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    AHCI, RAID or ATA?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by deathpenalty2, Mar 1, 2015.

  1. deathpenalty2

    deathpenalty2 Newbie

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    I am upgrading my Alienware m14x R2 from an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD that failed on me to a shiny new Samsung 850 Pro (laptop will only have a single drive). However, in the bios I wish to clarify what I should set the 'Sata Operation' setting as for optimal performance?

    I have been told to set it to RAID as it will function as a form of AHCI but on Samsung's website it states that using AHCI will ensure that the power consumption functionality and other items are avaliable.

    The current setting seems to be RAID but there is also the option for AHCI and ATA. Again not sure what to set it as prior to the re-install and/or what the upside/downside is for a particular option (e.g. use of Intel technologies and TRIM?)?

    I just wish to have it running as fast as possible and everything work as it should.
     
    deathpenalty2, Mar 1, 2015
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Use the RAID setting, with a single drive it is effectively AHCI.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Mar 1, 2015
    #2
  3. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

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    RAID or AHCI will work. If your running windows 8 then I think you can actually switch it without having to reinstall(correct me if I'm wrong).
     
    Syndrome, Mar 1, 2015
    #3
  4. baii

    baii Sone

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    with raid, it will take a few more sec to boot up because of the raid screen.

    Windows 7 would need a reg edit to switch, windows 8 can be done with a powershell command(before switch).
     
    baii, Mar 1, 2015
    #4
  5. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

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    If you're intent on staying with one drive only, I'd choose AHCI and call it a day.

    My $0.02 only.
     
    ajkula66, Mar 1, 2015
    #5
    Jarhead likes this.
  6. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Agreed.. The RAID screen increases your startup time and if your not RAIDing, pointless to stay on this settings...
     
    TomJGX, Mar 2, 2015
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  7. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    RAID is a waste of your resources...AHCI would better server your purpose...if you were doing a Server then a RAID would be a secure way to protect data from data loss should one of the drives go out. If your a single user you shouldn't do this. Make a primary HDD/SSD and then add a second ext HDD/SSD to offload your data/files you create that way you know for sure you have a backup to protect the data you created on the main drive and if that drive fails you just reinstall the software and copy the backup data back to the main drive again. That is the smart way to go for single user this works for laptop if you don't have a 2nd drive bay but in Desktop that is easier to do.
     
    StormJumper, Mar 2, 2015
    #7