mSata for caching storage drive?

chugindo

Junior Member
Feb 5, 2013
2
0
0
Working on a new build.. the motherboards I'm deciding between have an mSata slot.

I plan on having a 256 SSD (regular, not mSata) for primary/boot... and a 3TB HD for storage & everthing else.

Is it possible to utilize any benefit from the mSata by installing something like a small msata card and use that to cache the 3TB drive? OR would this basically be pointless?

If it is beneficial, is that also possible if I get two 3TB and run them in Raid 1?
 

LoveMachine

Senior member
May 8, 2012
491
3
81
I have my 3Tb drive cached with SRT, but mostly because iTunes is stoopid. My AppleTV kept hammering away on a photo folder for no good reason, slowing down the drive. The cache helped immensely, but I had a spare small SSD laying around so it was a no cost investment. For most users, I doubt there's a significant boost to justify the cost unless you play just a few games/apps or frequently hit the same media files.

If you do decide to go for it, just make sure to install Windows with BIOS set to RAID mode. You can enable post-install, but the results are not always ideal.