdkmdk

    mdkmdk Newbie

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    I just purchased a W520 and upgraded to 8gb high speed ram and an Intel SSD 520 180gb which is rated for the (very) fast SATA 3.0 rev standard. I've read multiple places that I should be able to get SATA 3.0 speeds on my W520 but I have only been able to see these speeds in one test (I know, wierd, but it supports the claim that SATA 3.0 is possible).

    I have Windows and Ubuntu dual booted on the drive in the main drive bay. Sequential read tests in both operatings systems show in the 200-250 mb/s range (much slower than it should be). The Intel fast storage program in Windows also shows that SATA 2.0 is being utilized. The AHCI setting is enabled in my bios.

    Oh, also, my Windows installation was made with the recover disks I made from the original install on the spinner HDD that came with the laptop if that helps.

    I have a separate Windows 7 Pro install dvd. Should I try to use that instead and just do a fresh install maybe?

    I cannot for the life of me figure out what I should do? Can anyone help me?!

    Cheers,
    Michael.





    Btw, the W520 has the following specs:

    Processor Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40GHz, 6M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz)
    Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
    Display type 15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlight AntiGlare display, with Wireless WAN Antenna
    System graphics NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Optimus Graphics technology (2GB)
    Total memory 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
    Hard drive 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
    Bluetooth Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna
    Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
     
    mdkmdk, May 17, 2012
    #1
  2. power7

    power7 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm running 240GB version of Intel 520 as a system drive in the main bay, works with SATA3 speeds no problem (~480/300 MB/sec sequential read/write in CrystalDiskMark). W520 is running the latest BIOS version.

    So it's software or BIOS configuration settings issue somewhere.
     
    power7, May 17, 2012
    #2
  3. mdkmdk

    mdkmdk Newbie

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    So I just reinstalled Win 7 cleanly from my own disks (not recover disks). I installed nothing but Crystal Disk and AS SSD and I get sequential write speeds of 400... Not as expected but definitely signifying SATA3.0 working..... However, Ubuntu still gets about 240 on sequential read....

    I am stumped, any ideas out there? Would maybe reinstalling Ubuntu help? I don't know enough about operating systems to understand how (or if) dual boot systems affect one another....

    MK
     
    mdkmdk, May 17, 2012
    #3
  4. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Recommend you try Disk Benchmark | ATTO and probably HD Tune before you make up your mind.

    Crystal seems to provide the worst results.
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 17, 2012
    #4