Does ASMedia controller on Asus Z97-Pro/Deluxe support RAID?

[sakete]

Any of you guys know that? It doesn't say specifically whether it does or doesn't support RAID on the Asus website or in the manual.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Any of you guys know that? It doesn't say specifically whether it does or doesn't support RAID on the Asus website or in the manual.

Maybe someone overlooked that detail for the documentation.

The auxiliary SATA controller on my own ASUS boards is a Marvell controller. It is specifically described as configurable only in AHCI mode.

Even if the feature controller did support RAID, it would only do so exclusive of the main Intel controller. If I were planning to use that feature controller at all, I'd use it to connect my case's front-panel eSATA port or ports. And I'd only be desperate enough to do that if I'd used all the main Intel ports -- most likely for some RAID array. Since I value simplicity, I've abjured RAID configurations in my systems and the use of features like the auxiliary SATA controller that I don't need to use.

But the matter of the Asmedia SATA would be easy to determine: maybe cable some spare drives if you need to, and enter the controller's own BIOS -- if you can. If you can't, then it obviously can't be set up in RAID mode.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

I've not had good experience with AsMedia, never tried to Raid with it. Specs posted below

Intel® Z97 chipset :
1 x SATA Express port, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3, , with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)*2
4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology *3
ASMedia® SATA Express controller : *4
1 x SATA Express port,
ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *4
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), black

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've not had good experience with AsMedia, never tried to Raid with it. Specs posted below

I could also say I've not had great experience with the onboard-feature Marvell SATA controller.

I recall several generations back when ASUS was bundling a Marvell controller on a socket-478 Northwood board. It was a notch up from the Springdale, but I forget the name they gave it. I THOUGHT that it would allow RAID0, as I recall a friend who went bazoobas to fill his box with drives so he had two RAID0 arrays.

I'd actually bet the Asmedia controller doesn't allow for RAID, though -- a small $10 bet. Like I said, my onboard Marvell controller only provided for AHCI-mode. It would be asking a bit much, the expect the board-maker to offer RAID on a two-port auxiliary controller.

This of course deviates from my observation about that Northwood board, but that was then, and this is now.

 

[sakete]

I just know that Gigabyte mobos usually have an added sata controller which supports RAID 1/0 next to the Intel southbridge, so I figured that the extra controller on the Asus board would be similar.