SSD cache for z68 SRT

xsistor

xsistor

xsistor

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Can anyone give me some first-hand impressions on using SRT with their z68 boards?

I have a MSI z68a-gd65-g3 and wondering how much of a hassle this is to setup? I already have important data on my existing HDD (640GB Caviar Black) and am thinking of either getting a 60GB cache drive or getting a bigger one as a dedicated SSD. The HDD is in AHCI mode at the moment and Windows is installed on it. Will I need to switch to RAID and reformat if I am getting an SSD for cache?

One issue I'm a little concerned about is that write performance is low in Enhanced Mode while MAximised mode can cause system files corruption. I don't use a UPS and so, rarely, there can be power outages. I'd hate to not be able to boot simply because of a circuit breaker going off because someone wet the cooker or something, so how commonly does boot failure related issues occur with Maximised-mode SRT? I would be more willing to go this route if windows startup repair fix these errors if/when they occur.

My budget is around £60ish if I'm going the cache route and £120ish if the dedicated SSD route is markedly better/preferred.
 
From what I understand, SRT is good but a standalone SSD is always going to be best. So if you can afford a 120GB one for a boot drive, I'd do that.

I'm afraid I have no first hand experience with SRT though sorry.
 
cheers wazza, that looks interesting. I'm also liking the macrium reflect option that mod talks about. if i end up getting a 120gb ssd i might go that route.
 
yes he knows his stuff,but too advanced for me atm plus i dont want to mess reinstalling my os,the way i did it with a simple reg tweak means you dont have to reinstall,startups and shutdowns are much much faster,remember that 64gb is the max allowed for ssd caching,so bare that in mind and go for a synchronous nand drive,not an asynchronous,vertex3,crucial m4 and corsair gt all use superior synchronous nand cant say about other models
 
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Can your method be done while the BIOS setting is in AHCI mode? My mainboard manual says I should set it to RAID if I'm using SRT.
 
Cheers, Wazza.

when I switch from AHCI to RAID I'll have to format/reinstall OS anyway won't I? (this is sorta why I'm thinking I'll just go for 120GB if I have to reinstal anyway)
 
No that's what the reg tweak is for,I switched from ahci to raid after I made the reg tweak then added ssd,but if you want to install the OS on the ssd just set to raid in BIOS and do clean install onto your ssd
 
Nice demo.

Would still like some input as to what SSD to get. Looked at some benchmarks and the Force 3 seems low-ish on performance. Leaning towards the Adata S511 or the Crucial M4 now. Which one should I get?
 
xsistor said:
Nice demo.

Would still like some input as to what SSD to get. Looked at some benchmarks and the Force 3 seems low-ish on performance. Leaning towards the Adata S511 or the Crucial M4 now. Which one should I get?
Click to expand...

Crucial M4 is always recommended! Fastest in real-world performance from what I gather. Did you look at the "SSD megatest"?

They're all fast. A Force 3 won't be slow by any means, and is a fair bit cheaper.
 
force3 uses cheaper asynchronous nand memory,when drives half full performance drops off unlike synchronous nand,vertex 3 crucial m4 and corsair gt all use synchronous nand memory where this problem doesnt happen
 
Does this reg tweek really work?

I like to upgrade couple work machines to SSD however reinstalling windows ect downtime not an option for me. Whats the biggest Z68 SRT compatible SSD to buy from here?
 
ssd can be as big as you like but the caching part only uses 64gb maximum and yes the reg tweak works like a charm,read the link i posted above,youll see my 2tb drive working at ssd speeds,i didnt reinstall a single thing just added in ssd
 
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