Install OS on SSD and Smart Response question

[red454]

I am new to the SSD world and just bought a Corsair Force GT 120GB for a new build. Also got a 1TB spindle drive and an ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z - Z68 motherboard.

I understand the functionality basics on the Intel Smart Response (SRT), but... Can I install Windows 7 on the SSD and take advantage of SRT at the same time?

 

[GotNoRice]

Yes you can, kind of.

By far, the easiest solution would be to install Windows onto your mechanical drive and then setup caching with your SSD once you are in windows. (Set your Intel Controller to RAID in the bios FIRST, and make sure your mechanical drive and NOT your SSD is #1 in the boot order) Your OS will benefit from the SSD via caching just like everything else, and you end up with SSD performance anyway. Whatever space is leftover that you didn't use as cache will be available to use directly.

The thing that makes it difficult to install an OS onto the same SSD that you are using for caching is the cache initialization process. It gets rid of all partitions and then creates a hidden 20-64gb cache partition that is not visible to the OS. After that, you can use the remaining space for whatever you wish. The problem is that it wipes all existing data during this process and it won't even give you the option to enable acceleration if there is a system volume on the drive.

There is one workaround that I know of, and it is a bit ghetto.

Install windows (temporarily) onto your mechanical drive. (again, make sure Intel SATA controller is set to RAID in bios and that your mechanical drive is #1 in boot order before you begin).
Once in Windows, install SRT and click the Acceleration button within the program to enable SSD caching, set a value between 20-64GB.
Reboot and press CTRL+I to verify that SSD caching is configured.
Disconnect the mechanical drive you temporarily installed windows on.
Boot from the windows 7 install media and install onto the unpartitioned space of the SSD (this should be your SSDs capacity minus the value you assigned for cache). It might require you to install SATA drivers via USB memory stick.
After you have installed windows onto the data portion of your SSD, shut down and reconnect your mechanical drive. This time make sure your SSD is #1 in the boot order.
Boot into windows and the Accelerate button should be available now, and allow you to accelerate your mechanical drive using the caching partition you created during the previous, temporary install.

Unfortunately that is really the only way I know of to make it work. It's a lot simpler to just install onto the mechanical drive and let your SSD cache your OS as needed, and you're not really losing anything by doing so.

 

[red454]

Yes you can, kind of.

By far, the easiest solution would be to install Windows onto your mechanical drive and then setup caching with your SSD once you are in windows. (Set your Intel Controller to RAID in the bios FIRST, and make sure your mechanical drive and NOT your SSD is #1 in the boot order) Your OS will benefit from the SSD via caching just like everything else, and you end up with SSD performance anyway. Whatever space is leftover that you didn't use as cache will be available to use directly.

The thing that makes it difficult to install an OS onto the same SSD that you are using for caching is the cache initialization process. It gets rid of all partitions and then creates a hidden 20-64gb cache partition that is not visible to the OS. After that, you can use the remaining space for whatever you wish. The problem is that it wipes all existing data during this process and it won't even give you the option to enable acceleration if there is a system volume on the drive.

There is one workaround that I know of, and it is a bit ghetto.

Install windows (temporarily) onto your mechanical drive. (again, make sure Intel SATA controller is set to RAID in bios and that your mechanical drive is #1 in boot order before you begin).
Once in Windows, install SRT and click the Acceleration button within the program to enable SSD caching, set a value between 20-64GB.
Reboot and press CTRL+I to verify that SSD caching is configured.
Disconnect the mechanical drive you temporarily installed windows on.
Boot from the windows 7 install media and install onto the unpartitioned space of the SSD (this should be your SSDs capacity minus the value you assigned for cache). It might require you to install SATA drivers via USB memory stick.
After you have installed windows onto the data portion of your SSD, shut down and reconnect your mechanical drive. This time make sure your SSD is #1 in the boot order.
Boot into windows and the Accelerate button should be available now, and allow you to accelerate your mechanical drive using the caching partition you created during the previous, temporary install.

Unfortunately that is really the only way I know of to make it work. It's a lot simpler to just install onto the mechanical drive and let your SSD cache your OS as needed, and you're not really losing anything by doing so.

Ah - great, thanks - that is the info I was looking for. I searched the forum and didn't really see anyone talking about it. Wondered if I was missing something.

Sounds like the lesser evil is to put the OS on the spindle drive and let SRT do it's thing.

