New Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers - 10.6.0.1022

Psy-Blade · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:07

Hey guys, just thought I'd spread the word of a new RST release for the following chips:

RAID Controllers:
- Intel(R) Desktop/Workstation/Server Express Chipset SATA RAID Controller
- Intel(R) Mobile Express Chipset SATA RAID Controller
- Intel(R) ICH7MDH SATA RAID Controller
- Intel(R) ICH7R/DH SATA RAID Controller

AHCI Controllers:
- Intel(R) Desktop/Workstation/Server Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) Mobile Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) 5 Series 4 Port SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) 5 Series 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) ICH10D/DO SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) EP80579 SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) ICH9R/DO/DH SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) ICH7M/MDH SATA AHCI Controller
- Intel(R) ICH7R/DH SATA AHCI Controller

edit: Link

DragonQ · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:49

Ja, installed it already but haven't restarted yet.

hideki · 13 Jul 2011 at 14:59

Do these Intel drivers support TRIM? I know originally only the native windows drivers did.

DragonQ · 13 Jul 2011 at 15:10

Intel RST drivers have supported TRIM for ages. 9.6 introduced TRIM for SATA controllers set to RAID (but not for drives actually in a RAID array) so TRIM for AHCI/IDE must've been around before that.

scooby555t · 14 Jul 2011 at 08:45

will theses work with the original vertex 60gb hdds ? or they just for intil drives ?

Venares · 14 Jul 2011 at 09:40

Any Intel Controler.
Has nothing to do with what drive you are using.

Cosimo · 14 Jul 2011 at 10:37

Thanks for the heads up. Downloading now.

Mr. May · 14 Jul 2011 at 10:48

willl this make any diffrence ?

izit · 14 Jul 2011 at 12:27

Think I'll pass while my SSD is accually working..

Zarf · 14 Jul 2011 at 14:11

Installed, no noticeable difference yet.

Cosimo · 14 Jul 2011 at 14:38

Zarf said:
Installed, no noticeable difference yet.

Same here. It might be useful to people having problems with the Vertex 3 drives.

Sunbed · 14 Jul 2011 at 16:15

Retarded question but what do these drivers actually do?? I have a Vertex 2E and I installed these drivers ages ago but for what?

Is it just for RAID?

DragonQ · 14 Jul 2011 at 16:55

SATA controller drivers. They replace the usual Microsoft ones that Windows uses by default. In theory they should squeeze a bit more performance from your controller (and thus any drives attached to it) because they're written specifically for Intel's controllers.

Sunbed · 14 Jul 2011 at 17:06

DragonQ said:
SATA controller drivers. They replace the usual Microsoft ones that Windows uses by default. In theory they should squeeze a bit more performance from your controller (and thus any drives attached to it) because they're written specifically for Intel's controllers.

Thanks.

Another question (more off-topic):

Can I set SATA controller to RAID mode in BIOS with my Vertex 2E, and will TRIM still be enabled? Am I right in thinking the SSD has to be part of the RAID array for TRIM not to function?

Furthermore (I have never set up RAID before), can I set up RAID on my data drives at a later date i.e. after OS install? - This is why I'm setting SATA to RAID now rather than AHCI.

DragonQ · 14 Jul 2011 at 17:34

Sundance said:
Thanks.

Another question (more off-topic):

Can I set SATA controller to RAID mode in BIOS with my Vertex 2E, and will TRIM still be enabled? Am I right in thinking the SSD has to be part of the RAID array for TRIM not to function?

Furthermore (I have never set up RAID before), can I set up RAID on my data drives at a later date i.e. after OS install? - This is why I'm setting SATA to RAID now rather than AHCI.

If you want to use RAID in the future for your data drives, set your SATA controller to RAID mode before installing Windows, this is the easiest way. As long as the SSD itself isn't in a RAID array and you're using Intel RST drivers, TRIM will work normally.

Psy-Blade · 15 Jul 2011 at 11:20

DragonQ said:
If you want to use RAID in the future for your data drives, set your SATA controller to RAID mode before installing Windows, this is the easiest way. As long as the SSD itself isn't in a RAID array and you're using Intel RST drivers, TRIM will work normally.

Just to add to this, yes, if you want to set up a RAID of standard HDD's for data/storage in future you can. you simply enter the RAID management tool and create a new array whenever you need. It's Ctrl-I for me, just after the BIOS post screen thing.

Sunbed · 15 Jul 2011 at 11:43

OK thanks guys

gazzaman2k · 15 Jul 2011 at 14:52

cant see any difference in speed or owt

morfmedia · 16 Jul 2011 at 13:22

I believe the intel drivers also have optimisations for better power saving.