Marvell SATA 3 Vs Intel SATA 2 X58 Motherboard

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therealbigsteve

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Jan 6, 2014
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Okay, so I just got a SSD for my build after over three years of owning it and I have a quick question for someone keen on this subject. The mobo is a GA-X58A-UD3R wth a Marvell SE9128 SATA 3 chip and an Intel ICH10R Southbridge for SATA 2. I use this system to play games. I installed the SSD on the Marvell ports and got pretty good numbers but I've read everywhere I should be using the Intel ports because they're faster. After using both and running benchmarks on both I'm not sure which one to stick with. The WEI scored it 7.9 for both ports. AHCI is on for both ports too. I used AS SSD and ATTO for benchmarks and I've included a pic....
 
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clutchc
If my choice was like yours, Intel SATA II or Marvel SATA III, yes. As long as there are no problems with the Marvel controller that you are experiencing.
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therealbigsteve

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Jan 6, 2014
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The Intel IS a SATA 2 port. I've read everywhere to use the Intel SATA 2 ports on my board due to the Marvell ports being allegedly slower. They don't look so bad during the benches...
 
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therealbigsteve

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Jan 6, 2014
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No. Oddly I've read them saying specifically the Intel SATA 2 ports are faster. They say to go by the 4K score for the real world performance. Does this sound right?
 
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srbarry

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Jan 16, 2010
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Steve,

Any update here? I also have the same motherboard and for years ran an intel x25 on the intel sata 2 ports cause I read all the same old posts as you that the Marvell ports were no good.

So I just picked up a samsung Evo 840 and I haven't had time to install it yet, but I was wondering if you still using the marvel ports? And if so, any advice on the install - did you have to do anything other than the standard stuff?

Maybe the latest bios or drivers have helped with the marvel ports? No idea here.

Thanks,

Steve (also)
 
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therealbigsteve

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Jan 6, 2014
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I've been using the Intel Controller. I heard too many horror stories about the Marvell one to bother with long term testing. I honestly can't tell the difference in speed with real world use(bootup time/gaming).
 
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srbarry

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Yeah, I came to the same conclusion. A shame though, otherwise this board has been great and with the i7 930 and the ram I've got invested I can't justify replacing the rig even though it kills me to have a new Evo and to know I won't get the max performance out of it.

Thanks for getting back to me though.

Steve
 
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therealbigsteve

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Jan 6, 2014
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No problem. If this is your first ssd like it was with me you'll still see a huge improvement in performance over a hdd. Don't let it bug you too much. I messed with the Marvel for about a week and then switched it to the intel and didn't see any differences in speed so I just left it in the intel. I feel you on the whole build thing though. I love the cpu(950) and ram(24gb g.skill ripjaws 1600mhz) I have in this thing and my GPUs(GTX 470 x2) still kick butt too! I don't plan on upgading anything until the GTX 9xx series comes out and even then I'll only be upgrading the GPUs....
 
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srbarry

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Not my first ssd, I'm upgrading from a first generation ssd, the intel x25, to a pair of samsung evos (one for the os/programs and a separate one for games) mostly because I need the space and I figure I can dump the intel ssd into an old laptop. While won't get the full performance from the evos, I got them cheap and I figure they may still be ok for my next build.

I still may try to see what someone might give me for the mb/cpu/ram on ebay or craigs list. It's not that these new SSDs would show a huge noticeable improvement with a new board, but it kills me to know that I am not getting the full performance with my current rig.

The ironic part is when I built this rig, I purposely went with the gigabyte board because I though I was future proofing myself specifically with regard to the sata 3 standard. Not so it turns out.

Regards,

 
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