Using SSD and HDD together

[Angel23]

Hi, i just installed my SSD along with my HDD. I have them running on one pc. One to boot windows and the other for storage. Everything is working fine so far. I just wanted some advice on anything i should do to make sure i get the full potential of the SSD. Should i be using AHCI or Raid if that's possible or leave IDE? Anything i should consider to fully utilize both drives with it's max potential and use up its full lifespan.

Thank You.

 

[andy_Man]

You want to be using AHCI.

IDE is older and slower with less features.
Raid is for pairing similar (usually identical hard drives) for extra performance or mirrors of eachother, etc.

 

[Angel23]

You want to be using AHCI.

IDE is older and slower with less features.
Raid is for pairing similar (usually identical hard drives) for extra performance or mirrors of eachother, etc.

I am having trouble installing the AHCI driver. I have a gigabyte AM3+ series motherboard. Any suggestions what i should do to install the AHCI driver successfully? I went to the bios setting but i don't see a setiup of AHCI for the SSD.

 

[smorizio]

you want your sata ports set to achi mode not ide or raid. raid used only for people that cant lose data. ide is used for older os. ssd have a set life of writes. there are a few ssd help guys online on turning windows items off and on if you use a ssd. the biggest thing is dont defrag the drive. most ssd have there own disk clean up and wear leveling. with two drive set up..set your downloads to the data drive and install your aps and games that you wont use daily. with the ssd dont fill it up to full if you do your ssd will slow down so it can wear level and do disk clean up. ssd do have one bad side..when they fail they brick. a hard disk sometime you can hear it when it starts to fail. use the ssd or hdtune and once and a while read the smart info of the ssd to make sure it healthy.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2110095/the-ultimate-guide-to-proper-ssd-management.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/1813-63-tomshardware
http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-and-ssds-setup-secrets-and-tune-up-tweaks/

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... " If it ain't broken ... Don't try to fix it! "
if you change your BIO's to AHCI now, your drive will not BOOT... You must install the AHCI MB driver first before installing Windows and Programs... IDE will do just fine... and recommend you to not worry about it at this point and time.

 

[cin19]

You are better to use either ahci mode for SSD. Check the link for How to: Change SATA Modes After Windows Installation http://www.overclock.net/t/1227636/how-to-change-sata-modes-after-windows-installation
How about tweak the SSD, more info about it. http://www.thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-ultimate-windows-8-edition/

 

[sincreator]

You can edit the windows registry to enable AHCI, but you have to change the option in the bios as well when you reboot. Here's how: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=313676 This is assuming you have Windows 7.

 

[Angel23]

Hello... " If it ain't broken ... Don't try to fix it! "
if you change your BIO's to AHCI now, your drive will not BOOT... You must install the AHCI MB driver first before installing Windows and Programs... IDE will do just fine... and recommend you to not worry about it at this point and time.

Thanks for the advice. Rookie mistake. The thing is, my internet speed are slower which i was considering it.

 

[Angel23]

You can edit the windows registry to enable AHCI, but you have to change the option in the bios as well when you reboot. Here's how: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=313676 This is assuming you have Windows 7.

Great thanks. Yes i have Windows 7 Ultimate.

 

[Solandri]

AHCI mode enables NCQ - native command queuing which allows the drive to process multiple read/write requests simultaneously. Here's the crystaldiskmark for a 250GB EVO 840 SSD.

http://www.custompcreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/crystal-disk-mark-samsung-840-evo-250gb-msata-ssd-custom-pc-review.jpg

See that 4k speed? Now compare it to the 4k QD32 speed. That's what NCQ gets you (QD32 = queue depth of 32, meaning the drive is processing 32 4k read/write requests simultaneously). You definitely want it enabled if you have a SSD, and the only way to enable it is to be in AHCI mode. You don't have to take care of it immediately, but it's something you should definitely do when you have some time.