First SSD purchased -- Questions

Hey guys! So I went ahead and got myself a 240GB SSD, my very first! I have a M17x R4 and will be using this along with the internal 750GB HDD I already have in one bay. Here are my concerns/questions that need answering:

1. <s>Any way of knowing which is the primary drive bay? Any reason to have the SSD in the same?</s>
2. <s>Should I reinstall Windows in RAID or AHCI mode?</s>
3. <s>Will TRIM work in RAID?</s>

Thank you all for answering my questions!

This is ofcourse with context to me using UEFI and Windows Secure/Fast Boot.
Thank you for your time!



Prasad.

 

think you can set primary in bios. primary should be the one that is SATA 3, you can check that in hwinfo

 

Since Pirx had similar questions about TRIM: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol.../703106-how-check-if-trim-enabled-active.html. Both HDD bays in the m17x are SATA 6Gbps so it doesn't really matter which you put the drive in. You want Windows in either RAID or AHCI, not in IDE mode. If you're on either, leave it like that and don't worry about it. Anyways, WEI will give you something ~7.3 for the SSD if you're in IDE so you'll know right away.

afaik, TRIM now works with a RAID array on Ivy Bridge.

 

Well, I know that. It's not what I meant. Anyway, the Intel SRT application helped me identify the HDD I have is currently in Port 0, that being the primary bay where I'll place the SSD. So question 1 has been answered..

Thanks mate! With a single SSD and a single HDD in the internal drive bays, where neither can I setup a RAID configuration nor lose TRIM on RAID, is/should there be any preference towards me using either AHCI or RAID? I really don't want to toss a coin on this... This is supposed to be a fresh start for my system.

 

Congratulations, Brother Prasad. Now that you have SSD you will not be happy with HDD any more. The speed difference in phenomenal, and you can really "feel" the improvement, even on a system with only SATA-2 3.0GB/s it is much faster.

Install Windows with the BIOS set to RAID, not AHCI. That is the default setting and the best one to use under all circumstances. TRIM will still work with only one SSD regardless of whether you have the newer OROM or not. That is only a concern with an actual RAID membership with multiple drives in an array using an older OROM. I believe RST OROM and drivers 11.2.X.XXXX and newer provides TRIM support with SSDs in a RAID membership.

Here is a thread with more information in the opening post and lots of interesting discussion relating to the subject:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...llation-questions-troubleshooting-thread.html

 

Thanks a ton, Fox! That just about settles all my concerns and I'll be refreshing my system shortly.

 

afaik, if you're on RAID mode without a RAID array config, you will default to the AHCI driver. Maybe another NBR member can confirm this.

 

Yup, I just read that elsewhere. Thank you

 

I merged your two threads since they both contained replies by the way. Anyways, as you requested, the duplicate is gone.

 

I wasn't built to say 'thank you' this many times but thanks!

 

There are several good reasons select RAID in the BIOS instead of AHCI. The outcome differs when you do.

Intel RST includes AHCI drivers, works either way, and installs both RAID and AHCI drivers by default if the BIOS is set to RAID. The Intel RST RAID and AHCI drivers are superior to the native Windows drivers, and it just makes life easier in general if and when you decide to change something after installing Windows. If you add another matching drive (HDD or SSD) later on and want to create a RAID0 array, you can do that without an OS reinstall or having to screw around with the registry, fight BSOD, etc. In fact, you can create the RAID membership within Windows using RST. Also, if you have or later acquire an mSATA SSD and want to use RST to create a drive cache setup, the BIOS needs to be set on RAID. It will not work if the BIOS is set to AHCI when Windows is installed. Installing Windows with the BIOS set to AHCI creates limits flexibility and imposes limitations that are not present with it set to RAID.

 

I see. RAID is what I went with, as per your suggestion. I'm currently really enjoying the new SSD!