SSD cache setup questions

[Borkil]

Alright so I just got a new z68 and I was wondering if it was possible to (easily) set up SRT on my current configuration. Does SRT only work on raid and not single drives?

I have 4 drives:
intel 320 120gb ssd - OS drive
500gb hdd - Documents/Music/Pics/Data drive
1tb hdd - Games/linux virtual machine
1tb hdd - Backup/Random data drive

I have an old 60gb vertex 2 ssd that I was hoping to add and use as cache for either the games or documents drive. Is this possible? Is there a guide that someone can point me to? The motherboard is set into AHCI mode will there be any problems in switching to RAID?

 

[bryanW1995]

sorry, I missed that you already have the vertex 2. In that case, yes you can easily set up the spare ssd as a cache drive. As I mentioned in the other drive, you will have to set it up as an 18.6gb cache (only other option is 64gb). All you need to do is download the intel rapid storage drivers application, start it up, and hit the "acclerate" button (more or less). However, you can only accelerate one of your data drives (or one group of raided drives). You don't have to switch to RAID mode in the bios unless you put the cache + OS on the same ssd.

 

[Borkil]

Are you sure that the only option available to me is just 18.6gb cache? I thought you can use an entire drive, up to 64 gb, for cache. So in my instance it would use up to 60gb (well more like 54 or something if i remember right)

 

[bryanW1995]

That could be right, I didn't have that option with my hd. Here's a handy link from anand's original SRT article:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4329/intel-z68-chipset-smart-response-technology-ssd-caching-review/2

btw, from reading that article, you will have to run the computer in RAID mode. That didn't cause problems for me as NCQ was still enabled.

 

[bradcollins]

I've done the caching with a 40gb and a 60gb ssd with no problems.

 

[bryanW1995]

So it will let you either use 18.6gb, 64 gb, OR the entire hard drive up to 64gb.

 

[GotNoRice]

So it will let you either use 18.6gb, 64 gb, OR the entire hard drive up to 64gb.

Correct.

Also, SRT DOES require your SATA controller be set to RAID mode to function properly.

 

[fastamdman]

I have a 64gb crucial m4 and a 500gb 7200rpm 6gbps sata drive. I use the SSD for WoW+operating system and the hdd for everything else. Would I benefit from using this?

Not trying to thread jack, but didn't want to make an entire new thread when one was already made .

I currently have intel rapid store technology but I am running both drives in AHCI mode so in rst it just shows a green check mark, nothing is "accelerated". Could I be getting faster speeds / load times with ssd caching?