m1330 intel storage manager

I recently had my notebook replaced due to overheating issues with the gpu. I now have a 5400 rpm 160GB hd (ST9160821AS) in my XPS m1330. Windows Vista experience index gives the drive a lower score than my old hd (from 4.8 to 4.7). I'm worried that the performance is indeed lower. Is this true or is WEI just not right.

Also: I installed Vista 64 but did not install the intel Storage manager utility. I read somewhere (I think it was this forum) that this utility takes care of stuff like the write cache for the disk, which significantly improves performance. Is it required or not?
When I go to the properties of my disk drive in the device manager, and try to turn on the write cache, press ok and then check again, the checkbox is turned off. I know this is due to the intel motherboard stuff which takes care of these functions. But is it really enabled or not??

thanks, really appreciate the answers

 

The WEI is a load of c**p, it very often labels one component faster than something that it is much slower than, so I wouldn't worry.

 

I wouldnt worry about WEI too much at all. Its just a system they've produced which is a poor benchmark.

 

Time to hijack my own thread for the first time:
Is the ThermalTake iXoft colling pad something useful and worth the cost?
Will it help keep my m1330 cool or not? I read very differing reviews and have no idea anymore... Any help is appreciated.

Never mind this

 

If you want a higher performance, why don't you use a 7200rpm HDD?

 

I'm wondering about the Storage Manager too. Anyone know anything about this? I've got Vista 32bit.

 

Installing the Intel Matrix Storage Drivers will definitely improve the Vista performance score and has been claimed to improve performance.

"Intel Matrix Storage Technology provides benefits to users of a single drive as well. Storage performance is improved through Native Command Queuing (NCQ), harnessing the quad DMA controllers in the hardware, and optimized hardware & software tuning. For mobile systems, longer battery life is enabled through Link Power Management (LPM) which can reduce the power consumption of the chipset and SATA* hard drive. To warn of possible hard drive failures, SMART alerting is provided, notifying users when the drive detects potential oncoming failure. For those who wish to later upgrade to RAID capabilities, a system with Intel Matrix Storage Technology pre-installed allows a simplified upgrade to any supported RAID level from a single drive without having to reinstall the operating system or incur any downtime."

cheers

 

hmm. possible to install these post-install of everything else?

i'm worried they started causing random clanking noises though. :S

 

Yeah, indeed possible to install drivers after OS installed...there are various methods and OS may have to be re-activated...google it.

Edit: Forgot to mention my Vista HDD performance score went from a 4.8 to a 5.5 after using the drivers.

 

Did it cause your HDD to make any random noises such as parking noises every so often, etc?

Was the performance any better?

You can't de-install the drivers after install, so I don't want to put them in unless it really makes a difference and the drive isn't affected.

 

I heard that the drivers could also be uninstalled after.

Performance seems to be a little better with large file transfers, but it could be my imagination.

My drive is a Samsung and it was making noises even before the drivers, oddly enough the noise seems less frequent with the drivers installed. The issue regarding certain Samsung hdd making beeping noises can be found on various threads in this forum.

 

Hm, tech rep told me not to uninstall the drivers from device manager or i would cause HD damage.

i have a samsung too, 200 GB. it does random clunks... i read somewhere that it's nothing to worry about (though forum search really doesn't work for me so if there's anything else you know i don't, please do tell me! )

 

Apparently there is a well known issue with the Samsung drives emitting a beeping noise every so often. Most believe that it is a not an error but rather are just normal operation sounds. My HDD makes noises but nothing has broken yet. I have noticed a difference in the frequency when tinkering with the bios settings as well. Techs know nothing, google will offer a better education. Wouldn't recommend it unless you are somewhat tech savy. If you do decide to mess with the driver and something goes wrong your pc will not boot so be careful.

g'luck

 

AHCI Driver affords about a 15% performance jump in the HD. I have tested this and seen the results myself.

The difference in system performance in ATA mode vice AHCI is very visible.

 

You mean if I don't install the intel storage manager driver, I'm running in ATA not SATA mode? :S

Also, I don't have beeps (knock on wood!) just clunks and crunches and parking noises. From what I hear this is normal too though.