Intel Smart Response Technology, how to setup?

[Exploder87]

Hey there dudes and dudettes!

I recently found out about Intel® Smart Response Technology and I became very fascinated by it. I'm buying a new computer very soon, so I thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of such technology in my upcoming system. Here's my planned setup so far:

1x256GB SSD Crucial M4 for Windows 7 & programs.
1x2TB HDD Seagate Barracuda or WD Caviar Black for games & data.
1x64GB SSD Crucial M4 as cache for the mechanical 2TB HDD.
1x1TB HDD for backup.

So I was hoping to use Intel SRT to achieve this. Basically I want to have the freedom to install as many games as I want on the HDD without worrying about lack of space, and let the Intel SRT technology cache my frequently used games to speed up loading times to near SSD-speeds.

I'm pretty sure this should be doable, feedback anyone?

But I need help with setting it up because it sounds complicated. How about something like this, using an Asus Sabertooth z77 mobo:

1. Attach 256GB SSD to the Intel SATA 6GB/s port, nothing else.
2. Turn on PC, enter BIOS, activate RAID mode (which comes with all the ACHI goodies if you're not setting up an actual RAID array correct?).
3. Install W7, SP1, drivers, and the Intel SRT-driver, shut off PC
4. Attach 64GB SSD to the second Intel SATA 6GB/s port, followed by the mechanical HDD's on the SATA 3GB/s ports.
5: Power on the beast, start the Intel SRT program, pick the 64GB SSD to accelerate the 2TB mechanical drive.

Would that be the correct procedure for my epic plan? Will it even work? Or is this setup simply too insane?

 

[bryanW1995]

1. This sounds like the correct procedure
2. It is not insane at all unless you like 21st century storage technology in your new rig


You could save the $80 or so on the extra 64gb m4 if you wanted to get really crazy and have your data+cache on one ssd. Here's a link for an article with instructions:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2172381&page=8

 

[Exploder87]

Aha, thanks Bryan.

However, I'd rather not jeopardize the speed of the OS-drive by dedicating parts of it as cache and reducing its size. I'll need the future space as I won't be able to afford anymore significant PC upgrades in the next 5-6 years because of studying, starting this autumn. Also, the possible lack of TRIM on a main OS/program-drive scares me.

But does this mean that if I go for the original setup, the 64GB SSD will suffer from lack of TRIM as well, even though it's purely used as a cache?

 

[WT]

My only concern with that setup is the wear rate on the cache SSD may be significantly faster (assuming it uses MLC) than an SSD that was designed for caching and uses SLC, like the Intel 311.
It will take years to wear out, but when it does, its dead in a hurry.

 

[Exploder87]

My only concern with that setup is the wear rate on the cache SSD may be significantly faster (assuming it uses MLC) than an SSD that was designed for caching and uses SLC, like the Intel 311.
It will take years to wear out, but when it does, its dead in a hurry.

Interesting. How about using a cache-SSD like this one instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148564

Reviews indicate it being SMART and TRIM enabled. Should last a lot longer than a regular M4 for this purpose then I guess.

But I need to know if you can use that drive for caching a secondary mechanical drive. From what I've read, you can only use the Adrenaline to speed up a mechanical drive with the OS already installed on it.

 

[WT]

That Crucial SSD is still using MLC, so it doesn't bypass the issue. And by saying its an issue, it may crop up after 5 years instead of 8 years that you could milk out of the SLC unit. And by that time, you have retired that board and SSD to backup status. I just wanted to mention it since I rarely see prospective buyers who know its an issue.

 

[Silenus]

That Crucial SSD is still using MLC, so it doesn't bypass the issue. And by saying its an issue, it may crop up after 5 years instead of 8 years that you could milk out of the SLC unit. And by that time, you have retired that board and SSD to backup status. I just wanted to mention it since I rarely see prospective buyers who know its an issue.

This except probably more like 12 years instead of 24 years....in other words don't worry about MLC on a caching drive. It will last as long as your upgrade cycle easily unless you are doing something extremely write heavy ALL the time.

Even Intel has said that the primary reason for SLC on their small caching drives is due to better speeds with fewer channels. The extra write endurance is merely a bonus.