@ all users with an Intel AHCI or RAID system

Preliminary note:
Since Intel is offering a big variety of different Intel AHCI and RAID driver versions, which belong to different development branches (MSM, RST, RSTe), it is not easy for the users to find the "best suitable" one out of them.
This thread may help you to "find the needle in the haysack".

1. Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager (MSM) drivers
   (first Intel AHCI/RAID driver series, outdated since several years)
   • Advantages:
     • best chances for a successful integration into Windows XP, if the user doesn't know the exact Intel SATA AHCI/RAID Controller specification of his system
     • no problems by using any Virtualisation Software instead of doing a clean install of the OS
   • Disadvantages:
     • suboptimal performance, especially with actual hardware components
     • no TRIM support (only relevant for SSD users)
     • outdated driver model line, no support of the newest Intel Chipsets
2. "conventional" Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (RST) drivers
   (using just 1 driver named iaStor.sys)
   • Advantages:
     • very good WRITE performance, especially on RAID0 systems with enabled Write-Back Caching
     • TRIM support (only relevant for SSD users)
     • evoke a very stable storage function and usage
   • Disadvantages:
     • further development has been stopped by Intel
     • some features of the newest Intel chipsets are not supported, may not even work with 8- and 9-Series Chipsets
     • increased chance of a driver integration failure (more sensitive to any mistake/unsure handling than the MSM drivers)
3. actual Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (enhanced RST) drivers
   (using an additional SCSI Filter driver, should better be named RST(e) drivers)
   • Advantages:
     • do support all new features of the actual Intel chipsets
     • TRIM support (only relevant for SSD users)
     • continuous further development by Intel
   • Disadvantages:
     • limited support of older chipsets
     • RAID0 usage with older chipsets: much less performant than the latest RST drivers

1. The newest drivers are not always the best. Even if they should be the best for some systems, this is not automaticly valid for all hardware configurations.
2. Users with an older Intel chipset should always keep in mind, that the chipset manufacturer Intel only develops drivers for the newest and for the upcoming chipsets and not for the older ones. Although many of the new drivers are backwards compatible with older AHCI and RAID Controllers, they are not or may not be optimized for them. A successful installation of a new Intel RAID driver onto an old Intel platform RAID system does not automaticly mean, that it will flawlessly work.
3. The choice of the "best" (=fastest) Intel AHCI/RAID driver is more difficult for RAID than for AHCI users.
   According to my experience there are no big differences regarding the performance of the various Intel AHCI/RAID driver versions, if they are used in AHCI mode, wheras the differences are remarkable for RAID systems (for details look >here<).
4. The stability of a system is at least as important as the performance. Especially users, who have installed the OS onto a single or RAIDed SSD, will realize stability issues, but not minimal performance differences, which are shown only by benchmark tests.

1. Intel RST drivers v11.2.0.1006 WHQL dated 05/30/2012
   These latest "classical" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers do support all Windows Operating Systems from W2k/XP up to Win10 and are recommended for the following systems:
   • AHCI mode: Good choice for all Intel AHCI systems from ICH7 up to 5-Series Chipsets
   • RAID mode: Probably best choice for all Intel RAID systems from ICH7R up to 7-Series Chipsets (look >here<)
     Best matching Intel RAID ROM: v11.2.0.1527 (no Intel EFI RaidDriver available)
   
   Download links: Look >here<.
   
   Comments:
   • These are the latest "classical" Intel RST AHCI/RAID drivers, which are managing the Intel SATA AHCI/RAID Controller with just 1 single driver named iaStor.sys.
   • "TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI RAID "SataDriver" from v11 up is present within the BIOS).
   • Advantages:
     a) They are running absolutely stable and will give the users AHCI/RAID system a very good performance (especially if being used with an SSD RAID0 configuration).
     b) They are usable with all Windows Operating Systems from XP (32/64bit) up.
   • Disadvantages:
     a) Not all features of the newest Intel chipsets are supported.
     b) A matching EFI RAID BIOS module is not available (only valid for RAID users).


2. Intel RST(e) drivers v12.9.4.1000 WHQL dated 04/24/2014
   Recommended for all Intel 5-Series, 6-Series and Mobile 7-Series Chipset systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 (32/64bit) up.
   Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v12.9.0.2006
   
   Download links: Look >here<.
   
   Comments:
   • These are the latest Intel AHCI/RAID drivers, which were optimized for 5-7 Series Chipsets.
   • Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named iaStorF.sys.
   • "TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI RAID "SataDriver" from v11 up is present within the BIOS).


3. Intel RST(e) drivers v13.1.0.1058 WHQL dated 05/28/2014
   Recommended for Intel 7-Series Chipset Desktop systems and for X79/X99 Chipset systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 (32/64bit) up.
   Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v13.1.0.2126
   
   Download links: Look >here<.
   
