NCQ: do i need an NCQ-compatible mobo?

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shiek

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 16, 2005
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128
Do i need an NCQ compatible mobo to utilize ncq on HDDs or is it just HDD feature?
 
The hard drive and the controller both need to support it. However it is only of limited usefulness in specific situations.
 
Yep, you need the Serial ATA host controller (via mobo or expansion card) to support NCQ, as well as the drive itself.
 
Yes, you need a mboard that supports it. Currently you need an IHC6r or greater from intel to support ncq on the board ora controller card that specifically say it supports it. I love having NCQ turned on as it makes using virtual machines that are cranking away at the HD while I'm working on other things a snap. Remember though, if you are using raptors, they support TCQ and not NCQ. You'll need a card like a pacific digital talon raid card to support that in the SATA world.
 
In some cases, NCQ actually hurts performance.

Most of the time it does help though.
 
I get a huge amount of benefit from it because I frequently have vmware running with things inside it cranking away for tests. This allows everything else to run smoothly.
 
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