HDD VS HDD + SSD Cache (intel smart response) + Setup

lilpopjim

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Mar 7, 2011
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Hello!

Just quickly.. Will it be worth getting a 64GB or a 120GB SSD Cache for my system?

So i was thinking about SRT because cloning or reinstalling IS NOT an option for me. And SSD's are dirt cheap now. Can get a SanDisk 64GB for £40 so that's cool.

I can't really see any benchmarks online other than this YT video which is pretty hardcore with the music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwb3ibxw4xU

It looks pretty convincing as well.

Ignoring the above video will i see a huge difference + how long will it take for the caching to take effect because i could imagine it'll take a few days depending on usage for it to notice usage patterns? + would 64GB be enough for me? If i remember correctly 64gb was a good cache size comparing to anything higher.

+ Can i just wack a SSD Cache in without reinstalling? It wasn't very clear on Intels website.

So to setup i turn on raid on SATA, turn on SRT, boot into windows and configure within intels SRT software? I have 4 hard drives so wont turning on RAID fiddle with everything?

Oh and i have an i7 3770K and a Z77 Board (MSI Z77A-GD55)

Edit - Okay so according to Intels video about SRT.. You have to have a single hard drive or multiple Hard Drives in a Raid Volume.. Guess i can't do it then?!


 

popatim

Titan
Moderator
Intel caching can only use up to 64GB so anything after that would have to be partitioned, initialize, and assigned a drive letter to use.
Using caching would mean turning the sata ports to raid mode, depending on which mode its currently in - it could break windows booting and give you a blue screen. I suggest you try this before you buy as you may not want to deal with the hassles of forcing the change in the registry and drivers. If it blue screens change the sata setting back to whatever it was. If it doesnt then leave it in raid mode and order yourself up an SSD. :)
 

lilpopjim

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Mar 7, 2011
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Ah very nice reply. Thank you :) I'll give it a go! I'm not 100% sure it'll work though because all 4 drives are completely different from one another but ill give it a go in the morning and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!!