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Intel Releases SSD Toolbox 3.0 Software

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Intel has released an updated version to the Intel SSD Toolbox (Version 3.0) for use by Intel SSD users.

The new Intel SSD Toolbox offers a new visual interface, with pie-charts and all. With the new interface, you see your drives as tabs across the top, with the Intel drives listed first. You are able to see vital information for your Intel SSD, including: Model Number, Capacity, Firmware version, Drive Health, and Estimated Drive Life Remaining (useful for those worried about drive life). The toolbox provides SMART attributes and IDENTIFY DEVICE information for Intel SSDs and non-Intel SSDs.

Going down the tabs on the side of the toolbox, you see tools for:

  1. Optimizing the performance of an Intel SSD using Trim functionality
  2. Updating the firmware on a supported Intel SSD (see below for more details)
  3. Running either a quick or full diagnostic scans to test the read and write functionality of an Intel SSD
  4. Checking and tuning your system settings for optimal Intel SSD performance, power efficiency, and endurance
  5. Viewing your system information and hardware configuration, such as central processing unit (CPU), chipset, controller name, and driver versions
  6. Running Secure Erase on a secondary Intel SSD
Intel SSD Toolbox 3.0

Intel SSD Toolbox 2.0

The Intel SSD Toolbox supports firmware updates on the following Intel SSDs: 

Intel® Solid-State DriveLatest Firmware Version
Intel® Solid-State Drive 710 Series6PB10362
Intel® Solid-State Drive 320 Series4PC10362
Intel® Solid-State Drive 311 Series2CV102M5
Intel® Solid-State Drive 310 Series2CV102M3
Intel® X18-M / X25-M SATA SSDs (34nm)2CV102M3
Intel® X25-V SATA SSD2CV102M3

The Intel SSD Toolbox does not support firmware updates on the following Intel SSDs. To update the firmware on these SSDs, use the Intel® SATA Solid-State Drive Firmware Update Tool.

Intel® Solid-State DriveLatest Firmware Version
Intel® Solid-State Drive 510 SeriesPPG2 or PPG4  (120GB SSD)
PWG2 or PWG4 (250GB SSD)
Intel® X18-M/X25-M SATA SSDs (50nm)045C8820
Intel® X25-E SATA SSD (50nm)045C8850

The SSD Toolbox 3.0 can be downloaded for free at Intel's website.

14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • joe nate 01 November 2011 10:38
    Very nice. After updating my firmware I installed Intel SSD Toolbox 3.0. Still says my drive is at 100% estimated life remaining. I rarely ever think to check for updates, so thanks to tom's hardware, I did!
    Reply
  • alyoshka 01 November 2011 11:26
    Yeah, I updated mine 2 days ago...... works like a wonder and looks better, even feels better. The Firmware Update tabs cool.Nice...
    Overall a very nice updated tool.
    Reply
  • Lutfij 01 November 2011 11:39
    hmmm - after reading this i'm definitely going to wait out for lower priced SSD's that have a good life expectancy.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty 01 November 2011 11:53
    Nice. Glad to see this.
    Reply
  • mrkdilkington 01 November 2011 11:56
    This is why I only buy Intel SSD's. Secure Erase is so easy with the toolbox; on other brands it's a lengthier process involving Linux distributions or HDDErase that never seems to work with your chipset.
    Reply
  • joe nate 01 November 2011 12:25
    Lutfijhmmm - after reading this i'm definitely going to wait out for lower priced SSD's that have a good life expectancy.
    I have had my Intel SSDs for 2 years now. I do everything you're supposed to (disable superfetch, don't defrag, etc) and the tool reports still 100% Estimated life remaining (and 100% drive health). I turn on and use my computer for 3-5 hours and turn off my computer daily.

    Just fyi. Just because the tool has the ability to measure it, doesn't mean the expected life is low. In fact Intel was the first brand to make an SSD that did everything right when it comes to SSDs. From power consumption, to read/write speeds, to life expectancy to supporting TRIM. They did it right from the start. Other brands had to deal with the faulty/buggy jmicron controller that ruined products that could have otherwise succeeded.
    Reply
  • nikorr 01 November 2011 14:56
    Intel does a good job for their SSD's.
    Reply
  • spazoid 01 November 2011 15:05
    Lutfijhmmm - after reading this i'm definitely going to wait out for lower priced SSD's that have a good life expectancy.
    What? You make no sense whatsoever. After reading about an updated piece of software for monitoring and performing maintenance on an SSD, you're going to wait for cheaper SSD's? How are those two related?
    Reply
  • 01 November 2011 17:01
    mrkdilkington: If the others are a lengthier process, that would tend to indicate that Intel isn't really erasing anything, at least not securely. There are 1,000,000+ tools out there that do a truly hardcore erasing, and most of them take time.

    nikorr: Yeah, they do a fine job when they're not bricking their expensive SSDs, or showing 8MB of capacity on a reboot.
    Reply
  • drwho1 01 November 2011 20:34
    I just wait until the SSD manufactures "release" Lower Prices.
    Reply