   Comments:
   • These are the latest Intel AHCI/RAID drivers, which natively do fully support 7-Series. Additionally these drivers do support C600/C600+ Series Chipsets (only in AHCI mode unless having set the BIOS to "RST" mode).
   • Like the later released v13.2.4.1000 ones these Intel RST(e) drivers v13.1.0.1058 are well developed and have a quite similar performance and stability.
   • Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named iaStorF.sys.
   • "TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI "RaidDriver" from v11 up is present within the BIOS).


4. Intel RST(e) drivers v13.2.4.1000 WHQL dated 07/25/2014
   Recommended for Intel 8- and 9-Series Chipset systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 (32/64bit) up.
   Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v13.2.2.2224 (RAID OROM) resp. 13.2.0.2134 (EFI RaidDriver)
   
   Download links: Look >here<.
   
   Comments:
   • According to my experience these drivers are a very good choice for users with an Intel 8- oder 9-Series Chipset system (for details look >here<.
   • These Intel RST(e) drivers are well developed and will give the Intel 8-/9-Series Chipset systems a good performance and stability.
   • Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named iaStorF.sys.
   • "TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI "RaidDriver" from v11 up is present within the BIOS).


5. Intel RST(e) drivers v14.8.12.1059 WHQL dated 08/23/2016
   Recommended for Intel X99 systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 (32/64bit) up.
   Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v14.8.2.2397
   
   Download links: Look >here<.
   
   Comments:
   • These currently latest Intel RST(e) drivers from the v14 platform are already well developed (contrary to the first v14 series drivers). They give modern Intel Chipset systems a good performance and stability.
   • Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named iaStorF.sys.
   • "TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI RAID "SataDriver" from v11 up is present within the BIOS).


6. Intel RST(e) drivers v15.2.2.1030 WHQL dated 10/21/2016
   Recommended for Intel 100- and 200-Series Chipset systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 (32/64bit) up.
   Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v15.2.1.2771
   
   Download links: Look >here<.
   
   Comments:
   • These currently latest Intel RST(e) drivers from the v15 platform are already well developed (contrary to the first v15 series drivers). They give the latest Intel Chipset systems a good performance and stability.
   • Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named iaStorF.sys.
   • "TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI "RaidDriver" from v11 up is present within the BIOS).

• Intel RSTe drivers v4.5.4.1030 WHQL dated 04/29/2016
  These are the latest Rapid Storage Technology "Enterprise Edition" (RSTe) drivers from Intel. Supported are all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 up. They are recommended for X99 Chipset systems running in "RSTe" mode.
  Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v4.5.0.1012
  
  Download links: Look >here<.
  
  Comments:
  • X99 users, who are running their Intel SATA ports in RST mode, should install the RST(e) drivers v14.8.9.1053.
  • TRIM is supported in AHCI and RAID mode (incl. RAID0).

Since the Intel RST(e) drivers of the v12 branch primarily are designed for the Intel 8-Series Chipsets, I have added yesterday the very stable running Intel RST(e) drivers v11.7.4.1001 as a good alternative for users with an Intel 5/6/7-Series Chipset system.

@ icedon:

Hello Don,
welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

You are right, that the Intel has developed the RST(e) drivers and RAID OROMs v12 primarily for the 8-Series chipset systems, but both are running fine with Z77 systems too.
On the other hand the Z77 RAID user 100PIER reported >here<, that he got the best performance with the combination RST v11.0.0.1339 OROM/RST(e) v12.7.0.122 drivers. This dshows, that it is possible to use the RAID OROM and the RAID drivers from different development branches.
Nevertheless I recommend to use a RAID OROM version, which belongs to the same branch as the RAID drivers.
Simple reason: Intel develops the RAID OROM and the RAID drivers together and optimizes the use of them this way.

Regards
Fernando

@ kpo6969:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

Zitat von kpo6969 im Beitrag #7

---

What would you recommend for my set-up (non-raid) for best achi performance?
Asrock Extreme4 bios 2.8 (official)

---

• either to install the Intel RST driver v11.2.0.1006 (best suitable with your current Intel RAID ROM v11.2.0.1527)
• or to update the Intel RAID ROM to v12.7.0.1936 and to install the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7.0.1022.

Zitat von kpo6969 im Beitrag #9

---

Should I stick with just the driver or go with the whole RST set-up with the 12.7.0.1022?

---

@ gabecubano14:

Hello Gabe,

welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

Zitat von gabecubano14 im Beitrag #9

---

I have an asus sabertooth z77. so would you recommend all z77s to the 11.2.0.1006?

---

Zitat von gabecubano14

---

Also if I have an asus sabertooth z77 do i have an intel ROM?

---

Yes!

Zitat von gabecubano14

---

How do i tell what version i have?

---

1. Enter the BIOS and set the Intel SATA ports temporarily to "RAID" > Save and reboot.
2. Hit CTRL+I while rebooting. Then you will see the Intel RAID ROM version of your BIOS.
3. Enter the BIOS again and reset the Intel SATA Controller to "AHCI" > Save and reboot.

