AHCI question

[ShadowVVL]

was thinking about getting a ssd but my motherboard doesn't have AHCI listed in the bios. Im wondering if i can get it with a sata 2 card or is it only in the bios?

 

[lsv]

If the add on card supports AHCI you should only have to enable it in the card's setup/bios. In most cases I think it's on by default.

This one for instance suggests you check the OS supports AHCI, possibly because it only works in AHCI mode.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16816115073

 

[birthdaymonkey]

was thinking about getting a ssd but my motherboard doesn't have AHCI listed in the bios. Im wondering if i can get it with a sata 2 card or is it only in the bios?

How old is your motherboard? What model is it? It may have AHCI, but it's not listed as such in the BIOS. Anyway, most SSDs will work fine in IDE mode without the benefit of NCQ (not a big deal for everyday workloads).

 

[postmark]

How old is your motherboard? What model is it? It may have AHCI, but it's not listed as such in the BIOS. Anyway, most SSDs will work fine in IDE mode without the benefit of NCQ (not a big deal for everyday workloads).

Pretty sure you also lose TRIM, which could be a big deal after a while.

Actually, turns out TRIM does work in IDE mode, as long as the controller supports it. So never mind 🙂

 

[ShadowVVL]

3 years old I think The motherboard is a xfx 750i 775 socket.

Im also running on vista so it should support ahci.

ill go ahead and get a card and try it out, Thank you!

 

[curlysir]

How old is your motherboard? What model is it? It may have AHCI, but it's not listed as such in the BIOS. Anyway, most SSDs will work fine in IDE mode without the benefit of NCQ (not a big deal for everyday workloads).

On Some SSDs you cannot update the Firmware unless you are in AHCI mode. Something to check out. And you may not get the full rated speed in IDE mode.

 

[Old Hippie]

On Some SSDs you cannot update the Firmware unless you are in AHCI mode.

No, it's exactly the opposite.

Many need to be in IDE mode to update the firmware.

Please check you facts before you post.

OP, TRIM works in IDE and AHCI modes but all SSDs work much better in AHCI mode.

The motherboard is a xfx 750i 775 socket.

AFAIK, your MB has a nVIDIA chipset and doesn't offer AHCI.

A decent SATA2 expansion card would probably allow AHCI but you may have a problem booting from it.

If you don't have an SSD I wouldn't bother with it.

 

[curlysir]

No, it's exactly the opposite.

Many need to be in IDE mode to update the firmware.

Please check you facts before you post.

OP, TRIM works in IDE and AHCI modes but all SSDs work much better in AHCI mode.


AFAIK, your MB has a nVIDIA chipset and doesn't offer AHCI.

A decent SATA2 expansion card would probably allow AHCI but you may have a problem booting from it.

If you don't have an SSD I wouldn't bother with it.

I did check the facts before I posted. I did not say all SSD's have to be in AHCI, I said that SOME do, that is not all. There are several SSD's that need to be in AHCI to update.

Below are examples:

Corsair: Corsair states that the drive must be in AHCI to update firmware on the Corsair Forces Series see this link http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90759

OCZ: An in post #21 in this post on the OCZ forum Tony is telling the use to switch to AHCI and try again http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/f...is-FW-if-you-have-issues-with-other-FW./page2

Mushkin: http://mushkingames.com/phpbb2/view...sid=4c1c106f703b9221eb8a7e8f04680e58&start=45

Quote from MuskinSean "The update is failing because you are in IDE, unfortunately changing to AHCI mode in XP is difficult.
The easiest way to do the update would be to install the SSD as a spare in a Windows 7 machine, Vista would also work."

Some require IDE and some require AHCI, check the manufactures website and read the firmware update procedure.

 

[Old Hippie]

I did check the facts before I posted. I did not say all SSD's have to be in AHCI, I said that SOME do, that is not all. There are several SSD's that need to be in AHCI to update.

Below are examples:

Corsair: Corsair states that the drive must be in AHCI to update firmware on the Corsair Forces Series see this link http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90759

OCZ: An in post #21 in this post on the OCZ forum Tony is telling the use to switch to AHCI and try again http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/f...is-FW-if-you-have-issues-with-other-FW./page2

Mushkin: http://mushkingames.com/phpbb2/view...sid=4c1c106f703b9221eb8a7e8f04680e58&start=45

Quote from MuskinSean "The update is failing because you are in IDE, unfortunately changing to AHCI mode in XP is difficult.
The easiest way to do the update would be to install the SSD as a spare in a Windows 7 machine, Vista would also work."

Some require IDE and some require AHCI, check the manufactures website and read the firmware update procedure.

I definately stand corrected! 😳

BUT if you look at Muskin's update instructions from the download here it states.....

4. Reboot the PC, enter the BIOS, and set the SATA controller for IDE mode.

Different models in their line require different procedures?

I didn't bother to look at the others but you are correct. :thumbsup:

 

[ShadowVVL]

I am hoping to do 2 hdds in raid with ssd caching but not sure if are there is a cards to do that.