11
6
I have ordered a OCZ SSD and it will be the first that I have installed. In prepping for it's arrival and install, I reviewed MSI web site to be sure I do as much right the first time as possible. On their site MSI HQ Usere to user faq they note the following:
AHCI and SSDs
Typically, many hardware review sites, as well as SSD manufacturers are recommending that AHCI mode is used with SSD drives. However, we have run our own tests here in the forum, and we believe this is misleading, only where SSD drives are used independently (ie not in a RAID array).
AHCI mode as previously explained enables NCQ (native command queuing) which is really not required for SSDs as they do not need optimizing in this way as there is no physical movement of heads or platters. In many cases, it can actually hinder SSD performance, and even reduce the lifetime of your SSD.
In many of the answered questions and directions here on SU, enabling AHCI has been strongly implied. My goal is to set the drive up for max performance and longest life. This MSI statement has moved me to inquire with you.
So the question is, use AHCI or not and why?
I have a MSI 790FX-GD90, 4 GB ram, running windows home premium 64.
EDIT: I should add that If this all goes well, I intend on getting a second SSD for RAID setup.
3I would have imagined NCQ benefits SSDs, as SSDs have multiple NANDs - if a NAND holding certain LBAs is being erased or written, a different NAND containing different LBAs could be read from, and I would have thought NCQ would be beneficial in allowing the SSD to return the second LBA first. Isn't that what NCQ does? Not terribly sure though. – LawrenceC – 2012-08-25T17:11:31.767
I have some invetigating to do and good points. I have yet to look at OCZ or other independent results/tests yet based on MSI's observations. – Carl B – 2012-08-26T03:22:22.463
3I get the distinct feeling whoever wrote that FAQ is just blindly quoting wikipedia without any understanding. ultrasawblade's description of the value of NCQ for SSDs is spot on. In fact, NCQ makes a much bigger difference for SSDs than it ever did for hard drives. – Mr Alpha – 2012-08-26T15:37:53.103
@Mr Alpha good note. The one part I did notice in the first part of the quote is "SSD drives are used independently (ie not in a RAID array)." So might this be more focused on running SSDs in Raid? – Carl B – 2012-08-27T21:25:53.220
@CarlB The value of NCQ is irrespective of whether the drives are in a RAID or not. But if you are going to RAID the drives the question is moot. RAID mode is AHCI mode with the RAID capabilities tacked on top. – Mr Alpha – 2012-08-28T09:13:43.507