Motherboard chipset NOT fulfil with SSD

[thinksloth]

Hi,

I am deciding buy my first ssd in short time, before that had to ensure ssd do not have trouble with my MB. And I am considering Plextor M5p / Samsung 840 Pro.

Motherboard: ASUS P8H61-M PRO
http://www.asus.com/Motherboard/P8H61M_PRO/#specifications

I have 4 Intel SATA 3GB ports and 2 Asmedia SATA 6GB ports. Assume the new ssd plugs to Asmedia Sata 6gb port, but I google about Asmedia, and found some disadvantage:
- Asmedia is used in low end MB, and its speed can just fulfil ~5gb (because of its pci lane speed)
- and forum/webpage said better plug into native Intel Sata 6gb port instead of Asmedia for better speed.

Thus I want to know is that Asmedia is not fast enough as it claims? If its true, then should I plug into Intel Sata 3Gb port? How many percentage decrease? (50%? as 6gb port vs 3gb port).

Please give me some advice about this, and I am afraid my MB have the problem with the ssd.

Thanks~

 

[john3850]

Run a speed test on each port to find the correct answer.
On the sticker that covers 6 of 8 sata mb ports is a note that states use these ports only
for better performance and faster boot times on my asrock mb.
I have the 2 Asmedia SATA 6GB ports shut off till I need them.

 

[thinksloth]

Run a speed test on each port to find the correct answer.
On the sticker that covers 6 of 8 sata mb ports is a note that states use these ports only
for better performance and faster boot times on my asrock mb.
I have the 2 Asmedia SATA 6GB ports shut off till I need them.

Test on each port is that mean plug the ssd to each port and run the benchmark test?

But my concern is if asmedia (sata 6gb port do not have the speed it claims) then will consider another not high speed ssd (plextor m5p / samsung 840 pro) due to my MB limitation.

 

[thinksloth]

Also my MB is quite strange, because in Windows 7 when I click "Safely remove hardware and Eject Media", it shown my hard disk that can be ejected like usb stick.

 

[WilliamM2]

Also my MB is quite strange, because in Windows 7 when I click "Safely remove hardware and Eject Media", it shown my hard disk that can be ejected like usb stick.

On my board (Asrock, not Asus), there is an option for each drive in the UEFI called "removable storage". If enabled, it adds the Eject media icon in the taskbar to any sata drives. Although it won't actually let you eject the OS drive, for obvious reasons.

 

[thinksloth]

On my board (Asrock, not Asus), there is an option for each drive in the UEFI called "removable storage". If enabled, it adds the Eject media icon in the taskbar to any sata drives. Although it won't actually let you eject the OS drive, for obvious reasons.

Thus what's the purpose of this features..? And would that features hurt an ssd? As I see that forum (forget the link), seems this feature like "hot swap" will hurt ssd life

 

[birthdaymonkey]

In general, the Intel 3Gb SATA ports are recommended over third party ones. Despite ASMedia's claims to SATA-III performance, they often lag behind the SATA-II Intel ones. Having them enabled also adds to boot time, and they are potentially less reliable. If I were you, I would use the Intel ports and get a cheaper SSD. Most people wouldn't notice the difference between an 840 pro and a lower-tier drive.

 

[thinksloth]

In general, the Intel 3Gb SATA ports are recommended over third party ones. Despite ASMedia's claims to SATA-III performance, they often lag behind the SATA-II Intel ones. Having them enabled also adds to boot time, and they are potentially less reliable. If I were you, I would use the Intel ports and get a cheaper SSD. Most people wouldn't notice the difference between an 840 pro and a lower-tier drive.

If plug a lower-tier ssd in Asmedia port, will it cause system unstable..?

 

[birthdaymonkey]

If plug a lower-tier ssd in Asmedia port, will it cause system unstable..?

Plugging any SSD into an ASMedia port may cause instability.

 

[thinksloth]

Plugging any SSD into an ASMedia port may cause instability.

Oh too bad...but my 7200rpm hard disk is plugging into asmedia port now, will it hurts my hard drive.?
And I don't know why a motherboard will have intel and asmedia port, make me feel asmedia is "good" as its rare(just 2 ports)

 

[birthdaymonkey]

It isn't necessarily going to hurt anything (you may be fine), but ASMedia doesn't have the best reputation for rock solid reliability and strong performance.

I've had nothing but issues with their eSATA ports and USB3 controllers (on various ASUS motherboards), so I may be biased.

 

[thinksloth]

In Device Manager > IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller, it has 2 items name "Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller", its driver is from Microsoft, and have few questions:
- does this item mean the Asmedia 6gb port?
- I see webpage said can install native Intel RST driver
- Or this item can instal Asmedia driver?

Sorry I dont know many things, so want to clear up before buying and using the SSD

 

[Unit'Igor]

Currently you have install Microsoft standard MSAHCI driver on ASMedia 1061 controller,that driver is standard and can be install on any sata controller.You can install ASmedia driver on ASMedia controller:
http://www.station-drivers.com/page/asmedia.htm
If you plan to connect your SSD on ASmedia controller then you dont need Intel RST driver because,it would not have purpose.
If you can overclock pci-e line then you can try stay on ASMedia controller.if you cant overclock then I suggest thet you go back to Intel sata2 port,because you will have there better results.

 

[thinksloth]

Currently you have install Microsoft standard MSAHCI driver on ASMedia 1061 controller,that driver is standard and can be install on any sata controller.You can install ASmedia driver on ASMedia controller:
http://www.station-drivers.com/page/asmedia.htm
If you plan to connect your SSD on ASmedia controller then you dont need Intel RST driver because,it would not have purpose.
If you can overclock pci-e line then you can try stay on ASMedia controller.if you cant overclock then I suggest thet you go back to Intel sata2 port,because you will have there better results.

Is it the fact that asmedia port can install different vendor driver(asmedia, Microsoft, intel.)

I googled some ssd bsod case can be solved by intel rst driver.