Trim with Intel RST 11.2/11.5 and RAID 0? Update: Trying 11.5 RST with 11.5.x.x OROM

[Coup27]

According to Fernando, even if I flash to 3904 with OROM 11.15.0.1582 TRIM will still not work in RAID? If this is the case, then theres no point in me flashing?

 

[garikfox]

TRIM is indeed working for RAID under Win8 with OROM 11.5.0.1582 and 11.5.0.1207 driver. (Driver Release Notes says it is working under "Resolved Issues")

Theres still no clear answer on Win7 though

 

[Fernando 1]

According to Fernando, even if I flash to 3904 with OROM 11.15.0.1582 TRIM will still not work in RAID?

Yes, Trim will not work in the RAID array with this ROM version, unless your mainboard has an Intel 7-series chipset.

If this is the case, then theres no point in me flashing?

Maybe the next version of Intel's RAID drivers will support Trim in the RAID even for Intel 6-series chipset systems. Who knows?

TRIM is indeed working for RAID under Win8 with OROM 11.5.0.1582 and 11.5.0.1207 driver. (Driver Release Notes says it is working under "Resolved Issues")

The question remains unanswered by Intel: Which Intel chipsets resp. SATA RAID Controllers are supported by this new feature "TRIM for RAID array"?

 

[garikfox]

Hi Fernando

Did you run tests on Win7 or Win8 ?

The Release Notes do say its working for Win8 but it doesnt say anything about Win7

 

[garikfox]

(oops sorry double post)

 

[Engineer]

Hi Fernando

Did you run tests on Win7 or Win8 ?

The Release Notes do say its working for Win8 but it doesnt say anything about Win7

Edit: See Fernando's post below.

I have read Fernando's posts and from what I can tell, he has tested both Windows 7 and Windows 8. Yes, TRIM "seems to be working" on both on the 77 series of Intel chipset boards.

 

[Fernando 1]

Hi Fernando
Did you run tests on Win7 or Win8 ?

I ran tests on Win7 x64 and Win8 x64 with both Z68 and Z77 RAID0 systems (2x128 GB Crucial M4 SSDs).
The only things I changed were the mainboards + CPU. Both systems used the IRST(e) drivers v11.5.0.1207 and had a similar Intel RAID ROM version (at first: v11.5.0.1414, later: v11.5.0.1582).
Result:
Trim worked within the Z77 chipset RAID array under Win7 and Win8, whereas it didn't work with the Z68 chipset RAID system, neither with Win7 nor with Win8.

EDIT:
@ Engineer:
Can you please update the title of this thread? It is a little bit misleading. Alternatively one of the MODs may split this thread and give the last part a new title.

 

[Coup27]

 

[garikfox]

Fernando,

Interesting, The Z77 does have a different Device ID (8086_282a), Interesting that the Z68 (8086_2822) wouldnt offer the TRIM as the 8086_2822 is alot more wide spread.

 

[Fernando 1]

The Z77 does have a different Device ID (8086_282a), Interesting that the Z68 (8086_2822) wouldnt offer the TRIM as the 8086_2822 is alot more wide spread.

No, the Device ID's of the SATA RAID Controllers of both desktop chipsets Z68 and Z77 are the same (DEV_2822). DEV_282a is the Device ID of the Mobile Express Chipset SATA RAID Controller.
You are right regarding this point: When you open the BIOS file of an ASUS Z77 mainboard and search for the Intel RAID ROM, you see in the Link ID box "8086,282a", whereas you will find there "8086,2822", if you open an ASUS Z68 BIOS. This is just a typo done by ASUS and doesn't have any impact on the BIOS itself. As you know, both Device ID's 2822 and 282a need exactly the same RAID ROM module.

 

[garikfox]

Ill compare my findings with a ASRock Z77 BIOS

 

[garikfox]

Fernando,

The device ID is indeed 8086_282a for Z77

I opened a ASRock Z77 BIOS and its only showing 8086_282a

 

[Fernando 1]

@ Garikfox:
Believe me, DEV_282a is the correct Device ID for Laptop RAID Controllers and not for Desktop systems with an Intel or ASRock Z77 chipset mainboard. The only reason for that wrong Device ID within the Link ID box is the lazyness of the mainboard manufacturer while building the BIOS files.
You can replace the Intel RAID ROM module by whatever you want - when you reopen the BIOS, you will see the same Vendor and Device ID like before.

 

[garikfox]

Well I know for a fact that the RAID OROM's will work for both 2822 and 282a

I know for a fact all Z77 chipsets are indeed "282a" (at least MMtool says this)

I think I read somewhere that it said that the Z77 is really a mobile chipset

 

[Fernando 1]

@ garikfox:
Here is a screenshot with the HardwareIDs of my Z77 Intel SATA RAID Controller:

 

[garikfox]

Thats bizarre, ok lol, I guess it is a 2822

(Ill go sit and face the corner, lol)

 

[Coup27]

I wonder how much of a real deal this will be to me. I really do not want to throw away my pefectly good SB setup and I don't think I'll find a buyer for my parts either.

I presume I could use the hex editior method described above to see how long it takes for GC to erase the file after I have deleted it?

Have either of you two done any testing like that before I try it?

 

[Fernando 1]

I wonder how much of a real deal this will be to me. I really do not want to throw away my pefectly good SB setup and I don't think I'll find a buyer for my parts either.

This is what I suggest for you: Let everything regarding the RAID ROM and the RAID drivers as it is and wait some weeks. Intel is not ready with its work regarding TRIM support within the RAID. Maybe you and other users with an 6-series RAID system will get a second chance by Intel.
Furthermore TRIM is not that important for SSD's, which have a good Garbage Collection.

I presume I could use the hex editior method described above to see how long it takes for GC to erase the file after I have deleted it?

That's not worth to do it.The Hex Editor method is only useful to test, if TRIM is working or not.

 

[piquadrat]

The thing one should consider is if the apparent lack of trim support in z68 platform is technical or maybe political related. Intel has really bad track record in this regard.

 

[Engineer]

Intel 11.5.2.1001 WHQL released.

http://www.station-drivers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3967&p=15282#p15282

 

[Engineer]

Here you go! :biggrin:

http://www.rwlabs.com/article.php?id=672

Still looks available only on 77 series chipsets. Hope Intel releases (or someone mods) for 6 series chipsets soon! :drool:

 

[el-Capitan]

Intel 11.5.2.1001 WHQL released.

http://www.station-drivers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3967&p=15282#p15282

Thanks for posting the link. I spent too much time on Intel's site trying to find an updated one. The last one posted there is from March....

 

[Engineer]

Reported on another forum that Intel released a statement stating the TRIM work for RAID 0 on 11.5 drivers and above. Also stated that 6 series chipsets are not supported!

(darn it).

 

[Engineer]

Press release: http://www.legitreviews.com/news/13881/

"Trim on RAID 0 for SSDs is supported in the Intel RST driver versions 11.0 and newer. Currently available for the general public on Intel’s downloads site is RST driver version 11.2.0.1006 which offers TRIM support on RAID 0 compatible with MS Windows 7 OS on Intel 7 series chipsets (earlier chipsets NOT supported). Intel is also working on a future release providing support for TRIM on RAID 0 on Microsoft Windows 8 OS for Intel 7 series chipsets." - Intel PR

 

[Nohr]

AnandTech - Intel Brings TRIM to RAID-0 SSD Arrays on 7-Series Motherboards, We Test It