Forum - Specific: Intel AHCI/RAID Drivers » best current x79 RAID drivers

#1 | best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:27 pm

Thank you for your copious contributions here and even doing Intel's job on their support forums. Although I have read much I am still undecided on the best route to solve my problem (which is actually common since x79 motherboards have an OROM that does not pass trim to RAID0 SSD arrays.)

My setup:
EVGA Dark motherboard (x79) w Intel OROM 3.5.0.1005
2 Intel SATA3 ports
2 Samsung 840 PRO 256 SSD
16 gig RAM
Win7 Pro

Clearly to enable trim I need to either
a) flash the OROM to a version that accepts the 12 series RST drivers
or
2) use a modified 12 series RSTe driver where you have doctored the inf file to allow its installation.

What is your recommendation and which versions of RST3 should I use for Win7 pro as well as Win 8.1?

Tnx again.
Cheers.
Stefan

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#2 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:08 pm

Hello Stefan,

welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

If your X79 mainboard BIOS doesn't allow to switch from RSTe to RST using the original Intel RAID drivers v11 or v12, I recommend to replace the Intel RSTe RAID ROM v3.x.x.xxxx of the BIOS by the "Especially modified Intel RST(e) RAID ROM with TRIM in RAID0 for X79 systems", which you can find within the first post of >this< thread.

After having done that, I recommend to do the following:

Make a backup of your RAID partitions, if you should have any.
Prepare a bootable USB flash drive with the OS you want to install.
Prepare an additional USB flash drive containing the latest 32/64bit Intel RSTe drivers v3.6.x.xxxx or v3.7.x.xxxx (maybe needed as F6 drivers while starting the later OS installation).
Delete your current RAID0 array created by the Intel RAID Utility v3.x.x.xxxx.
Enter the BIOS and set everything to "Default".
Flash the BIOS, which contains the modded Intel RST RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936. Then power off the computer for ca. 1 minute.
Start the computer, enter the BIOS and set the Intel SATA Controller to "RAID" mode.
Restart the system and hit CTRL+I while booting.
Create a new RAID0 array with the stripe size you want (64K or 128K).
Restart the system, enter the BIOS and do the settings you require (inclusive boot order).
Restart the system and boot off the USB flash driver, which contains the OS image you want to install.
Once the OS is up, install .NET Framework 3.5 (will be needed for the installation of the RST Software) After having done that, do a reboot.
Install the latest Intel RSTe Drivers & Software Set v3.x.x.xxxx and reboot
Run the Intel RSTe Console and enable the "Write-Back Caching" feature. Then do a reboot.
Uninstall the Intel(R) Rapid Storage Enterprise Technology software from within the Control Panel. Then reboot.
Install the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.2.1000 from within the Device Manager by using the "Have Disk" button (this will force the installation).
Customize the OS according your demands and have fun with your system, which now will support the "TRIM in RAID0 feature".

Regards
Fernando

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#3 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:15 pm

Tnx Fernando for a prompt and thorough reply. I found the post you are referring to and read this section:

>Especially modified Intel RST(e) RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936 with TRIM in RAID0 for X79 systems< (>MIRROR<)
Note: This ROM is designed for DEV_2826, usable instead of the RSTe RAID ROM v3.x, credits go to Nodens for his work on the v11.6.0.1702 ROM.
Important:
The use of the "modded" Intel RAID ROM modules will be at own risk. Neither the error free function of the ROM modules nor the TRIM in RAID0 support can be guaranteed.
Intel RAID0 users should not install Intel's RST(e) drivers v12.5.0.1066. These special drivers do not support the TRIM in RAID0 feature!

Obviously the part that says RISK worries me a little. I guess I could always flash back to the virgin OROM.

These are stock, yes?:
>Intel RSTe RAID ROM v3.8.0.1009< (>MIRROR<)

The contents is just a bin file. Somewhere I remember reading one of your posts on the intel forums about the flashing process and how one needs to extract the .bio file. Then convert that to an .ami file. Then change the .ami file, then convert back to a .bio file to flash. Is this correct or am I delusional? How are you flashing the OROM nowadays? Do I need to reflash every time I make a bios update?

