SP3 SSD, possible firmware bug, same as just fixed in another Samsung drive.

Anonymous
2014-10-20T22:49:51+00:00

I've just had to update the firmware in another device that had a Samsung 840EVO SSD because they had a serious firmware bug with it.  Out of curiosity I tested the Samsung drive in my Surface Pro 3 and it looks like it has exactly the same issue (the SP3 drive is closely related to the 840 series I believe, but an OEM version.

The test is simple, just look at the read rate across the drive.  Older data (OS, installed apps) suffered from terrible read performance after a month or so.  Newly written data is fine.

As you can see, much of the drive is down to 50MB/s now.  It should be a fairly level line right the way across at about 350+MB/s.  This test was run with AC power connected and nothing else running.

If this is the same issue as the 840EVO, the good news is it can be corrected with a firmware update and refresh of the data.  Bad news would of course be Microsoft need to look into it first, then get the Samsung engineers looking into it.

Perhaps some other people could run the test too, and post results.  Remember the drive needs to be a month or more old, so that the data can have been sitting there only being read during that time.

Further details of the bug and the fix that Samsung released can be found here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8617/samsung-releases-firmware-update-to-fix-the-ssd-840-evo-read-performance-bug

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-09-30T22:01:46+00:00

Hello all

We wanted to let you know that an update to resolve this is still being worked on.  Please continue to post your experiences and technical details.

Mod Edit: Samsung SSD Optimization Utility for Surface Pro 3 now available.

Best regards

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

151 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-08T14:17:50+00:00

    Hi,

    i´ve bought my surface pro 3, 2 weeks ago. This is my result after running HD Tune whitout any changes made to the system:

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-07T02:36:57+00:00

    Hi DavidN,

     I have heard that TLCs will only last for 3~5 years while MLC (Hynix) will last for 8~10 years, which is a huge difference.

    Again, I'm not worried myself.  Sure you should have backups as any electronic device can fail, or be lost etc. and a small proportion will always have that happen.  90% of the 1% of people who have that happen will then write online that the product is awful but 0% of the 99% who had no problems will keep silent :-)

     Anandtech has a good article specifically concerning TLC flash and the similar consumer drive 840 Pro.

    http://www.anandtech.com/show/6459/samsung-ssd-840-testing-the-endurance-of-tlc-nand

    Of course it depends what you use it for, but I doubt I'm writing anywhere near 10GB per day on avaerge so I expect my SSD to last as long as my SP3 is still worth using.

    Also, when people say the drive will 'wear out', what it means is that some of the flash cells will no longer accept new data.  The drives firmware will deal with this for a while because it has spare cells and should alert the system via SMART reporting.  The data that is already there won't suddenly vanish.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-07T01:02:20+00:00

    Hi DavidN,

    Thank you for your reassuring words. However, I do have one more question regarding the Samsung SSD TLC. Under normal use, I have heard that TLCs will only last for 3~5 years while MLC (Hynix) will last for 8~10 years, which is a huge difference. If this is true, I will have to start backing up my SSD fairly frequently once I hit the three year mark. This just seems egregious when I paid the same amount of money for my Surface. Is this just a rumor or something that I should actually be concerned about?

    Thank you in advance for your insightful reponse :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-06T14:05:13+00:00

    Dear Zach the Forum Moderator,

    I have minor glitches on my display, which is a real issue but I was going to overlook as I have enjoyed the overall Surface experience. However, this issue of Samsung SSD has given me a great deal of stress. I have tried contacting Microsoft Korea to no avail and there has been no official statement of any kind regarding this potentially disastrous matter. Thus, I am seriously considering selling this device or returning it, just for the chance of getting a Surface with Hynix SSD on it. Please, do keep us updated and tell me that I do not have to go through the process of trading my device in again and again until I get the Hynix version.

    Thank you.

    Hi Stephen,

    Just chill out!  No need to be stressed!!

    Personally, I would run the desk refresh tool just once, but I'm not telling you, it's for you to decide.

    I ran it on my system, as I originally posted in this thread.  And since then I have been checking the drive performance.  So far it has stayed good.  In actual use I never noticed a problem (though it did seem faster booting and loading visual studio after the refresh, so I was happy to get a speed boost).

    It would seem crazy to go exchanging the device when you are liking it and not having a real problem in normal use.  I certainly haven't wanted to do that with mine.  I'm extremely happy with it in all ways.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments