TRIM on a RAID0 on a Gigabyte H77 board

[TREX-HUNTER]

Hello to all,
First post here so go easy on me

I am planning a new build for a friend of mine:
Gigabyte GA-H77 Wifi
Kingston HyperX 3k 120Gb SSD
1TB WD Green
Intel i3-3225
8Gb of Ballistix inside a BitFenix Prodigy case.
The OS is really up to my friend, he hasn't got back to me re: Win 8 vs 7

Sounds like it'll be used for casual web surfing, office apps, movies and storage (no gaming, video editing, etc)

The plan is to convert the SSD into OS and cache array: something along the lines of 60/60Gb for each, then hook both drives on a RAID0 using ISRT.

The question is (and I know it has been asked a lot in relation to older chipsets): will TRIM work on this particular RAID0 setup? I recall somewhere that Intel has enabled TRIM for their 520s in RAID0 using Intel toolbox but I am not sure if other vendors have done the same. The 120Gb 520 equivalent is much more expensive than the HyperX (UK)

Since the cache maxes out at 64Gb, does it makes sense to use the rest for the OS? I am thinking: given the light use of the PC, I don't think he'll need more more than 60Gb for the OS. If space becomes an issue, the apps can spill into the -faster than HDD- RAID setup?

Further suggestions welcomed

*EDIT* So further readings confirms that I shouldn't have problems trimming an SSD in RAID0 since the board is a 7-series chipset. My question still remains: will this work on this particular set up as it is part cache array/ part OS drive?
Thanks

 

[Fernando 1]

Hello TREX-HUNTER,
welcome at AnandTech Forums!
If I would build a new computer with the components you have posted, I would not use the Intel(R) Smart Response Technology. I would install the OS (better Win8 than Win7) onto the SSD in AHCI mode and use the HDD for Data and backups.
Reasons:

1. The IRST has been designed by Intel for small sized SSDs just for caching purpose in the time when bigger sized SSDs were very expensive. The SSD you want to insert has a size of 120 GB, which is a very good size for the OS and the additional programs like Office etc.
2. According to my knowledge the use of a single SSD just for the OS without using the ISRT will give the user a better performance than your sharing space plan.
3. I am not sure, if TRIM in RAID0 will work within the SSD caching area.

Regards
Fernando

 

[TREX-HUNTER]

Thanks Fernando for your quick reply (your feats with enabling TRIM on 6-series have reached far and wide :thumbsup: )

My own set up (an X-25M G2 coupled with a WD 1TB Caviar black) follows your formula and its been going solid for +3 years.

I was hoping such a theoretical move would speed up the WD green a *bit*. My WD black takes a moment to rev up before pulling data and I wondered if the WD green would be worse, frankly, the penalty is nothing time wise, but hey, I wont say no to shaving a couple of milliseconds here and there if it makes the system feel snappy.

I've confirmed the built wont start till June (right about the time haswell hits the shelves?) so a lot might change till then.

I may bump this post later this summer Thanks again.