Ssd Caching on H77

[octane99]

I have a 120gb ssd and 2 terabyte hdd.
I want to configure rst with 60g + my 2tb and 60gb on os.

I've been reading but can't figure out. From what I can understand, I need to combine the 60gb and 2tb using raid 0, rite?

I am lost! I am using asrock's h77 pro4-m.

Any kind soul care to help?

Thanks.

 

[xonix]

First, please make sure you have the required hardware:

For a system to support Intel® Smart Response Technology it must have the following:

Intel® Z68/Z77/H77/Q77 Express Chipset-based desktop board
Intel® Core™ Processor in the LGA 1155 package
System BIOS with SATA mode set to RAID
Intel Rapid Storage Technology software 10.5 version release or later
Single hard disk drive or multiple drives in a single RAID volume
Solid-state drive (SSD) with a minimum capacity of 18.6GB
Operating system: Microsoft Windows Vista* (32-bit and 64-bit editions), Microsoft Windows 7* (32-bit and 64-bit editions)

Source: Chipset Software — Intel® Smart Response Technology User Guide

Secondly, if I recall correctly, officially you can only do for 1 HDD+1 SDD as cache. The SSD cannot be split up. Although, I have read that some were able to do it via unconventional methods but it is not guaranteed for every type of hardware config. If you want to spend your time figuring it out: http://beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=62297

For me, I would just forget about it and go straight for SSD(OS/Programs) + HDD(Everything Else)

 

[octane99]

First, please make sure you have the required hardware:

For a system to support Intel® Smart Response Technology it must have the following:

Intel® Z68/Z77/H77/Q77 Express Chipset-based desktop board
Intel® Core™ Processor in the LGA 1155 package
System BIOS with SATA mode set to RAID
Intel Rapid Storage Technology software 10.5 version release or later
Single hard disk drive or multiple drives in a single RAID volume
Solid-state drive (SSD) with a minimum capacity of 18.6GB
Operating system: Microsoft Windows Vista* (32-bit and 64-bit editions), Microsoft Windows 7* (32-bit and 64-bit editions)

Source: Chipset Software — Intel® Smart Response Technology User Guide

Secondly, if I recall correctly, officially you can only do for 1 HDD+1 SDD as cache. The SSD cannot be split up. Although, I have read that some were able to do it via unconventional methods but it is not guaranteed for every type of hardware config. If you want to spend your time figuring it out: Intel Smart Response cache + Windows on same SSD - Beyond3D Forum

For me, I would just forget about it and go straight for SSD(OS/Programs) + HDD(Everything Else)

The suggested read was already read while doing my research on how to go about doing it.
:
Here is what happened last night in my latest attempt:

• Reset every thing back to original state.
  
• Enter bios to switch on Raid
  
• bios reboot and enter bios based raid setup (Ctrl + I)
  
• here is where I was made to set raid array, I was given the option to set up to 228GB size of volume (either to 2 volumes or 1, the disks detected shows both my SSD and HDD in correct size)
  
• Set a 50% SSD volume (58GB)- intended to use for OS.
  
• Reboot and install OS (Win 7) - Found out that windows encountered some problems as my installation disc does not have SP1 thus got some raid driver problem, problem solved by downloading the raid driver from intel.
  
• After windows installed, install my MB drivers (Asrock H77 Pro4-M)
  
• Install latest IRST driver

here is the scary part.......

Attempts to configure the caching of my remaining portion of SSD and my 2 TB HDD are impossible!!!!
I can only form up another volume of about 180GB even when the iRST software can detect my 2TB.

At the rate I pull my hair for this I think I'll be bold by end of the week!!!!

Please Please Please HELP!!!

 

[FanFreak]

Your steps are all wrong.
Please read through these pages
Z68 - SRT cache and boot volume on a single SSD disk - it works! - AnandTech Forums

1. get a spare HDD
2. install OS on the this HDD(do not invoke any raid using control I)
3. install RST
4. select cache either as 18.6 or 64.
5. plug out this spare HDD
6. load up the windows disc again.
7. install RST driver from thumbdrive
8. select SSD as boot drive, now you will see the remaining space avaiable for your boot drive

Hope this helps.

 

[octane99]

ALAMAK....No wonder....I haven't heard about the spare HDD...

I got so frustrated last night so I just did a conventional install last night....but anyway, since its still new I can redo again...hehehe....

Just help me to clarify some questions below:

Your steps are all wrong.
Please read through these pages
Z68 - SRT cache and boot volume on a single SSD disk - it works! - AnandTech Forums

1. get a spare HDD
This hdd is not meant to be installed into the PC right??
2. install OS on the this HDD(do not invoke any raid using control I)
But the bios must switch on the raid already rite?
3. install RST
Do I invoke the raid from here?
4. select cache either as 18.6 or 64.
5. plug out this spare HDD
6. load up the windows disc again.
Into which volume? Is the raid already set up here?
7. install RST driver from thumbdrive
The same RST driver I use to install into the spare hdd?? the one I downloaded from intel website??
8. select SSD as boot drive, now you will see the remaining space avaiable for your boot drive

Hope this helps.

Thanks Dude!!!!!!!

