Intel SATA driver question...

[StainlessSteel]

I'm building my first intel system since the 90's, been building AMD systems since the K6 series, and I was wondering which intel SATA driver gives the best performance and stability when using SSDs on the RIVE. I'm going to be using 2 Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240gb drives and a WD Black Cav 1gb HDD in my new system. I ask as I see there are two driver series, the 3.x Enterprise and the 11.x desktop.

TIA

[DooRules]

The 11 series are better for benching, for every day OS either will do just fine.

[HiVizMan]

If you are using the Chronos series make sure your SATA and power cables are fitted snug, the spacing on the connector sockets is way to loose for my liking on t he Chronos series.

[StainlessSteel]

Are there any benefits to using the Intel drivers over the default MS drivers? I just want stability and decent performance. Also do I install them during the Windows Install where you can choose to load a disk driver or after the install when I'm installing the chipset drivers etc.

Thanks again for your responses.

[Arne Saknussemm]

I have different SSDs in my system (vertex3) but they are almost the same controller. I found the RSTe drivers caused me some problems. The drives showed up in device manager as SCSI device and the SMART data was not readable by most popular SSD health reporting tools. I found the Microsoft AHCI drivers worked perfectly and even let the drive work faster. Plenty of people have shown the RST 11.1 series as being slower too. I'm waiting for the next generation intel drivers (particularly 11.5/6 if it supports raid TRIM) before trying Intel drivers.

[HiVizMan]

The only drivers you need to install OS on your SSD are those contained in your OS disc. If possible try and ensure your disc is SP1. I have not had one issue installing multiple RAID arrays using a legit SP1 OS disc which I have converted using the Win USB tool onto a USB stick.

Once you are in OS, install the motherboard chipset driver and the AHCI driver from the support page. You are good to go.