AHCI or RAID, does it matter?

probedb · 11 Sep 2008 at 09:08

Hi all,

Seeing as I can use either of these on my motherboard does it really matter which I use?

I have no intention of using RAID but it'll enable the extra SATA features.

Intel's drivers for the ICH8R don't seem to want to let me install the AHCI drivers when I install Windows (AHCI is selected for SATA in the BIOS) so was wondering if it's ok to just select RAID instead?

Cheers

Paul.

pduk · 11 Sep 2008 at 10:39

I have my 4 disks set up using the RAID driver as you say, without actually having a RAID array. I read that this was the best way to do an easy install of windows (without messing around with the AHCI drivers) while getting the SATA benefits. It works fine for me, though I have to admit I have no idea whether I'm losing any disk throughput speed having it set up this way rather than with AHCI.

rpstewart · 11 Sep 2008 at 10:50

The Intel RAID drivers also implement AHCI so there's no problem with setting everything to RAID mode.

probedb · 11 Sep 2008 at 13:01

Cool, thanks for the info guys!