To set up AHCI or Raid for the sSata controller.

With time to kill, still waiting for the replacement Motherboard ( now in week 5! ).

It seems I have a choice to make.
Previously I set the sytem up as follows
1. PCIe - UEFI ssd To boot from Intel 400GB PCIe 750 SSD to run Win 10 and programs and current shoot to edit.
2. Sata - AHCI to run two Samsung Evo 850s , and I also connected the old laptop's Toshiba 500GB Sata HDD.

It all worked.

The PCIe config is set in stone, as it needs to be Boot: UEFI and set as EFI. - so that is sorted.

When you set up the Sata Contoller there is a choice IDE, AHCI OR RAID ( default AHCI ).

Having now bought one 4TB HGST 7,200 HDD to archive off old stuff, it seemed a cheap option to buy another and copy the archive. And also a secure copy for the safe on USB 3.0 WD 2TB Passport drives.

So I thought OK why not Raid 1 those 2.
I specifically do not want the SSDs mirrored, cant afford that luxury and need the storage.

Looking at the MB it has 4x SATA connectors and a further 4x sSATA connectors.
In the BIOS it looks like you can set up the SATA and sSATA controllers separately. Of course as this is complicated SM have sod all explanation of what is happening.

Weirdly the MB Diagram only shows the SATA connectors? Go figure that. They are described in the manaual and sure as hell are physically there. .?

Q1. Is it true if you set the system up as AHCI you cannot then switch to RAID without either reloading the OS or fiddling in the registry? ( I wont do that - too little knowledge ).

Q2. Does it sound logical that I am correct that I could set the SATA controller as AHCI for the Sammy SSDs and the sSATA controller for RAID 1.?

[I am not sure, as the Block Diagram doesnt show these other 4 sSATA connections or the respective controller]

Q3. If you can set the controllers up seperately (and there are in fact 2?), If I set the sSATA to RAID, Could I attach just one drive to the sSATA connection?.
- My thoughts being, get one of these drives, and see if they are OK i.e. Not too noisy etc. Didnt really want to buy 2 without seeing what they are like.
- Neither do I want to set the first one up as AHCI, and then buy another and have to reinstall the OS again

Q4. Is it true that AHCI is a superset of RAID.? I am assuming if the Bios offers one the chance of setting up RAID it will be using the MBs Raid controller ( on the C612 PCH chipset?) ? i.e. Not relying on me going out and buying a seperate Raid controller card?

BTW I am not overthinking this - really trying to learn and understand my kit
So any explanation advice will be much appreciated.

Hopefully this ground work will avoid uneccessary work and speed up the time to get this dam system operational.

Could you share your motherboard's model?

Q1. Ideally, you want to set your SATA mode to RAID before installing Windows. But yes, you can change from AHCI to RAID without reloading the OS. There are some risks however. So set up a restore point before you do anything. Anyhow, editing the registry is probably the easier path, but if you don't want to do that, then you will have to set your computer to restart in Safe Mode. Then go to your BIOS and change AHCI to RAID. Apply the changes you made to your BIOS setting, and your computer will restart into Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, check your Device Manager to see if you have the RAID controller listed. If not, then you would need to download and install the latest RAID driver.

Q2. Depends on your motherboard and the included chipset. Some motherboard has two controllers, Intel and something else. On my old Asus Sabertooth, I have an Intel controller as well as a Marvell controller. I could enable the Marvell controller and set it to different mode: AHCI, RAID, IDE, etc, regardless of what I set for my Intel Controller. So, it would help to know what your motherboard is

Q3. That is fine. You can set the controller to be in RAID mode, but you don't have to set up a RAID array.

Q4. You have it backward. AHCI is a subset of RAID. If you BIOS offers RAID as one of the options for SATA, then the on-board controller has that feature. C612 PCH chipset does offer RAID.

Oye, yet another thread on your computer build. You really need to finish this thing.


Why add the complexity of RAID? Do you need immediate data recovery in case of a disk failure, is this time critical data? Otherwise save the headache and just maintain a good backup in your safe. Keep in mind that other than having an immediate recovery after a disk failure your not gaining much with RAID 1. If you get a virus, ransomware, ect. it will instantly effect the backup disk also. A back up is much better served in a disconnected, regularly backed up solution. Also, the raid solution, especially RAID 1 doubles your cost for a given storage volume. Since you consistently claim to have a tight budget on this why spend twice as much for the same amount of storage?

AHCI with a single SSD for your OS SSD.

You're making this far more complicated than it needs to be. All the extra cost and effort you've gone to might get you 10 - 20% more speed in some areas, at best. If you'd saved that money and upgraded the computer in 2-3 years your average performance would've been higher.

http://en.lmgtfy.com …annot+then+swit​ch+to+RAID

cuongduong wrote in post #17970424
Could you share your motherboard's model?

Q1. Ideally, you want to set your SATA mode to RAID before installing Windows. But yes, you can change from AHCI to RAID without reloading the OS. There are some risks however. So set up a restore point before you do anything. Anyhow, editing the registry is probably the easier path, but if you don't want to do that, then you will have to set your computer to restart in Safe Mode. Then go to your BIOS and change AHCI to RAID. Apply the changes you made to your BIOS setting, and your computer will restart into Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, check your Device Manager to see if you have the RAID controller listed. If not, then you would need to download and install the latest RAID driver.

Q2. Depends on your motherboard and the included chipset. Some motherboard has two controllers, Intel and something else. On my old Asus Sabertooth, I have an Intel controller as well as a Marvell controller. I could enable the Marvell controller and set it to different mode: AHCI, RAID, IDE, etc, regardless of what I set for my Intel Controller. So, it would help to know what your motherboard is

Q3. That is fine. You can set the controller to be in RAID mode, but you don't have to set up a RAID array.

Q4. You have it backward. AHCI is a subset of RAID. If you BIOS offers RAID as one of the options for SATA, then the on-board controller has that feature. C612 PCH chipset does offer RAID.

The MB is a Supermicro X10SRA
And thanks for the detailed explanation. Appreciated!

silvrr wrote in post #17970678
Oye, yet another thread on your computer build. You really need to finish this thing.


Why add the complexity of RAID? Do you need immediate data recovery in case of a disk failure, is this time critical data? Otherwise save the headache and just maintain a good backup in your safe. Keep in mind that other than having an immediate recovery after a disk failure your not gaining much with RAID 1. If you get a virus, ransomware, ect. it will instantly effect the backup disk also. A back up is much better served in a disconnected, regularly backed up solution. Also, the raid solution, especially RAID 1 doubles your cost for a given storage volume. Since you consistently claim to have a tight budget on this why spend twice as much for the same amount of storage?

I certainly do, but did you read the part where I explained I am waiting for a Motherboard replacement?
A fairly strategic part No?

My thoughts on Raid was purely as a simple back up.
But your point ref viruses - completely put me off that as a vehicle. The off line storage will be the way for me to go.

tim wrote in post #17970739
AHCI with a single SSD for your OS SSD.

You're making this far more complicated than it needs to be. All the extra cost and effort you've gone to might get you 10 - 20% more speed in some areas, at best. If you'd saved that money and upgraded the computer in 2-3 years your average performance would've been higher.

I wasn't doing this for speed, purely conenience of having 2 copies kept automatically in sync.
But the virus issue negates this as a viable solution for me.

As for cost this route was cheaper than 2x 2TB WD Passports. And probably quicker to back up.

Shaymus wrote in post #17971578
http://en.lmgtfy.com …annot+then+swit​ch+to+RAID

Thanks