SSD install on a Dell Studio XPS 8000

JEFJR

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I want to install a SSD for Win 7 OS, but I do not have an option for AHCI in the BIOS. Only choices are ATA and RAID. I have a 1 T HDD to use as a data drive. How should I set my BIOS? If I use ATA, will I be limited to a speed of 1.5 Gb/s?
 

Vic 40

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Speed will be limited to what the sata ports can handle since it seems an older system,this has nothing to do at what the sata controller is set.Well not entirely true,at ahci will the ssd work at it's max possibilities,but it's more likely in an old system like this that the sata ports are a bottleneck.
See if there's a bios update that will add ahci and upgrade drivers.From what i know does raid (at least newer versions) have ahci options in it,but don't create an array! You don't want the ssd and hdd in one array.
 

JEFJR

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JEFJR

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Thanks Vic 40. I updated the BIOS, but no AHCI option. I do not think the MB (Intel DP55M01) supports AHCI as a stand alone option. I believe I have 1 SATA port that is 3 Gb/s and three others at a slower speed. I will connect only the SSD and do a clean install of Win 7 on the SSD. Then I plan to hook up the HHD and set it up as a data drive. Can I set ASA/ RAID independently in BIOS for each drive? How does one go about selecting RAID, but not make the HDD a part of an array?

Thanks to everyone for any advice?
 

Vic 40

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Just set the sata controller to raid and save,don't make any other changes.If it gives options for a raid set-up ignore those and just go for save and exit.So don't go and create an array!.
I'm sure,since you mention it,that you will connect the ssd to the 3gb/s port.

And there's no need to be sarcastic.
 

JEFJR

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JEFJR

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Thanks Vic 40. Sorry if you thought my reply was sarcastic. I was just trying to explain my equipment and what process i planned to follow (after reading many other threads).

I will set RAID in BIOS as you suggest and do the install.

Thanks again.