 

[MobiusPizza]

Ah - great, thanks - that is the info I was looking for. I searched the forum and didn't really see anyone talking about it. Wondered if I was missing something.

Sounds like the lesser evil is to put the OS on the spindle drive and let SRT do it's thing.

Well, the performance of that won't be as good as having OS installed on SSD, or any program you would have otherwise install ont he SSD directly.
To install OS on SSD and have part of the SSD as SRT cache for the HDD, it is not impossible but very cumbersome:

Please read http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2172381

 

[bryanW1995]

I just read that other thread, and the post by gotnorice here explains it more clearly imho. I set up my z68 system yesterday and have installed the os on my of my spindle drives already, but I'm going to finish OC testing before I finish the OS + SRT combo on ssd.

 

[martixy]

What a coincidence. Just yesterday I asked the exact same question.

I was bummed when no one responded for more than a day, but I did see this thread so it all worked out I guess.

After further reading though:
Does that kind of setup mean that you would have to do without TRIM? That's the impression I got. SRT is shaping up to be real pain in the butt technology with lots of show and no real go...

 

[red454]

Well, after having my system running for roughly a month, I have to say the speed is amazing to me.

The SRT really works. I still have the OS on the spindle drive, but the overall speed is just fine - particularly with the moderate overclock. I use sleep mode most of the time, only shutting it completely down a couple times a week, so start up times are not an issue.

Everything I use regularly loads in no more than 2 seconds.

Will I want more speed at some point? Perhaps, but my old system was soooo sloooow that I am totally satisfied for now with my new system.

I got a 32gb USB 3.0 Corsair flash drive, and that has me spoiled too.

 

[martixy]

I'm still more into the boot + cache idea.
That way I get pure SSD performance for the OS and productivity software and near SSD-speeds for any software or games I regularly use.

 

[bryanW1995]

The issue is that if you already have an ssd, it is nearly impossible to go back down to a spindle drive for the OS + common apps. If you're coming from an older system just the basic SRT will seem like manna from heaven.

 

[red454]

Since SSD's keep increasing in size and decreasing in price, I can see migrating to one for the OS in a year or so...

 

[sd]

I'm preparing for a new build, and purchased a Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III. I was planning on putting the OS on this, should I not do that?

 

[bryanW1995]

Yes. And if you have a z68 mobo you should enable the SRT cache on the same drive.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

Using a top of the line SSD for SRT, especially one as big as 120GB, is a waste, IMO. With 120GB you have enough room for *tons* of stuff on the thing. I understand wanting to speed up your whole 1TB drive, but use a lesser SSD for it.

 

[bryanW1995]

I don't think it's a waste at all. It's a real PITA having a small ssd + large storage drive. I got my x25m 80gb g2 2 years ago. I know that's not as big as the OP's ssd, but 2 years ago 80gb was considered pretty decent-sized. Trust me, it's not, and even 120gb isn't that much space. I'd say that 120gb (more like 112 gb usable) would start to run out of space VERY quickly. However, that large of a drive would allow you to set up either a 64gb cache + 48gb or so for the OS if all you do is game, or 18.6gb cache + ~ 93gb or so for the OS + critical programs. Either way, you get nearly ssd-speed out of your massive storage drive.

BTW, I ran an i7 920@4.0 for 2 years with the 80gb ssd boot drive + various iterations of large storage drives (most recently a 2tb wd20ears). It was a bit of a hassle setting up the OS + ssd cache on the same disk, probably anywhere between a 2-4 hour job depending upon your reading comprehension skillz and familiarity with raid, but my computer user experience has improved dramatically. In fact, I'm so happy with the setup now that I gave the 160gb intel ssd I bought on BF to my wife for her lappy.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

A 120GB SSD would only fill up fast if you installed a bunch of games on it. I had a 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD in my development workstation at work... databases, full codebase, all apps, etc. and it never got close to full. I have the same in my home computer now, and it isn't close to full. Of course, I install Steam to my D: drive. If I was a more serious gamer I would mess with junction points or whatever they are called to switch my active game over to the SSD. But I would never put my whole Steam folder on the SSD.

If I didn't have the money for a 120GB SSD then I would have probably bought a 64GB one and done SRT. My only point was buying a top-of-the-line SSD and using it for SSD is a waste. Agility 3, Solid 3, Kingston V+100... something along those lines, yes, perfect for SRT. Vertex 3, Intel, M4... it's like putting high octane gas in a Civic. Again, just my opinion.