AHCI versus RAID with 2TB HD + 32GB M.2 SSD Cache and 250GB SSD

[sssanti]

I have a Dell XPS 8900 with a 2TB HD + 32GB M.2 SSD Cache and I want to use a Samsung 250GB 840 EVO SSD as the system drive. I would also put programs and files I use frequently in the 250GB SDD. The 2TB hard drive would store user files, music, photos and videos.

After reading in different forums, it seems to me that if I want to use the 32GB SSD as a cache, I would need to set the SATA controller to RAID. On the other hand, Samsung recommends using AHCI for optimum performance of the 250GB SSD drive and the RAPID mode available with Samsung Magician only works with AHCI.

I also read that RAID offers similar performance as AHCI for a single drive and that it can improve performance when using two drives as RAID 0.

I see 3 options:

1- Select AHCI, use the 250GB SSD in RAPID mode and leave the 2TB hard drive as a regular HD. The 32GB SSD would not be useful, it is too small as a standalone drive. This may be the simpler option.

2- Select RAID, use the 250GB SSD without the RAPID mode and use the 2TB hard drive as a RAID 0 with the 32GB SSD so that it works as a cache. This could have the advantage of speeding up the 2TB HD but I am worried it could slow down the system drive as compared to option 1.

3- Select RAID, use the 250GB SSD as a RAID 0 with the 32GB SSD and use the 2TB hard drive as a regular hard drive. The system drive could be faster than in option 1.

Can anyone tell me what option would be best?

 

[drtweak]

Well first off 1) There is no RAID in casheing. If you RAID 0 those drives with that 32GB SSD you will only get a 64GB drive in the end lol so yea DON"T RAID 0. You have to install the Intel software and tell it to use it as a CASHE in the software. You do not setup any kind of RAID.

2) If it was me i would just go with 1 and dump the SSD Cashe. That is just my opinion, but even if you use keep it, you can still turn on RAPID mode on the SSD. I had a client who i moved over a RAID 1 to a SSD and i couldn't get it to let me to back to AHCI even after doing all the regedits and it enabled RAPID mode. They were getting their SSD Speeds like normal.

 

[sssanti]

Thanks for clarifying. I misunderstood how RAID 0 works. It would only make sense with two SSD with the same size.
I guess my real options are:

1- Select AHCI, use the 250GB SSD in RAPID mode and leave the 2TB hard drive as a regular HD. The 32GB SSD would not be useful, it is too small as a standalone drive.

2- Select RAID, use the 250GB SSD without the RAPID mode and use the 2TB hard drive with the 32GB SSD as a cache. This could have the advantage of speeding up the 2TB HD but could slow down the system drive as compared to option 1.

Well first off 1) There is no RAID in casheing. If you RAID 0 those drives with that 32GB SSD you will only get a 64GB drive in the end lol so yea DON"T RAID 0. You have to install the Intel software and tell it to use it as a CASHE in the software. You do not setup any kind of RAID.

2) If it was me i would just go with 1 and dump the SSD Cashe. That is just my opinion, but even if you use keep it, you can still turn on RAPID mode on the SSD. I had a client who i moved over a RAID 1 to a SSD and i couldn't get it to let me to back to AHCI even after doing all the regedits and it enabled RAPID mode. They were getting their SSD Speeds like normal.

 

[drtweak]

Well like i said i had a client with the Samsung 850 EVO set to RAID on the PC and i was able to enable everything just fine and when i did a test before enabling it i was getting the max of SATA II speeds. Then settings up Over Provisioning i was getting SATA III Speeds. Then once I enabled RAPID mode it was shooting to the outrageous weird number RAPID mode gives you haha. Honestly though I don't think having the SSD Cashe on the 2TB is a huge deal. Sell the 32GB to someone who would use it or get a USB adapter for it and use it as a portable SSD lol