Utilizing Smart Response Technology

[Raynadon]

I got an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO towards the end of last year, and am looking into getting a 60GB SSD cache drive. Since I may have to reinstall Windows to set RAID mode anyway (unless the process described at http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1587/4/ works), I'm thinking about getting a second SSD at around 120GB for Windows and a few games. My Steam folder alone is over 600GB, so I can't just put that on an SSD.

Having a HDD, SSD for Windows, and another SSD for caching should work fine, right? Does it even make sense to get the second SSD for Windows if I'm going to get caching set up? I know between choosing one or the other, putting Windows and commonly used applications on the SSD would be better, but at least with caching, I would get some benefit with Steam.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Dereck47]

Having a HDD, SSD for Windows, and another SSD for caching should work fine, right?

No. With Intel SRT your O/S has to be on your HDD. The purpose of caching is to give SSD-like performance to a HDD.
There are no benefits gained from using a SSD to cache a SSD.

If you get a 120GB SSD then use that as your O/S. There's a way to use Steam on another drive using "Junctions".
See Post #6 of this link: http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1097115-Why-can-t-I-install-Steam-on-my-HDD-instead-of-SSD?p=15932391&viewfull=1#post15932391

 

[Raynadon]

No. With Intel SRT your O/S has to be on your HDD. The purpose of caching is to give SSD-like performance to a HDD.
There are no benefits gained from using a SSD to cache a SSD.

If you get a 120GB SSD then use that as your O/S. There's a way to use Steam on another drive using "Junctions".
See Post #6 of this link: http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1097115-Why-can-t-I-install-Steam-on-my-HDD-instead-of-SSD?p=15932391&viewfull=1#post15932391

I read that you can have an SSD, HDD, and an SSD Cache specifically for the HDD - is that not true? So it would be using a boot SSD, and an SSD to cache everything else on the HDD.

Interesting, thanks for the link, that sounds like a good option, too.

 

[Dereck47]

I read that you can have an SSD, HDD, and an SSD Cache specifically for the HDD - is that not true? So it would be using a boot SSD, and an SSD to cache everything else on the HDD.

Intel's SRT User Guide requires that the O/S be installed on the HDD in order to use SRT.
It's possible there's some kind of work-around; I haven't heard about it. You'll have to do some additional research to find out how to do it.

 

[adampower]

imho one 128gb ssd for boot disk and major programs should be enough.

Caching your data/storage/boot drive is much less effective. You would then have a 128gb drive for steam/etc. Ultimately you could pool the money from those two drives and buy a 256gb m4 or something and toss the spinning storage drive in a separate enclosure. That's the real deal!

 

[Raynadon]

imho one 128gb ssd for boot disk and major programs should be enough.

Caching your data/storage/boot drive is much less effective. You would then have a 128gb drive for steam/etc. Ultimately you could pool the money from those two drives and buy a 256gb m4 or something and toss the spinning storage drive in a separate enclosure. That's the real deal!

I canceled my order for the 60GB cache SSD (wouldn't have shipped for 1-3 weeks anyway), I'm thinking doing this, using junctions in the above link, with a 200ish GB SSD sounds like a better option. Thanks!

Now to decide on the SSD, haha.
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2-5-Inch-Solid-State-CT256M4SSD2/dp/B004W2JL2A/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1340410737&sr=1-1
And
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006EKJCWM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

look like the top options right now.

 

[Raynadon]

Intel's SRT User Guide requires that the O/S be installed on the HDD in order to use SRT.
It's possible there's some kind of work-around; I haven't heard about it. You'll have to do some additional research to find out how to do it.

It sounds like I'm better off just getting one bigger SSD and making use of junctions, I think I'll go that route. Thanks!

 

[adampower]

go to ncix.com right now and the sandisk extreme 128 is $99

 

[adampower]

However, I'm not sure I could tell the difference in the real world. Therefore, 256gb for $205? great. The m4 might not have the s2281 benchmark performance but, let's face it, fast is fast.

 

[adampower]

Now the 256gb sandisk extreme is on the 'weekend' sale for $199 $0.78/GB for s2281 and toggle nand. hmmmm

http://ncix.com/promo/subpromosale.php?webid=1382