New Vertex3 Max Iops SLOWER than Vertex2...Help!

[ahthurungnone]

Okay, so I broke down and bought the latest 120GB Vertex3 Max IOPS to compliment my MSI 890FXA-GD70 mobo. I made sure my motherboard had the latest BIOS (1.9), bought a certified SataIII cable and hooked it up to the SATAIII 6Gps plug. It works, but it is actually slower than my other computer with a OCZ Vertex2 with SataII. WEI on the Vertex3 is 7.1, but WEI on the Vertex2 is 7.3.

I've already turned off Indexing on the drive, as I read in CPU that this slows SSDs down. I cannot recall what other changes have to be made to utilize TRIM or other drivers to make it run the way it should. Someone mentioned using ACHI, but I have no idea how to change that.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[ahthurungnone]

Oh, also...

Since I've already re-installed Windows, do I have to uninstall everything and reinstall after setting the Bios to ACHI??? (Please say, No.)

 

[tecmo34]

Here is a link to show you how to switch from IDE to AHCI, without reinstalling anything.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

Here is a link I created to show some of the common tweaks utilized on a SSD... http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-ssd-tweaks-for-windows-7/552.html

 

[groberts101]

also best to utilize the latest AMD drivers as the old "stick with the Microsoft default drivers" is a thing of the past now.

Once you get into AHCI mode the drive will be able to fully leverage the better drivers and NCQ support.

 

[ahthurungnone]

Yes, I already did the automatic fix in Windows to run in AHCI. However, I still get the "Insert Bootable Device" error upon startup. Before we go further, what exact setting am I supposed to change in the BIOS. There is only one area that has an AHCI option and that is under the RAID section.
Also, I downloaded the latest drivers directly from MSI's website. At current speeds I don't even think I am running at 6Gps.

 

[tecmo34]

If your are still having boot issues, I would keep it as AHCI (Only area I see in your manual is under the RAID option, as you stated) and plug the SSD into SATA7, which is the JMircon SATA II controller and boot. Since it is a new controller, it should load the necessary drivers upon startup. Afterwards, switch back to SATA1 for your boot drive.

IF that doesn't work, switch back to IDE and boot back up let us know, so we can find another option for you (outside of a fresh install... if possible).

 

[ahthurungnone]

Ok, I just did a fresh install with Win7 so it's not a big deal to do it again. If I do proceed with a fresh install on the SSD, what should I change in the BIOS before installing Windows again?

 

[ahthurungnone]

Oh, and it is hooked into Sata7 which is the SataIII 6Gps port. I installed the JMircon drivers again, and restarted. I switched it to AHCI and still won't boot. Should I just start over? It's not a big deal. This computer installs windows in under 10 minutes.

 

[tecmo34]

Yes... You want to switch to AHCI before installing you OS. I would recommend doing a Secure Erase on the drive first, as well by connecting it to another PC & use OCZ toolbox.

 

[tecmo34]

Hold on... SATA7 is your SATA II port not SATA III. Switch to SATA1 and reboot... It is the SATA III port (1-6)

 

[ahthurungnone]

There is one port that says 6Gps that is Blue. Is this not the SataIII port?

 

[ahthurungnone]

And you're sure all I do is change the RAID option to AHCI???

 

[ahthurungnone]

If your are still having boot issues, I would keep it as AHCI (Only area I see in your manual is under the RAID option, as you stated) and plug the SSD into SATA7, which is the JMircon SATA II controller and boot. Since it is a new controller, it should load the necessary drivers upon startup. Afterwards, switch back to SATA1 for your boot drive.

IF that doesn't work, switch back to IDE and boot back up let us know, so we can find another option for you (outside of a fresh install... if possible).

If you're online, explain exactly how to setup the BIOS so I'm definitely running AHCI please!

 

[tecmo34]

Yes... Change RAID to AHCI and the blue is SATA II (3Gps). The white slots are the SATA III (6Gbs)...

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/890FXA-GD70.html#Spec

 

[ahthurungnone]

Already reinstalled windows as directed, Sir.

 

[ahthurungnone]

Okay, I made all the changes specified at...

http://www.computing.net/howtos/sh [...] 7/552.html

But now it takes longer to boot windows! What change should I make to fix this? Thanks.

 

[tecmo34]

Is it hanging up on the windows screen or something..?

 

[ahthurungnone]

After I type in the password, it just sits there for like 60 seconds.

 

[tecmo34]

I would just reverse everything for the moment until you have everything install (drivers, programs... etc) than revisit it. Here is a good little tool you could use to optimize at once.

http://elpamsoft.com/Downloads.aspx?Name=SSD%20Tweaker

 

[ahthurungnone]

I will just reverse each one at a time to determine which change caused this. I know it's not the indexing or the write caching.

 

[ahthurungnone]

Ok, I got it! Super Duper Fast! 7.9 on WEI and no hang ups.

Tecmo34, you are awesome. I believe you've helped me multiple times. So thank you so very much. Hopefully, others can learn from your experience.

P.S. Whatever you're paid, it's not enough

 

[ahthurungnone]

Best answer selected by ahthurungnone.

 

[ahthurungnone]

I just want to say...HOLY CRAP is this fast!!!