Crucial releases new 20% faster SSD firmware

Crucial has updated its firmware for its M4 solid state drives bringing them from version 0002 to 0009. The firmware update fixes bugs but also brings about performance increases. Crucial are claiming up to 20% faster sequential read speeds can be had from the new firmware. The version is “all-inclusive” so you can updated from any version (0001 or 0002) safely.

The current generation of solid state drives have much more speed still to give but it is down to firmware and controllers in order to exploit the maximum potential; which is how a small firmware update such as can bring such a big difference to performance. Crucial’s official release notes are as follows:

Change Log:

• Changes made in version 0002 (m4 can be updated to revision 0009 directly from either revision 0001 or 0002)
• Improved throughput performance.
• Increase in PCMark Vantage benchmark score, resulting in improved user experience in most operating systems.
• Improved write latency for better performance under heavy write workloads.
• Faster boot up times.
• Improved compatibility with latest chipsets.
• Compensation for SATA speed negotiation issues between some SATA-II chipsets and the SATA-III device.
• Improvement for intermittent failures in cold boot up related to some specific host systems.”

If you have a Crucial M4 SSD make sure you download the firmware update from Crucial and follow the installation instructions.

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