Also I read on those forums this
https://communities.intel.com/thread/37403

>The OROM that is used with X79 chipsets is not an iRST OROM so; iRST driver was not designed to work with that type of OROMs.<

Later in that thread you said this:

>When will Intel add the missing HardwareIDs within the iaStorAC.inf file?<

specifically this:

>The only thing, which Intel should do for the X79 RAID users, is the addition of the following 2 lines into the iaStorAC.inf file of the actual RST(e) drivers v12.x.x.xxxx:
%PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2826&CC_0104.DeviceDesc% = iaStorA_inst, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2826&CC_0104
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2826&CC_0104.DeviceDesc = "Intel(R) C600/C220 series chipset SATA RAID Controller"
This way all TRIM in RAID problems of the X79 RAID users will be solved at once.<

I conclude from those statements that I do NOT need to flash to a new OROM. I just need the modified drivers which I found here:

Modded Intel AHCI and RAID Drivers
The most recent is this one:
>64bit Intel RSTe AHCI & RAID drivers v12.8.0.1016 mod by Fernando< (>MIRROR<)

But you are recommending that I flash the OROM and go with
Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.2.1000

Is your recommendation based on the fact that having a compatible OROM will allow easy future updates with standard intel drivers.? Or are the newer drivers "better"?

Tnx again for your splendid contributions.

Stefan

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#4 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:40 pm

Zitat von bwana im Beitrag #3
Obviously the part that says RISK worries me a little.

Each manual modification of a BIOS module or of a complete BIOS file includes the risk of having done something wrong.
It up to the user to decide, if he wants to use it nevertheless.

Zitat
These are stock, yes?:
>Intel RSTe RAID ROM v3.8.0.1009< (>MIRROR<)

Yes, but with no TRIM in RAID0 support.

Zitat
The contents is just a bin file. Somewhere I remember reading one of your posts on the intel forums about the flashing process and how one needs to extract the .bio file. Then convert that to an .ami file. Then change the .ami file, then convert back to a .bio file to flash. Is this correct or am I delusional?

This is correct, but the .bin file of the Intel RAID ROM module has nothing to do with an Intel mainboard BIOS file with a .BIO extension.

Zitat
How are you flashing the OROM nowadays? Do I need to reflash every time I make a bios update?

Yes!

Zitat
I conclude from those statements that I do NOT need to flash to a new OROM.

That is a wrong conclusion. If you want TRIM activity within your X79 chipset RAID0 array, you need both:
a) an RST RAID OROM v11.x.x.xxxx or v12.x.x.xxxx and
b) an RST RAID driver v11.x.x.xxxx or v12.x.x.xxxx.

Zitat
Zitat von Fernando
The most recent is this one:
>64bit Intel RSTe AHCI & RAID drivers v12.8.0.1016 mod by Fernando< (>MIRROR<)
But you are recommending that I flash the OROM and go with Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.2.1000

When I posted the quoted text, the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.2.1000 were not yet available.

Zitat
Is your recommendation based on the fact that having a compatible OROM will allow easy future updates with standard intel drivers.? Or are the newer drivers "better"?

Newer is not always, but mostly better, but this is only valid for systems like yours (with a reasonably actual Intel chipset).

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MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
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#5 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:40 pm

You said:

When I posted the quoted text, the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.2.1000 were not yet available.
>64bit Intel RSTe AHCI & RAID drivers v12.8.0.1016 mod by Fernando< (>MIRROR<)

But the v12.8.0.1016 are modded by you
the v12.8.2.1000 are unmodded.

Since the OROM is modded, will either work?

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#6 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:14 am

Zitat von bwana im Beitrag #5
But the v12.8.0.1016 are modded by you
the v12.8.2.1000 are unmodded.
Since the OROM is modded, will either work?

Meanwhile I have replaced the modded v12.8.0.1016 drivers by the more actual modded v12.8.2.1000 ones. Look >here<.
By the way: You probably can use the original or the modded driver. In both cases you have to force the installation.
The only difference for you is, that the iaStorAC.inf file of the modded driverpack contains the correct name and DeviceID of your "Intel(R) C600 Series Chipset SATA RAID Controller" (DEV_2826), which will be shown within the Device Manager.

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
Donation Link:
If you are satisfied with my Forum activities, you can send a donation to my personal PayPal account by clicking onto >this< link.

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#7 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:48 am

thank you for holding my hand through this. I dont want to irreversibly screw up if I can help it.I did notice that the modded OROM
8086-2822_v12701936.bin is 121,856 bytes but stock OROM 30.5.0105 is 93,184 bytes
and the CMSCORE module size changes after I replace the OROM
stock size 0002FFDB
modded size 00033A06

the final 'compiled' bios sizes are the same
16,777,216 bytes

I guess the MMToolAMI_Aptio_EFI_MMTool_v4.50.0.23 'pads' the file? or is there an error?

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#8 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:57 am

Zitat von bwana im Beitrag #7
I did notice that the modded OROM 8086-2822_v12701936.bin is 121,856 bytes but stock OROM 30.5.0105 is 93,184 bytes

Yes, the RST OROM modules are generally bigger sized than the RTe ones.

Zitat
I guess the MMToolAMI_Aptio_EFI_MMTool_v4.50.0.23 'pads' the file? or is there an error?

