Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB install question

kannanni · 19 Apr 2010 at 15:15

Hiya,

Just bought this now and holpefully arriving tomorrow from ocuk.

its my first ssd and decided to buy it after reading good reviews on this forum.

i will be installing windows 7 x64 with my main apps on it..

motherboard is an Asus p5q-e with intel ich10r controller updated with latest bios from asus.

i read mixed reviews regarding sata mode, do i need ahci or ide as it is ?

secondly does this drive come with latest update from intel Ver:v1.5 Date:11/30/2009 Size:2832, or do i need to burn iso and update drive in ide mode before setting ahci and install windows ?

and last question. after installing windows do i need intel chipset software utility latest from intel, or the Intel Matrix Storage Manager so i can have trim up and running ?

ta

jbloggs · 19 Apr 2010 at 15:37

do i need ahci or ide as it is ?

I prefer AHCI for SSD...

secondly does this drive come with latest update from intel Ver:v1.5 Date:11/30/2009 Size:2832, or do i need to burn iso and update drive in ide mode before setting ahci and install windows ?

It may do, you'll just have to check it out when you get it...

after installing windows do i need intel chipset software utility latest from intel, or the Intel Matrix Storage Manager so i can have trim up and running ?

If you run your SSD in AHCI mode, then once desktop appears after install, you'll want to install (ie. update, as earlier versions will have been install during Win 7 install) the latest Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility software and 9.6.0.1014 drivers (for ICH10R), or Intel Rapid Storage Tech software (which will also install the 9.6.0.1014 drivers)...

If you choose to run in IDE mode, you don't need to update either the chipset or ICH10R drivers...

kannanni · 19 Apr 2010 at 16:49

jbloggs said:
I prefer AHCI for SSD...

It may do, you'll just have to check it out when you get it...

If you run your SSD in AHCI mode, then once desktop appears after install, you'll want to install (ie. update, as earlier versions will have been install during Win 7 install) the latest Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility software and 9.6.0.1014 drivers (for ICH10R), or Intel Rapid Storage Tech software (which will also install the 9.6.0.1014 drivers)...

If you choose to run in IDE mode, you don't need to update either the chipset or ICH10R drivers...

thanks for the reply,

i will go for AHCI then.
last question. after installing windows, will just the Intel Matrix Storage Manager be good enough for drivers ie ahci,usb etc just on its own ?
if yes then i dont need the intel chipset software utility, am i wright ?

thanks

danielanthony · 19 Apr 2010 at 16:59

I thought that you should use the Microsoft disk drivers and not the Intel ones to enable TRIM support in Windows?

Or does this not apply to Intel SSD's?

ultrakipper · 19 Apr 2010 at 19:09

when i benchmarked my intel x25 it performed a lot better in AHCI mode.

jbloggs · 19 Apr 2010 at 20:22

The "Intel Matrix Storage Manager" is the OLD application (for managing the ICH10R), if you use AHCI mode it is a good idea to install the "Intel Rapid Storage Tech software" for "Intel Rapid" and to update ICH10R drivers to 9.6.0.1014...

i dont need the intel chipset software utility

Older Intel chipset drivers will have been installed during the Win 7 installation, however, it is best to update them to the latest from the link I provided...

Intel Rapid Storage tech software is for the ICH10R (Southbridge)

intel chipset software utility is for (Intel) chipset...