 

[FanFreak]

1. get a spare HDD
This hdd is not meant to be installed into the PC right??
Correct, this hdd is not meant to have the OS.You can reformat out the OS later
2. install OS on the this HDD(do not invoke any raid using control I)
But the bios must switch on the raid already rite?
Correct, set the bios to raid but do not create any array.
all disks will be seen as ide/ahci
3. install RST
Do I invoke the raid from here?
no need
4. select cache either as 18.6 or 64.
5. plug out this spare HDD
6. load up the windows disc again.
Into which volume? Is the raid already set up here?
load up the windows os installer disc as if you are going for a new built.
if you do not install the drivers, the ssd will not be seen.
7. install RST driver from thumbdrive
The same RST driver I use to install into the spare hdd?? the one I downloaded from intel website??
Correct, those F6 drivers from intel
8. select SSD as boot drive, now you will see the remaining space avaiable for your boot drive

if you understand the pages correctly, what intel did with the caching function is that impicitly they are puting raid0 between HDD and SSD when you invoke the RST in the first step. therefore you do not need to create any raid array.

hope that this helps

 

[octane99]

Good. Finally I got instructions I can understand.

Will test it out and update.

1. get a spare HDD
This hdd is not meant to be installed into the PC right??
Correct, this hdd is not meant to have the OS.You can reformat out the OS later
2. install OS on the this HDD(do not invoke any raid using control I)
But the bios must switch on the raid already rite?
Correct, set the bios to raid but do not create any array.
all disks will be seen as ide/ahci
3. install RST
Do I invoke the raid from here?
no need
4. select cache either as 18.6 or 64.
5. plug out this spare HDD
6. load up the windows disc again.
Into which volume? Is the raid already set up here?
load up the windows os installer disc as if you are going for a new built.
if you do not install the drivers, the ssd will not be seen.
7. install RST driver from thumbdrive
The same RST driver I use to install into the spare hdd?? the one I downloaded from intel website??
Correct, those F6 drivers from intel
8. select SSD as boot drive, now you will see the remaining space avaiable for your boot drive

if you understand the pages correctly, what intel did with the caching function is that impicitly they are puting raid0 between HDD and SSD when you invoke the RST in the first step. therefore you do not need to create any raid array.

hope that this helps

 

[octane99]

Aiyah. Now I cannot find the driver to install windows into the ssd. Keep coming out with windows cannot install in drive error. What driver am I supposed to use?

 

[FanFreak]

Aiyah. Now I cannot find the driver to install windows into the ssd. Keep coming out with windows cannot install in drive error. What driver am I supposed to use?

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel%c2%ae+RST)

or else look for the driver in your motherboard website.

 

[octane99]

It seems weird.
Following the instructions, I can finally see the caching setup in the bios.
However upon removal of the spare achi hdd to install windows into the data volume of my ssd, windows setup cannot semi to detect the raid hdds. I tried installing whatever drivers I can get, but to no avail.

I tried several combos and managed to install windows into the ssd hdd via boot up from the spare hdd. But was greeted by the bsod and reboot loop when I switch back to raid (bios shows caching still intact) . Followed the regedit instructions to ammendment 3-0 on machine, pciide and instaV. But still dun work.

Really really frustrating and starting to wonder does it actually work?

I am not sure if the issue is also due to my silicone power v60 firmware. Shall test it later. But seriously considering to get the SanDisk ready cache if all else fails.

Any other suggestions for caching purposes. I am really interested as I am very afraid that my system would slow down once the 2tb gets populated.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel%c2%ae+RST)

or else look for the driver in your motherboard website.

 

[FanFreak]

It seems weird.
Following the instructions, I can finally see the caching setup in the bios.
However upon removal of the spare achi hdd to install windows into the data volume of my ssd, windows setup cannot semi to detect the raid hdds. I tried installing whatever drivers I can get, but to no avail.

I tried several combos and managed to install windows into the ssd hdd via boot up from the spare hdd. But was greeted by the bsod and reboot loop when I switch back to raid (bios shows caching still intact) . Followed the regedit instructions to ammendment 3-0 on machine, pciide and instaV. But still dun work.

Really really frustrating and starting to wonder does it actually work?

I am not sure if the issue is also due to my silicone power v60 firmware. Shall test it later. But seriously considering to get the SanDisk ready cache if all else fails.

Any other suggestions for caching purposes. I am really interested as I am very afraid that my system would slow down once the 2tb gets populated.

Please see the experience of this guy
"

Issues that I encountered: First of all, I originally installed the os on the extra spindle drive in ahci mode insted of raid mode. After I got through that, I tried the link from earlier in this thread (on page 4 or 5) to intel's RST drivers. Unfortunately, as mentioned later in the thread, intel no longer has the driver on their site. So I went to gigabyte's site and downloaded the raid drivers for my z68ma-d2h here. When I turned the computer off, disconnected the 640gb spindle drive, and rebooted with my win 7 disk, I was unable to get windows to recognize my driver off of my usb drive. Turns out, the driver is in an .exe format, and you have to extract the file onto your usb drive. Once I did that and restarted, everything else was great. Overall, it was a bit of a PITA, and my wife thinks I'm insane, but getting ssd-like performance (sometimes) out of my 2 tb drive while keeping the same ssd performance for my OS/browser was just too enticing to pass up!

Please make sure that you are getting the correct drivers and that the windows installer can recognise the drivers.

 

[octane99]

Looking at it...... Could it be because my spare windows installation is using a legacy Sata achi port and not an Intel raid port? I use the legacy port because the remaining intel ports are Sata 2. The board only comes with 2 sata3 ports for intel.

 

[FanFreak]

Correct, the intel SRT only work on its own controller. it will not work on marvell or JMicron or other legacy controller.