Format a SSD For Performance

[malebolgia]

I need to format my current SSD, but before I do I got to wondering what's the best way to do so on a SSD? Some people have recommend that you use a tool called HDDErase:

"The way to bring the drive back to native speeds is to perform an erase using the on-board commands for secure-erase"
Source: Click Here

What do you guys say?

[Neutronbeam]

IMHO that utility does nothing but wipe a drive according to government data security requirements; it does nothing special or specific to SSDs that couldn't be accomplished by having your OS format the disk. To me using that software seems unnecessary.

[emorgoch]

Neutronbeam, I'd suggest you read Anandtech's series of articles on SSD's, in particular, their SSD Anthology. There's a ton of great information about the mechanics of how SSD's work, what causes performance degradation, and how it can be corrected.

As for restoring performance malebogia, HDDErase seems to be the tool of choice. Anand has a specific section in their anthology article describing the tool.

[Neutronbeam]

I stand corrected! [hangs head in shame] Thanks for pointing that out emorgoch!

[malebolgia]

Thanks for the extra information, guess that solves this question.

Thanks all.

[malebolgia]

Interesting followup.. according to another website the latest version of HDD Erase (4.0), doesn't work with Intel X25-M SSD's. The author recommends using the older HDD Erase 3.3 version:
Source

[MacRS4]

I have found there's issues with 4.0 & the Intels. It doesn't bork them of anything, it just doesn't do the erase.

That's my article at the top - if you want I can upload a version that has v4 of the HDDErase utility built in?