New AHCI Driver Confusion!

[BonzaiDuck]

http://techreport.com/review/25282/a-closer-look-at-rapid-dram-caching-on-the-samsung-840-evo-ssd

So with RAPID, you get similar speeds to having 2 drives in RAID mode but you are not actually in RAID mode. I love it, it uses 1 GB of your RAM which if you have 8GB+, you wouldn't care about as you want to use every bit of RAM you have to get max performance.

if you want something similar to RAPID but works on all SSDs,

try PrimoCache FTW:

http://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/primo-cache/index.html

PrimoCache is actually better since it's not limited to only using 1 GB of your RAM when caching stuff but you can use as much as you want

Yeah . . . In a long history of caching strategies bridging different levels of the "hardware pyramid," it uses RAM to do with SSDs what SSDs do with HDDs in ISRT. If it's stable and reliable, then it's an improvement. And the drivers (don't need Magician running) are pretty small.

Reason I got back about this: Very grateful you posted this "PrimoCache" info. Again, the same thing -- if it's stable and reliable, then it might be an option for some other systems we have here with SSDs that aren't
Sammy 840's.

So far on this system, RAPID has been "tip-top." I'm on the bandwagon with everyone else over how SSDs have opened a longstanding bottleneck in "the pyramid." I still stick to my assertion that I "see" improvement with RAPID, but I acknowledge the possible "placebo effect."

But here's another thought. For a while, before putting the 840 Pro in my system, I had decommissioned my ISRT and was running off the HDD. "Bidnis" applications don't suffer much; you could say an HDD-standalone is "tolerable."

But -- ain' nobody gonna go backwards on this . . .

 

[G73S]

well, no way in hell I am disabling RAPID after using it. If it doesn't do anything real in real world scenarios, it doesn't hurt either But I'm sure it has its hidden benefits

 

[MongGrel]

BS. You just like to hear yourself talk.

Apparently.

 

[MongGrel]

even when I used to have one of the first gen SSDs, I got a 7.9 rating in WEI, that is not a benchmark you can count on by any means and is very inconsistent. Example, with my 24 GB RAM sometimes it give a 7.8 rating and sometimes a 7.9 rating, that is after a fresh reboot and waiting for a few mins till all services/programs are loaded. very buggy benchmark but it's nice to see nonetheless

Can you post results of Crystal Disk Mark or AS SSD Benchmark so we can tell you if it's running at the suggested speed that it should or not?

I'd say it's a far stretch the OP would even know what those are if relying on Windows benchies.

On that note, I'm outa here.

 

[G73S]

i'd say it's a far stretch the op would even know what those are if relying on windows benchies.

On that note, i'm outa here.

lol +1

 

[Virgorising]

I'd say it's a far stretch the OP would even know what those are if relying on Windows benchies.

On that note, I'm outa here.

On top of what's already obvious, you are also too hysterical/DESPERATE/diletttante/ersatz.... to READ and use LINKS.

Please take your poverty elsewhere.

Sooooooo embarrassing!

 

[Virgorising]

As per BonzaiDuck, one of the precious, intact and worthy humans contributing in this thread:

Dereck47ac518GStorage
May 26, 2014 9:58:48 PM


AHCI is a subset of RAID.
Any drive (SSD or HDD) that is connected to a SATA port in RAID mode will automatically default to AHCI mode if it is not part of an actual RAID array.

U bet; it is what it is (if you take the time to focus and chase those data purely, with no twisted agendas), and no coward/bully phony/wheel spinning dilettante can change it.

I now understand and appreciate my benchmarks (and my BOARD) more than ever.






​

 

[BonzaiDuck]

As per BonzaiDuck, one of the precious, intact and worthy humans contributing in this thread:

Dereck47ac518GStorage
May 26, 2014 9:58:48 PM


AHCI is a subset of RAID.
Any drive (SSD or HDD) that is connected to a SATA port in RAID mode will automatically default to AHCI mode if it is not part of an actual RAID array.

U bet.





​

Well, "even I" feel a bit confused about that. AHCI IS a subset of RAID features. A standalone SSD WOULD have TRIM enabled with RAID-mode set in BIOS. BUT -- we've observed ("we" being our colleagues here) two things (at least):

1) Certain SSDs "require" AHCI-mode (setting in BIOS) to make a firmware upgrade. SSD configured under BIOS RAID-mode? SOL!!
2) Samsung Magician will not allow RAPID implementation under anything but AHCI-mode. Magician will "work", but it will tell you why it won't let you have RAPID.

So the "features" may be there, but all the FW-update and Magician software "see" is either "AHCI-mode" or "RAID-mode" -- based on the controller's overall BIOS setting for SATA.