No, that is no error. The MMTool customizes the module sizes dynamicly by choosing a different compression, so that the total size of the BIOS will be exactly the same.

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
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#9 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Wed Sep 18, 2013 11:49 am

Just wanted to post some info from massive testing. I have found the with the X79 and win 7, the best performance was the 11.6 OROM, along with the 12.7.2.1000 driver, the 11.7.4, then the 12.8.0.1016 driver.

Seems that the best TRIM was with the 11.6 OROM and the 11.7.4.1001 driver, based on running TRIM check.

Now because you have a different board, and are using the modded OROM, you might find a different match to be better, but thought I would post this as a reference.

ASrock Z170 Extreme 7+, Z97, with a 4790. My RAID is somewhat faster using the 13 series SataDriver and driver then the 13 or 12 on the X79.
Cooler Master Stacker 830, Asrock Extreme 7, I7 3820, H100 cooler, GTX 670, Seasonic Platinum-860, 2-Samsung 840, 2- vector 180, 2-vector 150 2- Vectors, 2-Vertex 4, 1-Vertex 460, 4 Vertex 3.
Always have 2-RAID RST, Marvel RAID on 9182.

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#10 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Thu Sep 19, 2013 3:02 pm

tnx odie for your findings but how do determine the 'best' trim? Isnt either trimmed or not? sort of like emptying the recycle bin - its either empty or its not.

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#11 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Thu Sep 19, 2013 3:06 pm

Zitat von bwana im Beitrag #10
tnx odie for your findings but how do determine the 'best' trim? Isnt either trimmed or not?

You are generally right, but nevertheless the TRIM activity seems to be slightly different with different drivers. That is what odiebugs certainly meant.
Nobody knows, if this has any effect on the performance of the RAID0 system.

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
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#12 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:05 pm (Last edited: Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:06 pm)

Tnx. As I've gathered from reading this board, series 11 is best for win 7 and series 12 for win 8.

But in your detailed instructions, why this:

13. Install the latest Intel RSTe Drivers & Software Set v3.x.x.xxxx and reboot

Can't the series 11 or series 12 enable the write cache feature ?

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#13 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:39 pm (Last edited: Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:40 pm)

Zitat von bwana im Beitrag #12
But in your detailed instructions, why this:
13. Install the latest Intel RSTe Drivers & Software Set v3.x.x.xxxx and reboot
Can't the series 11 or series 12 enable the write cache feature ?

Yes, they support the Write-Back Caching feature as well, but I doubt, that you will be able to get the v11/v12 RST software installed.
Reason: The installer will refuse the installation, because X79 RAID systems are not supported by the original RST v11/v12 packages and I haven't yet found any way to circumvent this restriction.

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
Donation Link:
If you are satisfied with my Forum activities, you can send a donation to my personal PayPal account by clicking onto >this< link.

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#14 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:37 pm

I guess the confusion I am having is understanding the OROM. If I flash a modified bios that has the modded Intel RST RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936, how can I then install a system using the 3.x.x.x.xxxx drivers? Will I not need the 11/12 series drivers to enable the system to be run/be installed onto a RAID array set up by a series 11/12 OROM? Just as series 12 drivers will not work on a stock 3.x.x.x.xxxx OROM, why should series 3.x.x.x.xxxx drivers work on a modded series 11/12 OROM?

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#15 | RE: best current x79 RAID drivers datum

Fri Sep 20, 2013 2:01 pm (Last edited: Fri Sep 20, 2013 2:01 pm)

@ bwana:
If you will flash a BIOS containing an X79 modded RST v11/v12 Intel RAID ROM instead of the original RSTe v3.x.x.xxxx ROM, your Intel SATA RAID Controller will still be an X79 chipset one (DEV_2826). This is totally different from X79 mainboard BIOSes, which contain 2 Intel RAID ROM modules (the "normal" RSTe v3.x.x.xxxx ROM and additionally an RST v11.6.0.1702 ROM), where the mainboard manufacturer gives the user the option to use an original RST RAID ROM v11 by switching the DeviceID to DEV_2822.
That is why you will be able to install any original RSTe driver and software v3.x.x.x.xxxx without any problem, whereas you have to force the installation of any original Intel RST driver v11/v12, because the DeviceID DEV_2826 is missing within the original iaStorAC.inf file. If you are going to install any of my modified Intel RST drivers v11/v12, you will have to force the installation as well (because the driver has lost its digital signature by any modification of any associated file), but the Device Manager will show the correct "Intel(R) C600 Series Chipset Sata RAID Controller" with the DeviceID DEV_2826.
Is everything clear now?

My current System:
MB: ASRock X570 Pro4, CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 980 Pro, Graphics: Sapphire Radeon RX570, OS: Win10 x64 Pro
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