SSD Cache with Gigabyte Z77-D3H

philmo

philmo

philmo

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I have heard from several people that an SSD cache drive (even 64GB) makes a marked improvement on access time.

I have seen http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-032-CS&groupid=1657&catid=2101&subcat=

My concern is that somewhere it has been suggested I would have to re-install Windows 7 (really would rather not). This is due to my mobo model which is a Gigabyte Z77-D3H (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-391-GI).

So can anyone please advise if it is worth the upgrade, of a good drive to go for - and importantly do I have to re-install Windows.

Thanks
 
no you dont have to reinstall windows,gigabyte has its own caching setup program that sets it all up for you

and secondly you dont need a special caching ssd either,thats for older motherboards other than z77

personally id choose this drive

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-023-CS

it will work fine in caching mode(raid in the bios) on a z77 board

just add the ssd on the sata3 speed ports alongside your existing hdd and setup caching
 
Yep, exactly that. I'm running an OCZ 60GB as a cache drive to a 500GB Caviar Black and getting some pretty good speeds/real world performance from the setup on a Z77-D3H.

Doddle to setup, if you installed in AHCI mode:

1) Ensure Intel RST management software installed.
2) Apply reg fix to stick Windows into non-AHCI mode.
3) Install SSD.
4) Enter BIOS, switch disk mode to RAID.
5) Fire up Intel RST, select "Accelerate" option.
6) Pick your cache + volume to be accelerated (will probably auto-select).
7) Apply.
8) Profit/drink beer/have a little party.

Enjoy. :)
 
Stupidly I did not set-up my HDD as AHCI (arghh!), I know I have come across a link to a fix from Microsoft so you can change it with the drive already formated with windows installed etc. Is it worth me doing this ?.

If I do not change to AHCI can I still add the SSD as described above ?.

Great feedback as ever.

tks
 
you have to set to raid to use caching,the gigabyte program should do all this for you,caching wont work if not in raid mode
 
It sets up all the SATA ports to raid/ahci mode,that software I linked you to does this for you,your hdd's will carry on working as normal
 
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