P7P55D-E Deluxe SDD Config

[Dr J]

I'm currently running a pair of WD Raptors, in Raid. I'm thinking of upgrading to an SSD. On this board, there are two sata chipsets, Intell (3gb/s) and Marvel (6gb/s). My two WD Raptors are configured, in RAID, on the Intel chipset. I'm wondering if I can run an SSD (as the boot disk) on the Marvel (6gb/s) chipset and if so, can I simultaneously keep the Raptors, in Raid and on the Intel chipset, as a backup drives? And, if so, can I copy the Raptor raid array directly to the SSD, eliminating the need for a fresh install and thus having the boot drive software? I'm guessing I'm hoping for too much.

The first question is: will an SSD function as a boot disk on the Marvel chipset?

I tried posting on the Asus forum site, but it's not letting me in.

Any and all advice appreciated.

An update: I just downloaded HD Tune and tested my raid array, Raptor drives, got an average reading of 76 mb/s; shouldn't the score be at least twice as fast? I wasn't sure and so looked up the specs:

http://techreport.com/review/6390/we...ata-hard-drive

and apparently my results are 4mb/s faster than the Tech Report experience. Wow, this seems like very poor performance by today's standards.

From what I understand, my motherboard, the PCI speed is limited to 3 gb/s and so is the bottleneck where an SSD is concerned. Given my current performance, however, will I not see a big improvement going to an SSD?

 

[Unit'Igor]

Here it is.I have X58 and i tryed everything with Marvell port,even install ASMedia driver on it.I see you like Raid configuration,so if you not planing to upgrade in near future buy two SSDs(if you plan 256gb,buy 2 x 128gb)and put them in Raid,this is only way to see sata 6gb/s speeds,put them on Intel sata2 because only thing you will see from Marvell chip are low speeds.
Marvell is limited with his position on motherboard.Its connected with p55 chipset thrue 1 pci-e and that is 500mb/s,but you will see only 350mb/s or maybe 430mb/s if you overclock you pci-e line to 110mhz.
You can clone or migrate your windows from hdd to ssd.
I will post screenshot of AS-SSD with M4 on Marvell port if i knew how.
Is it possible to upload pictures from comp.

 

[Dr J]

Hello Igor and thanks for the response and information.

I haven't done so, myself, but I assume it's possible to upload a picture.

I'm not sure about another raid configuration, will likely just choose AHCI.

How, Igor, does one clone or migrate windows from hdd to ssd?

thanks,

John

 

[Unit'Igor]

I see you have WD HDD,you can download free software and clone with it
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119
make bootable cd and boot with it.After cloning disconnect HDDs so windows do not screw drive letters and system reserves.

 

[Dr J]

Thanks, Igor. If I'm not mistaken, however, the AHCI function has to be engaged for the new SSD, Samsung drive, before loading new programs; but, i need the RAID configuration for the WD drives and am not sure that the bios will allow for the two choices (will have the WD drives on Intell, Samsung SSD on Marvel, for cloning only). Am I mistaken about this?

Appreciate the help, thanks.

 

[Dr J]

I've downloaded the free cloning software from Western Digital, which requires WD drives installed. I have two Raptors in raid and a WD external drive and yet the program doesn't recognize them, cancels the installation. I tried contacting WD and their login function is not working. Wow, first step and already frustrated.

Are there any good alternatives?

thanks,

John