On these . . . interpersonal conflict flare-ups. I guess it's to be expected. You've been here a while, though: some 4,000+ posts? Somebody got a burr in their keister because I was mimicking "cornpone," lamenting my slim wallet for not having upgraded to an IB or Haswell. He said he was thinking about going to the forum moderators to complain, but couldn't find a legitimate reason!!

There's that script line of the criminal-banker in "No Country for Old Men," when Woody Harrelson asks to have his parking sticker validated: "An attempt at humor, I suppose?"

That's what I said. Anyway . . . .

 

[Virgorising]

1) Certain SSDs "require" AHCI-mode (setting in BIOS) to make a firmware upgrade. SSD configured under BIOS RAID-mode? SOL!!

Assuming I would need it, given this drive is being phased out in favor of the M550s, I had the most recent firmware ready to go before the drive arrived, lol I used it.....was told this drive already has the identical version. I checked just to make sure, and that was right.

2) Samsung Magician will not allow RAPID implementation under anything but AHCI-mode. Magician will "work", but it will tell you why it won't let you have RAPID.

Again, I have Magician envy! Crucials have nothing proprietary of this sort!

On these . . . interpersonal conflict flare-ups. I guess it's to be expected. You've been here a while, though: some 4,000+ posts?

Yep.....been here 14 months. Both my mom and my BF say, for all I am known to be...I am also sometimes naive in my expectations. I always get the reality of individuals (I get paid to!), but I will never used to arrested developments or their defenses against their obvious old issues.

Nobody should tolerate that merda, however pathetic it always is.

Most pathetic part.....they kept going AFTER I PUT UP A LINK TO MY BENCHMARKS...with a link to the CRUCIAL FORUM and a guy with the identical drive and also only 3GB connectivity......his benchmarks Crucial pundits pronounced are fine....are HALF MINE. Mine are just above 600, his, around 300.

Course... the self hating trolls had no real interest (as I said and as was clear)....which is why they didn't even BOTHER bother to look at what they were screaming they wanted to see.

Were it not so disgusting, it might be amusing.

Somebody got a burr in their keister because I was mimicking "cornpone," lamenting my slim wallet for not having upgraded to an IB or Haswell. He said he was thinking about going to the forum moderators to complain, but couldn't find a legitimate reason!!

K....this is not clear to me, and that's uncommon. Who could not upgrade to Haswell? Who got dissed by whom? Remember this is a Lynnfield system, used, and I choose everything very carefully.

Knew the benchmarks on this i7 870 before I bid .....I doubt I will ever need faster! Not even Ivy or Sandy or JENNIFER! WHAAAAAAA? Forget, Haswell.

 

[VirtualLarry]

When I got my SSD I started off with a HDD clone that was actually in IDE mode. I then switched it to AHCI mode after several months. No noticable performance improvement. I then had to do a reinstall in which I started in AHCI right from the get go. Again, no noticable performance improvement. About a year later I upgraded my SSD to a larger, faster model and reinstalled windows. Again, no noticable performance improvement. My point is that simply having a SSD is what gives you the big boost in performance. After that, it doesnt really matter how it is set up.

That's basically what I was trying to point out, thanks. AHCI is largely a non-issue, unless you need hot-plug, at low queue depths. (Desktop workloads have low queue depths.)

 

[Virgorising]

That's basically what I was trying to point out, thanks. AHCI is largely a non-issue, unless you need hot-plug, at low queue depths. (Desktop workloads have low queue depths.)

NUTHIN BUT NET!!!! (Cept, I call it hot SWAP.)

I now get that! Took me this whole thread while also doing my usual delving.....but that is the privilege of the journey! The under assault by lowlifes & dilettantes.....not a part of the journey.

Larry, pls see the post where I put a link to my benchmarks and then a link to the post on the Crucial site. I will go back and get the number.

Edit: #48 is the post.

The second link put up in #48 in the face of first link to my benchmarks... yielded all the info I needed to finally confirm this installation is just fine.....better than fine given I only have 3GB connectivity.

 

[DrPizza]

People, please keep the personal attacks out of the thread. This includes the OP responding to other personal attacks. There's no reason not to be civil. Thank you,
-Admin DrPizza

 

[Virgorising]

People, please keep the personal attacks out of the thread. This includes the OP responding to other personal attacks. There's no reason not to be civil. Thank you,
-Admin DrPizza

10-4! I will take yr advice and ignore them in the future.

DrPizza....pls see this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/26/depressed-goat_n_5391433.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

 

[MongGrel]

*cough*

*Looks up the line*

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Ah . . . we were talking about BIOS SATA modes and drivers . . . . there's also another thread keeping up with this one . . . fairly similar discussion.

