MSI Z87 gd65 gaming RAID configuration

ComputerBuilder934 · May 11, 2014

Hello. I have an MSI Z87 gd65 Gaming motherboard, and I would like to know how I could put two kingston hyper x 3k SSDs into a RAID 0 configuration. I have heard that intel has a built in RAID controller, and I was wondering how to access that (I am assuming it is through the motherboard's BIOS). I also am assuming that I have to reset my OS to put it on the new RAID drive, and I would like to know if that is true. I have never used a RAID setup before, so I would be thankful for any advice you can give me. Thanks!

One last thing. A lot of people have to me not to RAID SSDs, but i am going to, so please do not try to tell me otherwise. I would just like help on how to RAID. thanks again!

USAFRet · May 11, 2014

Well...I am going to tell you.

There is absolutely zero reason (and many drawbacks) to RAID 0 two SSD's.

ComputerBuilder934 · May 11, 2014

do you know how to set up a RAID configuration? can you help me out please?

Y0GI · May 11, 2014

ComputerBuilder934 :

First, if moving the OS to the RAID array I would recommend a complete fresh install with re-installation of all programs and applications. See special instructions for Steam/Origin below.

If you're prepared for that, then shutdown the system and disconnect any current HDDs. Install the SSDs.
Reboot and enter the BIOS. Go to Settings>Advanced>Sata Mode and select "RAID". See Pg. 3-8 of the manual for how to do this. F10 to Save and Exit.
Reboot. You should see a notification to "Press Ctl +I to enter RAID Setup". Press Ctl + I when you see this notice pop up. This will put you into the Intel RAID set up.
Go into the Intel RAID Set up and set up your array with the 2 SSDs. See the Owner's Manual, Appendix B-1 for additional details. Save and Exit.
Have your Windows installation media ready. Reboot and press "F6" to enter the Boot Menu. Select the appropriate item to boot from (USB flash drive or DVD). Save and exit.
Boot into the Windows installation media and install Windows on the RAID array. Install all drivers and updates.

This is where it gets a little hazy for me. You "may" need to install "Intel Rapid Storage Technology" program and drivers to further optimize the RAID array, but I'm not sure if this is required for RAID 0.

Next, shutdown and reconnect your HDDs.
Reboot into BIOS and set your desired boot order. RAID array should be second to the DVD drive, if you have one.
Boot into Windows and copy over any files that you need from the HDDs.
Reinstall programs and applications on the RAID array.

If you have any Steam or Origin games on the HDD, you do not need to reinstall these. Just reinstall the Steam/Origin main app on the RAID array and go into the settings and point the program Library to the location on your HDD. Just Google "Move Steam" or "Move Origin" for more details.

Delete any unwanted files from the HDDs.

Enjoy!

Yogi

ComputerBuilder934 · May 11, 2014

Thank you sooo much!

Y0GI · May 11, 2014

You're welcome.

Good luck with it!

Yogi

ComputerBuilder934 · May 17, 2014

One last thing (i know its been a while, so sorry about that). When i am done setting up RAID, and i have my HDD re-installed to the board, can I put the SATA setting back to AHCI, or do i need it to stay on RAID?

USAFRet · May 17, 2014

Leave it on RAID.

(make sure you have a good backup of whatever is in that RAID)

USAFRet · May 17, 2014

And, I'd love to see actual performance results. Real world, not synthetic benchmarks.

tangduongtrieu · Dec 11, 2015

Y0GI :

ComputerBuilder934 :

First, if moving the OS to the RAID array I would recommend a complete fresh install with re-installation of all programs and applications. See special instructions for Steam/Origin below.

If you're prepared for that, then shutdown the system and disconnect any current HDDs. Install the SSDs.
Reboot and enter the BIOS. Go to Settings>Advanced>Sata Mode and select "RAID". See Pg. 3-8 of the manual for how to do this. F10 to Save and Exit.
Reboot. You should see a notification to "Press Ctl +I to enter RAID Setup". Press Ctl + I when you see this notice pop up. This will put you into the Intel RAID set up.
Go into the Intel RAID Set up and set up your array with the 2 SSDs. See the Owner's Manual, Appendix B-1 for additional details. Save and Exit.
Have your Windows installation media ready. Reboot and press "F6" to enter the Boot Menu. Select the appropriate item to boot from (USB flash drive or DVD). Save and exit.
Boot into the Windows installation media and install Windows on the RAID array. Install all drivers and updates.

This is where it gets a little hazy for me. You "may" need to install "Intel Rapid Storage Technology" program and drivers to further optimize the RAID array, but I'm not sure if this is required for RAID 0.

Next, shutdown and reconnect your HDDs.
Reboot into BIOS and set your desired boot order. RAID array should be second to the DVD drive, if you have one.
Boot into Windows and copy over any files that you need from the HDDs.
Reinstall programs and applications on the RAID array.

If you have any Steam or Origin games on the HDD, you do not need to reinstall these. Just reinstall the Steam/Origin main app on the RAID array and go into the settings and point the program Library to the location on your HDD. Just Google "Move Steam" or "Move Origin" for more details.

Delete any unwanted files from the HDDs.

Enjoy!

Yogi

Thanks you !

Y0GI · Dec 11, 2015

tangduongtrieu :

Y0GI :

ComputerBuilder934 :

First, if moving the OS to the RAID array I would recommend a complete fresh install with re-installation of all programs and applications. See special instructions for Steam/Origin below.

If you're prepared for that, then shutdown the system and disconnect any current HDDs. Install the SSDs.
Reboot and enter the BIOS. Go to Settings>Advanced>Sata Mode and select "RAID". See Pg. 3-8 of the manual for how to do this. F10 to Save and Exit.
Reboot. You should see a notification to "Press Ctl +I to enter RAID Setup". Press Ctl + I when you see this notice pop up. This will put you into the Intel RAID set up.
Go into the Intel RAID Set up and set up your array with the 2 SSDs. See the Owner's Manual, Appendix B-1 for additional details. Save and Exit.
Have your Windows installation media ready. Reboot and press "F6" to enter the Boot Menu. Select the appropriate item to boot from (USB flash drive or DVD). Save and exit.
Boot into the Windows installation media and install Windows on the RAID array. Install all drivers and updates.

This is where it gets a little hazy for me. You "may" need to install "Intel Rapid Storage Technology" program and drivers to further optimize the RAID array, but I'm not sure if this is required for RAID 0.

Next, shutdown and reconnect your HDDs.
Reboot into BIOS and set your desired boot order. RAID array should be second to the DVD drive, if you have one.
Boot into Windows and copy over any files that you need from the HDDs.
Reinstall programs and applications on the RAID array.

If you have any Steam or Origin games on the HDD, you do not need to reinstall these. Just reinstall the Steam/Origin main app on the RAID array and go into the settings and point the program Library to the location on your HDD. Just Google "Move Steam" or "Move Origin" for more details.

Delete any unwanted files from the HDDs.

Enjoy!

Yogi

Thanks you !

You're welcome.

Yogi

Fnawesome · May 24, 2016

I run raid 0 on this mobo with 4 ssd's, thinking of going to 6 to increase storage space since i have alot of cheap 128gb drives, i get about 1.4 Gb/s seq , 4k writes are at like 500 Mb/s which makes software installs super fast. 4k reads are at about 50 Mb/s

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