Zitat von gabecubano14

---

And what version would be good for 11.2.0.1006?

---

Please read the start post of this thread. There you will find the answer.

Regards
Fernando

Note: This post has been updated at 07/30/2013 by adding the results with the Combo RST Driver v12.7.1.1000 WHQL + RST(e) RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936.

The last 3 days I have done a comparison of the following 3 Intel RAID drivers/OROM combinations:

1. Intel's RST driver v11.2.0.1006 WHQL dated 05/30/2012 (= last "classical" driver named iaStor.sys) with the recommended Intel RAID ROM v11.2.0.1527
2. Intel's RST(e) driver v11.7.4.1001 WHQL dated 03/05/2013 (= last Intel RST(e) driver of the v11 Series) with the recommended Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702
3. Intel's newest RST(e) drivers v12.7.1.1000 WHQL dated 07/10/2013 and v12.8.0.1008 Beta dated 07/08/2013 with the recommended Intel RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936

• Mainboard: ASUS P8Z77-V
• Drives: 2x128 GB Crucial M4 SSDs as RAID0 (Stripe size: 128 KB)
• OS: Windows 8.1 x64 Preview

1. The first step was breaking the old RAID array and to do a secure erase of both Crucial M4 SSDs by using the bootable "Parted Magic" CD dated 02/28/2013.
2. After having flashed the BIOS containing the desired Intel RAID ROM version, I created a new Intel RAID0 array by using the related Intel RAID ROM Utility.
3. The next step was a clean install of Win8.1 x64 Preview onto the freshly created RAID0 array. I created a new partition for the OS with a size of 120 GB, the rest of the RAID0 array was left unformatted.
4. Once the OS was up and automaticly customized after having entered my Microsoft account, I have done the following:
   • installation of .NET Framework v3.5 (needed for the later installation of the RST(e) Software),
   • installation of all available Windows Updates inclusive driver updates for the Intel HD4000 graphics adapter and the Intel Management Engine,
   • installation of the related Intel RST/RST(e) Drivers & Software Set by running the installer,
   • inactivation of the Windows automatic write cache clearing regarding the drive named "Intel-RAID0" from within the Device Manager ("Properties" > "Policies" > checked both options),
   • activation of the option "Write-Back Caching" from within the RST Console,
   • deinstallation of the "Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology" from within the System Control > "Add/remove Programs" option,
   • change of the "Energy Options" from "Balanced" to "High Performance",
   • execution of the "WinSAT diskformal" command and running the "Optimizer" for drive C (where the OS was installed),
5. After having done all that I ran the AS_SSD benchmark tool and stored the results.
6. As last step I checked the TRIM activity within the RAID0 by using the TRIMCheck Tool v0.4 (waiting just 15 seconds before reexecuting the tool) without forcing the check by any additional TRIM trigger utility.

1. Combination Intel RST driver v11.2.0.1006 WHQL + Intel RAID ROM v11.2.0.1527

   • Benchmark results:
     
   • TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):
     
2. Combination Intel RST(e) driver v11.7.4.1001 WHQL + Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702

   • Benchmark results:
     
   • TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):
     
3. Combination latest Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7/v12.8 + Intel RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936

   • a) Intel RST(e) driver v12.7.1.1000 WHQL + ROM v12.7.0.1936

     • Benchmark results:
       
     • TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):
       

   • b) Intel RST(e) driver v12.8.0.1008 Beta + ROM v12.7.0.1936

     • Benchmark results:
       
     • TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):
       

1. Performance:
   • The combination RST v11.2.0.1006/v11.2.0.1527 has the best Read Performance of my test candidates.
   • Regarding the Write Performance the winner is the combination RST(e) v11.7.4.1001/v11.6.0.1702.
   • The newest combinations RST(e) v12.7.1.1000/v12.7.0.1936 and RST(e) v12.8.0.1008/v12.7.0.1936 have the lowest Read Performance of all the candidates, the Write Performance were similar to the combo RST(e) v11.7.4.1001/v11.6.0.1702.
2. TRIM activity:
   • TRIM was active within the RAID with all combinations, but it seems, that the v12 RAID Driver/OROM combinations induce a lower TRIM activity within the RAID0 array than the candidates of the RST/RST(e) v11 Series.
     This result matches with the informations, that Intel has done some changes regarding the TRIM support, when they started the development of the RST(e) v12 Series.

Zitat von CPL0 im Beitrag #13

---

Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #12

---

This result matches with the informations, that Intel has changed the TRIM support, when they started the development of the RST(e) v12 Series.

---

I would be interested in seeing that, would you give a link?

---

Since my published Benchmark results with the newest Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.0.1008 Beta using the RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936 were apparently inferior to the results I got with the older RAID driver/OROM combinations of the RST/RST(e) v11 Series, I decided to add a similar test by using the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7.0.1036 WHQL.
Meanwhile I got the results and added them to >this< post.