 

[MongGrel]

I won't bother offering advice in these anymore, I get dinged for trying to help someone out that won't listen, have a 2x Samsung EVO's on a Sata 3 adapter in AHCI in software on a X5650, and a separate RAID array on a hardware card running 4 WD RE-3s in RAID 1+0, but someone won't listen to people and just wants to report crap apparently.

GL there, no advice from me in the future.

Not a good place to post advice from general appearances.

Think I'll go make a Pizza.

 

[KingFatty]

VirgoRising, does your computer still give a bluescreen when you set the BIOS to AHCI mode?

I couldn't tell if you eventually solved the issue, or if the *solution* was to keep the computer BIOS setting to RAID.

Another question would be, how much of a performance penalty do you suffer by keeping the computer in RAID mode, instead of AHCI.

But, please correct me if I'm wrong, you are unable to answer this question because you are using a SATA 2 connection that is not able to let the drive enjoy it's full performance, so we can't do an apples-to-apples comparison of your RAID results to those AHCI benchmark results you posted earlier?

Also, I guess a 3rd question is, your performance is more consistent with the IDE-mode benchmarks you posted earlier - I think you referred to them as mindblowing benchmarks?

I still cannot tell if your performance is more like the slow IDE-mode benchmark results (because of SATA2), or more like the faster AHCI results, but still slower because of RAID and SATA2?

 

[Virgorising]

VirgoRising, does your computer still give a bluescreen when you set the BIOS to AHCI mode?

I couldn't tell if you eventually solved the issue, or if the *solution* was to keep the computer BIOS setting to RAID.

Another question would be, how much of a performance penalty do you suffer by keeping the computer in RAID mode, instead of AHCI.

But, please correct me if I'm wrong, you are unable to answer this question because you are using a SATA 2 connection that is not able to let the drive enjoy it's full performance, so we can't do an apples-to-apples comparison of your RAID results to those AHCI benchmark results you posted earlier?

Also, I guess a 3rd question is, your performance is more consistent with the IDE-mode benchmarks you posted earlier - I think you referred to them as mindblowing benchmarks?

I still cannot tell if your performance is more like the slow IDE-mode benchmark results (because of SATA2), or more like the faster AHCI results, but still slower because of RAID and SATA2?

Hi again!

Let me be succinct. All yr questions will be answered, issues rendered moot if you go to #48 and use the two links I put up: first to my benchmarks, second to the Crucial forum wherein a guy with identical drive and STATA2 limitations put up HIS using the SAME APP.

As per what I said clearly in that post, HIS total is HALF wut mine IS! and he did a clean install in W8!.....and the Crucial pundits told him his are fine.

End of story. Believe yr eyes, babe!:biggrin:

Many thanks for taking the time to help.

 

[KingFatty]

Thanks, I did not see that entire other thread, very helpful.

But I do think it would be helpful for future readers if you could comment on my first question about whether you get a bluescreen if you set the BIOS to AHCI mode?

The reason is that it sounds like a good solution to use RAID as you have, and install windows when the SSD is set to RAID mode. But the question is, are you now fully committed or stuck with RAID mode forever?

In other words, when you (for whatever reason) move to a new computer, and remove this SSD and go to install it in the new computer, what BIOS setting can you select on that new computer? Has your custom installation now put you on the path of forever being limited to choosing RAID? I'm wondering if that is the case now, but the answer might depend on whether you can currently be able to set your current computer to AHCI and whether you get a blue screen or not? I think, but I have no idea?

 

[Virgorising]

In other words, when you (for whatever reason) move to a new computer, and remove this SSD and go to install it in the new computer, what BIOS setting can you select on that new computer? Has your custom installation now put you on the path of forever being limited to choosing RAID? I'm wondering if that is the case now, but the answer might depend on whether you can currently be able to set your current computer to AHCI and whether you get a blue screen or not? I think, but I have no idea?

Hi, again...

So happy u saw post #48. As we say...it's a journey.

I have not tried to change the bios setting again.....cause I see no need! And, now, owning all the facts, I in no way feel "stuck" given what the current setting affords! And, remember, my TRIM is trimming.

I have no need/desire/plans to install the new wee drive in any other system. This used but perfect, carefully chosen system I got for amazing price is pretty new for me.....and I doubt I will ever need faster.

I never user my lappy anymore, it sits in the top of a closet doin nothin. My phones replacedd what i used to use it for it long ago.

Took me the usual, organic journey to get all the info in this..... But after all, that's the way life works!

And, had I not come upon that Crucial forum and that guy with the ironically identical situation (cept not an intel board), I never would have learned that intel SATA drivers are the best! As that Crucial person said, they were just waiting until better drives came along for people to get that. That was very cute.

Intel rocks....well, cept for their stock coolers. But nobody's perfect.