Intel SSD - Should I have installed the latest SATA controller driver for my mobo?

BoroRob_UK · 16 Dec 2009 at 13:20

Hi,

The question is simply that. I recently upgraded to an Intel SSD / Asus P6T deluxe. Open installing Win7 i went to the Asus site and downloaded all the latest drivers for my board including the latest SATA controller driver.

I am wondering wether or not I should have installed this driver if using an Intel SSD? Will it mess the handling of it? Apparently you need to use the stock Windows drivers for the SSD to utilize Trim.

Would appreciate if someone could explain the diff between SATA controller driver and SSD...

I have also flashed the SSD with the latest Intel firmware.

Rob

BoroRob_UK · 16 Dec 2009 at 14:23

Anyone? No one answering me at all lately... :confused:

snakefood · 16 Dec 2009 at 16:10

What controller runs the sata ports?

On my gigabyte board I have both intel & gigabyte sata controllers, controlling two banks of sata ports. The intel ssd wouldn't work right in the gigabyte ports' plugged; it into the intel ports and worked sweet.

jbloggs · 16 Dec 2009 at 16:13

Anyone? No one answering me at all lately

Patience is a virtue...dear boy!

I am assuming you are using the Intel ICH10R cont with your SSD...

So you downloaded and installed "Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager Driver V8.9.0.1023" for the ICH10R cont.,...This is the latest version that Intel has released and does NOT support the implementation of TRIM, although it does give better performance (read/writes) than the Microsoft released one...

If you want to implement TRIM on your setup, you need to roll back the ICH10R drivers (8.9.0.1023) to the Microsoft ones that are contained within Win 7 (which can be done in Device Manager), which would have been installed during the installation of Win 7...

Zarf · 16 Dec 2009 at 16:13

Use the latest sata drivers for better performance, and download the Intel SSD Toolbox to take care of TRIM (you can schedule it)

BoroRob_UK · 16 Dec 2009 at 16:40

I havent installed any driver for the SSD yet. I was told just to use Windows standard driver.. I am using an Asus P6TD board with Intel 160Gb SSD 34nm.. Ive got the SSD plugged into SATA1 on my board.. Should I update the SATA controller drivers to the latest ones on the Asus site then? Or what?

BoroRob_UK · 16 Dec 2009 at 16:54

Here is a screenshot of device man after installing the latest SATA controller driver from the Asus website.

ChileanLlama · 16 Dec 2009 at 17:42

Are your drives on the Intel IDE controller or on the Marvell RAID controller?

If they're not already, you'd be best off using the Intel ICH10R over the Marvell/Gigabyte controller.

BoroRob_UK · 17 Dec 2009 at 13:33

Llama, there you are.. Do u use irc ? gime a channel/network ur on plz. If not what talkers do u use? I really could do with some help testing my new system to see if it is all working properly and temperatures are right. I am unfamiliar with all the software. Help wud be appreciated.

-Need to find out which ports are what controllers, im plugged into SATA port 1 at the minute.

Jabbs · 17 Dec 2009 at 13:48

You shouldn't have installed the drivers to utilise TRIM you have to be running the stock driver that comes installed with Win 7/vista or trim doesn't work, when i first had my ssd i installed the intel drivers and i had no end of problems explorer crashing and lock-ups, so i formatted again and didn't bother with the drivers and its been faultless and Intel toolbox has been removed so you won't be able to use that atm until they release it again.

BoroRob_UK · 17 Dec 2009 at 15:04

Jabbs said:
Intel toolbox has been removed so you won't be able to use that atm until they release it again.

I noticed.

I've disabled the marvell controller in the BIOS so now I should only be using the Intel controller.

Thanks.

ChileanLlama · 17 Dec 2009 at 19:51

Sounds like you're good to go then

Don't install any drivers from Asus or Intel unless you're happy for TRIM to stop working.

If you right click the "Intel ICH10R Family..." and select properties entry under your IDE controllers in your screen shot, you'll get a new windows under the "Driver" tab you can see the driver date and revision that's installed.

BoroRob_UK · 19 Dec 2009 at 00:31

Im using driver version 9.1.1.1013 for the Intel controller?

The marvell controller must be just for IDE.. cos since disabling it ive lost my cd drive. ?

Rob

BoroRob_UK · 19 Dec 2009 at 11:37

.....................?

ChileanLlama · 19 Dec 2009 at 13:09

If you're only using it for your CD drive you can reenable it, or if you have the ports available put it on one of the Intel ports.

Initially I was worried about you using the Marvell port for your SSD.

BoroRob_UK · 19 Dec 2009 at 13:59

Llama,

My CD drive is IDE.. everything else is SATA. If i disable the marvell controller my cd drive wont even show in bios after a restart.. I need it on. I cant find anything in my manual as to what ports are for what controllers..

Im assuming the SSD must be using the Intel controller? And am I using the right driver version ^^^^^^^ ? Or should i be using the standard controller driver for Win 7 ?

The driver updated itself when I installed my latest chipset drivers.. (includes intel controller driver)

ChileanLlama · 19 Dec 2009 at 14:04

No everything is fine with your controllers - the SSD should stay on the Intel - if it's working when the 2nd controller (Marvell) is turned off then it must be on the Intel. Just turn on the Marvell now so you have the CD/DVD drive available as well.

1013 sounds right - if it's the MS drivers that shipped with Win7, but I'm on RAID so different revisions, I'll let someone who's running the MS drivers confirm for certain.

BoroRob_UK · 19 Dec 2009 at 15:56

Thanks Llama. Can anyone confirm if 9.1.1.1013 are the right drivers?