TRIM Command Confirmed With RAID 0 on Intel 7 Series

By Doug Crowthers
published

Intel makes the TRIM command available within a RAID 0 setup with Intel RST Driver versions 11.0 and newer

In Nov. 2011, we discussed that TRIM support for RAID 0 was planned with the introduction of Intel's RST 11.5 drivers. Based on information listed in its 11.5.0.1109 Alpha release notes, Intel will be providing TRIM support with the final driver release;

"2. This release will not enable the TRIM on RAID0 feature, but it will be added in the next RST 11.5 release." 

TRIM is a command that allows an operating system to inform a solid state drive (SSD) which blocks of data are no longer considered in use and can be wiped internally, improving performance, but up until now this function was not available for a SSD in a RAID setup. During its introduction this past spring, the Intel 7-series chipset did not have TRIM enabled in RAID 0. This will change with a software upgrade.

With the Windows 8 right around the corner, news came out that TRIM support for RAID 0 will be dependent on running Windows 8 with an Intel 7-series chipset, along with the motherboard having RAID BIOS (Option ROM) version 11.5 or higher and Rapid Storage Technology (RST) device driver version 11.5 or higher.

This raised the question on whether or not TRIM is supported for RAID 0 on Windows 7 or does it required Windows 8 for the feature to be supported. We reached out to Intel for an official response on TRIM support for Windows 7 vs. Windows 8 in a RAID 0 setup. Intel provided the below response;

"Trim on RAID 0 for SSDs is supported in the Intel RST driver versions 11.0 and newer. Currently available for the general public on Intel’s downloads site is RST driver version 11.2 which offers TRIM support on RAID 0 compatible with MS Windows 7 OS on Intel 7 series chipsets (earlier chipsets NOT supported). Intel is also working on a future release providing support for TRIM on RAID 0 on Microsoft Windows 8 OS for Intel 7 series chipsets."

Based on Intel's response, it looks like it is officially supported on Windows 7 with RST driver version 11.2 and Intel 7-series chipsets. It looks like it is not "officially" supported on Windows 8 at this time.

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Doug Crowthers
20 Comments Comment from the forums
  • nikorr
    Cool!
    Reply
  • C'mon Tom's, stop putting out every single article with errors because you're too lazy to proof read! You guys keep losing credibility by the day. "a SSD", are you serious. Don't you guys learn this crap in primary school?
    Reply
  • aqualipt
    Back 2 SchoolC'mon Tom's, stop putting out every single article with errors because you're too lazy to proof read! You guys keep losing credibility by the day. "a SSD", are you serious. Don't you guys learn this crap in primary school?
    Watch out, we've got a smart ass over here
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    Wait... so they had been working on it for the 6 series with it now they don't? The 6 and 7 series are very similar so why can't they do TRIM in a RAID 0 on the 6 series? Its still using the ICH10R SB for the SATA.

    Kinda dissapointig even though I wont ever need RAID 0 SSDs but still strange they don't have it supporting the 6 series chipsets.
    Reply
  • 15th warlock
    Does the 7 series include the X79? or just the latest P/H77 chipsets?
    Reply
  • kaisellgren
    Nice, but I'm more interested knowing if the current market PCI-E based SSDs are bootable and have trim. Since SATA III is already being pushed to the limits, PCI-E seems like a solution except that to my experience they aren't bootable at least not easily.
    Reply
  • zander1983
    Good enough excuse to get a new motherboard :)
    Reply
  • blazorthon
    Back 2 SchoolC'mon Tom's, stop putting out every single article with errors because you're too lazy to proof read! You guys keep losing credibility by the day. "a SSD", are you serious. Don't you guys learn this crap in primary school?
    Yeah yeah, it should be an SSD, but you clearly overreacted.
    Reply
  • rantoc
    kaisellgrenNice, but I'm more interested knowing if the current market PCI-E based SSDs are bootable and have trim. Since SATA III is already being pushed to the limits, PCI-E seems like a solution except that to my experience they aren't bootable at least not easily.
    The later Revodrives from ocz supports both boot and trim (don't know about the earlier Revo's) but in reality the trim don't work as the windows 7's trim currently only work with AHCI devices. On the good side the Revo's have pretty good garbage collection.
    Reply
  • SpadeM
    There's no official support for the 6 series chipset because intel wants to force user to an "upgrade" ... it wouldn't be the first time (see socket changes). Lucky for the average user, those drivers will be modded (the same way enabling AHCI on ICH9) and we'll get unofficial support. Dick move on Intel's part but ... all is fair in love and business.
    Reply