X79 Chipset and SSD caching

[carleeto]

Does anyone know if the X79 chipset is going to get SSD caching some time later through a software update?

I ask because right now, only a few of Asus' P9X79 motherboards have SSD caching. It is something I really want in my system, which then begs the question - are the other manufacturers going to support SSD caching later on for their X79 models when Intel releases a driver or similar for the feature?

While we're on the subject, does anyone have any experience with how reliable Asus' SSD caching is? Intel's has two modes, but Asus has one. I just need to know that I won't lose a few GB of cached data if something goes wrong.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Just to check, have you done your homework to make sure X79 really offers a performance benefit over 1155 for you? For 99% of users it costs more but is not any faster.

If you're willing to spend an extra $500+ for X79, why not just get a full-size SSD boot drive instead of bothering with slower partial caching?

 

[carleeto]

Yes it does. I need support for more than 32GB of memory. I need PCI Express 3.0. I need more than 4 cores but can't afford a Xeon. That also means I won't be able to afford a multi terabyte SSD setup. So while my OS will run off an SSD, I will be using normal drives for the space. Hence the need for SSD caching.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

 

[dajeepster]

I just started today. I'm trying to get it too run on my P9X79 Pro.. having a little difficulties. getting a memory error when i try to run the program.

Asus uses software that you run within windows.

I'll probably slick the drives, reinstall and try again tomorrow.

I'm using a C300 64 gb ssd drive.. and a 750GB seagate momentus xt hybrid drive as my main drive.

 

[gramboh]

Personally, I would not trust Asus software for something as significant as SSD caching. I thought I've read about commercial products, but can't seem to find the name right now.

 

[Diogenes2]

Asus uses software that you run within windows.
.....

Doesn't Asus use the Marvell controller for this ?


The Asrock X79 Xtreme 9 has the Marvell controller with SSD caching. It can be set up in the Marvell RAID BIOS during post ..

Not as fast as the Intel Z68 solution, but quite a bit faster than a stand alone HDD ..

I'm not sure about the other Asrock X79 booards..

 

[dajeepster]

Doesn't Asus use the Marvell controller for this ?
The Asrock X79 Xtreme 9 has the Marvell controller with SSD caching. It can be set up in the Marvell RAID BIOS during post ..

Not as fast as the Intel Z68 solution, but quite a bit faster than a stand alone HDD ..

I'm not sure about the other Asrock X79 booards..

I just got mine up and running today with ssd caching... not sure about whether it uses the marvel controller.

i had to do a system reinstall... and then the software ran fine.

Personally, I would not trust Asus software for something as significant as SSD caching. I thought I've read about commercial products, but can't seem to find the name right now.

The asus software is my only choice right now... there's no option in the bios.

the bios is also all GUI based now... really cool looking... startled me at first when i first saw it.

 

[carleeto]

Dajeepster, if you don't mind, can you try running some reliability tests? For example, Just copy 2GB of files somewhere. When the OS says its done, pull the plug on the system and see if the files are still there when it starts up?

 

[carleeto]

Worst case, I don't mind investing in a UPS that would guarantee that my system would shut down gracefully in the event of a power outage. I just don't want to lose data. I will be doing a lot of photo and video editing and would hate to lose data.

Anand, if you're reading this, can you please do an article comparing Asus' SSD caching and the Z68's SSD caching?

 

[gramboh]

Not trying to flame, but if you are buying the X79 platform, why not just get a 128-256GB SSD for boot/app/games? Prices have come down significantly in the last month or so. Add extra drives for storage of media.

 

[carleeto]

My system config does include a 128GB SSD for the OS. However, I do a lot of photo and video editing, so it is nowhere near enough for that kind of work. Yes, I will be using normal HDDs for my content, but if SSD caching can give me even a 3x speed up over normal HDDs, why not use it? It would save me heaps of time in the long run. This is why I am looking into SSD caching on the X79 platform in the first place.

 

[DigitalWolf]

Not trying to flame, but if you are buying the X79 platform, why not just get a 128-256GB SSD for boot/app/games? Prices have come down significantly in the last month or so. Add extra drives for storage of media.

Well in my case my previous work box had a C300 SSD which was around 60gb. As you mention prices dropped so when I rebuilt my work box... I bought a larger SSD for my OS.


So now I had the C300 laying around... well guess what I did with it? Yep I set it up with my mass storage spindle drive.


I think I saw a question regarding the cache ports... At least on the Asus P9X79 Pro.. You have 8 Sata ports. The top 2 are "grey" Intel Sata6 ports, the middle 4 are "blue" Intel Sata 3 ports. The bottom 2 are "grey" Marvel-Sata 6. (this information would be around pages: 2-26 - 2-28 of your Asus manual.

The two marvel "grey" ports are where you plug in the two drives for cache. There is also a label on the side facing towards you that says SSD Cache or similar.


I don't know in relation to the original question about outside program support (or upcoming support).

I didn't have any issue installing AI Suite 2 (the Asus software) and the setup was very easy (at least for me).


Sorry if this isn't easy to read... I'm obviously more of a long time lurker than poster.

 

[dajeepster]

I'm having reliability issues.. but i think it has more to do with my seagate 750GB hybrid drive than it does with just caching.

it seems that microsoft update really doesn't like the 750 GB hybrid drive. after I did a fresh install, update wouldn't allow me to update. I had to delete the update files that were installed with the OS in order for it to work. this appears to be a common problem with the drive.

I'm also getting random BSOD every couple days. I'll run the system for another week, and then i'll reinstall with just the SSD and see how it runs.

I've running win7 x64. 16GB ram. didn't have this problem with the system before i did SSD caching. the only other variable that is different is that i installed a third GPU and watercooled the system. The third gpu could possibly be causing it.

 

[dajeepster]

I'm having reliability issues.. but i think it has more to do with my seagate 750GB hybrid drive than it does with just caching.

it seems that microsoft update really doesn't like the 750 GB hybrid drive. after I did a fresh install, update wouldn't allow me to update. I had to delete the update files that were installed with the OS in order for it to work. this appears to be a common problem with the drive.

I'm also getting random BSOD every couple days. I'll run the system for another week, and then i'll reinstall with just the SSD and see how it runs.

I've running win7 x64. 16GB ram. didn't have this problem with the system before i did SSD caching. the only other variable that is different is that i installed a third GPU and watercooled the system. The third gpu could possibly be causing it.

or possibly the software...

 

[carleeto]

If you do decide to remove the third GPU just to check, I'd be keen to know if it was the GPU or the caching software.