Recently I just bought a 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 32MB Cache SATAII NCQ HDD and now using it as my primary drive with OS installed on it while my previous 120GB Samsung Spinpoint 8MB Cache SATA HDD (non-NCQ) as secondary drive for backup purpose.

I'm using DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS which using Intel ICH9R chipset and currently running the drives under SATA HDD Mode: IDE. Both drives running at Ultra DMA Mode-5 transfer mode which is ATA-100. However, I learn that running the drives in SATA HDD Mode: AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) will enable the drives to run at Ultra DMA Mode-6 which is ATA-133? AHCI also enable features such as NCQ (Native Command Queuing) and hot-swappable drives?

Switching to AHCI mode will require me to reinstall the OS and also install SATA driver before the installation of OS. Should I go for AHCI mode or just leave it as IDE? Any noticeable performance gain and features benefit?

Install the driver before switching the mode in BIOS? Well, from most I read from the Internet all requiring a reinstallation of the OS prior to mode switching and initial installation of SATA driver is required during the installation of the OS. However, from what you mentioned regarding installing the driver in after installed the OS, switching the mode and then booting in Safe Mode to see if any BSOD appear. This seems to be like the one mentioned here: http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php...Storage+Manager ?

Else if BSOD appeared, a reinstallation if needed. I wouldn't mind reinstall the OS since my Windows just crashed on me yesterday, recovered using Windows Recovery Mode. But one thing is that my FDD already kaputed and I left no working FDD available with me .

Maybe I should try the Slipsteam way which mentioned here: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/501772 ?

I'm having HD videos on my HDD which average 2GB and above per file. Guess using AHCI mode will benefits me in this way?

BTW, since I'm having 1x SATAII NCQ drive and 1x SATA Non-NCQ drive. Can both be installed on the same system with the NCQ feature enabled?

Maybe I should try the driver installation in OS and then do the mode switching in BIOS. If everything working then voila ~ . Else... ... will try to do the Slipsteam thingy tonite .

Isn't RAID requires two HDD of the same size? I have one 500GB and one 120GB leh. Anyway, will my Seagate still be able to run its NCQ thou I'm using a Non-NCQ drive on the same system?

Man... I doesn't print money notes myself . That 500GB already cost me RM445 and another one of it will total it up till RM990 . 1TB... I doesn't need that much yet .

Most probably I'll try the driver installation and mode switching trick before doing a full reinstallation. No matter how the outcome, I'll do a full reinstallation. It's just a matter of the outcome and time .

However, if because one of my drive doesn't support NCQ thus I wouldn't be able to run NCQ mode for my Seagate. Guess I wouldn't trouble myself so much doing all the "chores" .

Intel(R) Matrix Storage Technology : Changing and/or Choosing Serial ATA Modes

... and... apa ni?

Intel(R) Matrix Storage Technology : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Fi...?ProductID=1809
Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Fi...?ProductID=2101

This post has been edited by vearn27: Feb 13 2008, 03:35 PM

Your quote really enlighten me . Thanks a lot for sharing a good piece of information. Now I remember how NCQ works and I don't really think that will be beneficial since I'm using it all alone .

Then if I really opted for really greater performance, getting another identical HDD and running RAID-0 will be much more wiser, isn't?

So as you said, I just left my HDDs on SATA IDE mode running at UDMA Mode-5 which is ATA100? Can I use SATA AHCI mode to run the drives at UDMA Mode-6 ATA133 with NCQ disabled?

Whichever will give better performance? Please advise .

Gotcha ~ will remain on the same SATA HDD Mode and now running Windows CheckDisk to scan and fix error on the HDD .

Just reformatted and setup mine into AHCI mode as well. Will see if I can feed any difference between both mode. However, it seems like a little faster on response, but it could be due to my SP3 .

Did the slipsteam on the bootdisk, really hassle free from getting a FDD instead .

Just giving it a try. Since my HDD and OS messed up on me lately and keep on with reformatting thingy. Now giving AHCI mode a try since I'm going to doing a few reformat after all .