Intel chipset driver support TRIM?

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polonyc2

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does the Intel chipset driver now support TRIM?...I know earlier versions did not but don't know if that still applies or not...Intel released a new 9.2.0.1021 version a few days back...I've been using the MS AHCI driver ever since I got my SSD because I heard it was the only one to support TRIM
 
The Intel RST drivers have supported the ATA TRIM command since March of 2010.

It's important to note that TRIM is supported for SSDs in a NON-RAID configuration, meaning if you have multiple SSDs in a RAID configuration then the TRIM command isn't passed onto the drives.
 
Actually the newest official driver is 10.1.0.1008 but unfortunately it doesn't change the answer to the question asked. Blue Falcon's answer stands as correct.
 
Blue Falcon said:
The Intel RST drivers have supported the ATA TRIM command since March of 2010.

It's important to note that TRIM is supported for SSDs in a NON-RAID configuration, meaning if you have multiple SSDs in a RAID configuration then the TRIM command isn't passed onto the drives.
Click to expand...

looking at the Intel chipset download page (for non Intel branded boards) the 9.2.0.1021 release is the first official release since 12/2009...I don't see any 2010 chipset releases at all

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...=Intel®+Chipset+Software+Installation+Utility

and yes I'm only using a single SSD
 
xxEIEIOxx said:
Actually the newest official driver is 10.1.0.1008 but unfortunately it doesn't change the answer to the question asked. Blue Falcon's answer stands as correct.
Click to expand...

Yep. You have to use the Intel SSD Toolbox and run TRIM manually.
 
polonyc2 said:
I'm officially confused...I thought the Intel chipset driver was the only one I needed and linked to in my earlier post?...what is this Rapid Storage driver?...I thought that was only for RAID?
Click to expand...

Nope, it's for use in any configuration so long as you are using an Intel chipset (and the ATA controller on that chipset).

The .INF update utility you linked to is simply a suppliment to Windows to help it correctly identify your motherboard chipset and some of it's components. You should install that right after installing Windows.
 
Blue Falcon said:
Nope, it's for use in any configuration so long as you are using an Intel chipset (and the ATA controller on that chipset).

The .INF update utility you linked to is simply a suppliment to Windows to help it correctly identify your motherboard chipset and some of it's components. You should install that right after installing Windows.
Click to expand...

so when doing a new install when does the Rapid Storage Controller need to be installed?...I've never used it before and I've done numerous reformats and installs
 
polonyc2 said:
so when doing a new install when does the Rapid Storage Controller need to be installed?...I've never used it before and I've done numerous reformats and installs
Click to expand...

The latest Intel RST drivers will provide the best performance. However, you may not be able to use them. Let me explain: I haven't been able to use the 9 or 10 series Intel RST drivers because they will either cause Windows 7 not to boot or a BSOD after resuming from sleep. Prowling the OCZ forum I see that I'm not alone in having these problems. The last time I checked their toolbox does not support the 10 series RST drivers.

Solution? Use either the inbox MS drivers or use the Intel 9 series INF update referenced here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...=Intel®+Chipset+Software+Installation+Utility

I'm using a Vertex 2 in my system. A friend of mine is also using a Vertex 2 with a newer Asus motherboard and he can use the Intel 10 series RST drivers just fine. YMMV.
 
how do I install the Intel RST driver?...do I have to use the F6 method or can I still install it once the OS is installed using the exe file? (I'm using Windows 7 64-bit)

is it best to use the MS AHCI drivers or the Intel RST drives for best performance on a single SSD drive?
 
You want the Intel drivers and they can be installed anytime with the .exe file.
 
did a quick comparison using CrystalDiskMark on my non-SSD WD Caviar Black 640 GB drive using the standard MS AHCI driver vs the latest Intel RST driver...scores were slightly higher across the board with the RST driver so it looks like I'll be sticking with that one

can't believe all this time I thought the Intel INF was the AHCI driver and was all I needed...guess I'm not as [H] as I thought...thanks for the help
 
guess I'm not as [H] as I thought
Click to expand...
I'm intelligent enough to know I don't even understand 1% of what happening in the computer field and way less than 1% when it comes to life.

And I see many "gurus" here that know less than I so it doesn't make me feel bad. :)

Seems the more you feel you know the less you actually know. ;)

Good Luck!
 
polonyc2 said:
I'm officially confused...I thought the Intel chipset driver was the only one I needed and linked to in my earlier post?...what is this Rapid Storage driver?...I thought that was only for RAID?
Click to expand...

First... It's probably good to point out that Intel officially rebranded their drivers recently. It went from the "Matrix Storage" to "Rapid Storage".

A chipset driver is for your southbridge. The southbridge acts as the gateway between your CPU and I/O components on your motherboard. I believe most newer chips will be monpolized by Intel because Nvidia and Intel didn't reach a licensing agreement until a few days ago.

I believe the "Rapid Storage Drivers" are actually for your SATA ports so they can communicate the advanced info like SMART, etc.. (if you're running an SSD, make sure to set AHCI in the BIOS so that TRIM can run)

They've also got an SSD Toolbox, but it only supports Intel SSDs.

Hope that clarifies things...

(If anyone has a better explanation, feel free to correct me.)
 
Last edited:
PynkFloydd said:
First... It's probably good to point out that Intel officially rebranded their drivers recently. It went from the "Matrix Storage" to "Rapid Storage".

A chipset driver is for your southbridge. The southbridge acts as the gateway between your CPU and I/O components on your motherboard. I believe most newer chips will be monpolized by Intel because Nvidia and Intel didn't reach a licensing agreement until a few days ago.

I believe the "Rapid Storage Drivers" are actually for your SATA ports so they can communicate the advanced info like SMART, etc.. (if you're running an SSD, make sure to set AHCI in the BIOS so that TRIM can run)

They've also got an SSD Toolbox, but it only supports Intel SSDs.

Hope that clarifies things...

(If anyone has a better explanation, feel free to correct me.)
Click to expand...

I like it big time! :)

Let's also throw Intel's "Rapid Storage Manager" program into the mix.

It's separate and not needed but will show hard drive parameters, RAID information, and do some RAID repair if you're using the Intel ports.
 
KENNYB said:
The latest Intel RST drivers will provide the best performance. However, you may not be able to use them. Let me explain: I haven't been able to use the 9 or 10 series Intel RST drivers because they will either cause Windows 7 not to boot or a BSOD after resuming from sleep. Prowling the OCZ forum I see that I'm not alone in having these problems. The last time I checked their toolbox does not support the 10 series RST drivers.
Click to expand...

Could be the Option ROM version. Your board, like all Asus X58 boards, only has 8.0 of the option ROM and the board won't even boot if we custom mod it to anything later. My Gigabyte X58A-UD3R, on the other hand, came with 8.7 but works fine all the way up through the current 10.1 version.

I don't know if the newer drivers need a reasonably new option ROM version, but it's one possibility.
 
Old Hippie said:
I like it big time! :)

Let's also throw Intel's "Rapid Storage Manager" program into the mix.

It's separate and not needed but will show hard drive parameters, RAID information, and do some RAID repair if you're using the Intel ports.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I think for an SSD user, keeping Intel drivers up to date should be on the top of the list (up there with GPU drivers) of updates to check up on.

Sometimes it's hard to find them on Intel's support page though...
 
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