Help for UEFI 8.1 Install Trim Raid 0

[pivert110]

Hello,
I have 6 questions about the Win 8.1 64 bits UEFI installation on Rampage IV Black edition - Intel Core i7-4960X - 2 x Raid 0 Samsung SSD 840 PRO 256 Go - SLI 2x ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5. I didn't yet buy the computer and I'd like to have some answers before to not spend money.
I understand that I have to install the OS in UEFI Mode to have Trim enabled with Raid 0 on the Mobo Rampage IV Black edition and that I have to use the Intel RST v.12.8.0.1016.
I read the Win 8.1 UEFI installation guide for Raid users which explains that I have to set Secure Boot on "other OS" and CSM as disabled.

1- But I read some issues with CSM disabled and SLI 2x ASUS GTX770 or other GTX 7.... Impossible to set CSM disabled with SLI enabled. The ASUS GTX770 bios is UEFI GOP (unless I do a mistake), so I don't understand why it is impossible to set CSM disabled when SLI is enabled? Do you know this issue? I try to understand before buying my computer. If the CSM is enabled (because of issue with SLI), will the UEFI installation OK to have trim on Raid 0?
I'd like to know if CSM enabled is not a problem for trim raid 0 on my Mobo and if the UEFI installation would be good even if CSM is enabled.
Perhaps someone can tell me that SLI 2x ASUS GTX770 enabled is compatible with CSM disabled?

Asus list a VBios Update 2013/10/30 for the GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5. Do you recommend to install it? Is it a UEFI-Gop Bios? Does it solve the SLI/CSM compatibility issue?

2- I 'd like to know also if Blue-ray LG BH16NS40 shows UEFI prefix to install Win 8.1 from the DVD? If not, could you give me advices about some models which allow the UEFI prefix to install Win 8.1 from the DVD?

3- I read that some people could not use the Intel RST drivers with Samsung SSD 840 Pro but I'm in doubt. Could you confirm me that there' s no issue to install Intel RST drivers on Raid 0 2x Samsung SSD 840 Pro?

4- To install the Intel RST drivers for Raid 0, what's the best choice: F6 drivers or Intel software in OS?

5- I read the Fernando post about "Detection of SSDs by Win8/8.1 and the use of the Optimizer": Both Windows 8.1 versions (Preview and RTM) have a severe bug: The OS doesn't detect RAIDed SSDs and sees them as HDDs. Then there was a workaround to solve the problem. Is it yet a problem with actual Win 8.1 or is it solved now?

6- Which is the best Bios version for the Rampage IV Black Edition?

I thank you all in advance for the help.

[RickROG]

I am running the RIVE, but, x79 chipset. You cannot run UEFI with SSD in RAID and have trim unless you use one of the modified OROM/driver packages compiled by Nodens or Fernando, only AHCI; here: https://communities.intel.com/thread/37403?start=0&tstart=0.
I have tried and the only way to have trim is to run one of the newer RSTe OROM/driver packages as outlined by Fernando here: http://www.win-raid.com/t2f23-Intel-R-RST-RSTe-Drivers-newest-v-v-WHQL.html with CSM enabled.

[LiveOrDie]

Yes you need to install windows 8.1 in UEFI also make sure you have the normal RST OROM selected in the bios rather than the RSTe OROM, after installing windows install RST drivers and TRIM will work.

Also i ran RAID Samsung SSD 840 Pro on my old RIVE. The RST drivers are for your storage controller and have zero to do with the drives you use.

[RickROG]

LiveOrDie wrote:
Yes you need to install windows 8.1 in UEFI also make sure you have the normal RST OROM selected in the bios rather than the RSTe OROM, after installing windows install RST drivers and TRIM will work.

Also i ran RAID Samsung SSD 840 Pro on my old RIVE. The RST drivers are for your storage controller and have zero to do with the drives you use.

I meant in UEFI with CSM disabled-which is one of the settings he used=no TRIM for SSD's in RAID. Actually the driver/OROM does matter-as Nodens used to mod the drivers for this purpose-and I was never able to get TRIM to work in RAID with CSM disabled and/or CSM enabled and set to UEFI mode only or in combination with legacy mode. As Fernando states in hs forum the RSt drivers are not for C600/x79 in RAID=no TRIM and from countless hours of trying/testing-beating up my SSD's I can confirm that. TRIM just will not work with the unmodded drivers unless one uses the RSTe drivers. Which OROM is used to make the array does not matter. I tried a modded OROM/driver comboination from Fernando's forum and flashed the BIOS back to unmodded because I ran into many BIOS issues not even related to driver/OROM.
This is my experience anyways-use the RSTe drivers and legacy mode on C600 or do without TRIM period.

[LiveOrDie]

There is away to get it working i had TRIM on my RAID SSDs but like i said i was using the RST OROM not the RSTe which doesn't support raid in its drivers.

[BondJamesBond]

Hi all,
I installed Windows 7 in RAID 0 on my 2 Samsung 840Pro 256GB using Nodens' Windows 8/7 UEFI Installation Guide.
Settings were, using BIOS 4206, as follows:
-CSM: enabled
-Secure Boot OS Type: other OS
-Boot Device Control: UEFI and LEGACY
-Boot from Network devices: UEFI Driver first
-Boot from Storage devices: Both, UEFI first
-Boot from PCI Express devices: UEFI driver first
It was a clean install using Intel RST 12.8.0.1016. (F6 method).
All went well and Trim is working OK here when verifying with "Trimcheck" utility 0.6.
What I found out is that you have to wait quite a long time between the first and the second run of the utility. I usually wait 20 minutes (but maybe you could wait less).
One more thing: Instead of using the Intel Software in the RST driver to enabled write back caching, I found an alternate way:
Normally after a Windows 7 install this option is checked, making you believe it is operational, but it is not.
Therefore uncheck the option "enable write caching on the device" first, then restart, check the option again to enable it, restart, and you will see your RAID performances improve a lot, especially the 4k reading (AS SSD Benchmark). Now as I am a newbie in this, I may have misinterpreted the different results, but I'm happy with it. Furthermore I don't know if a Windows 8 install works the same, up to you to check it out.
Enjoy

[pivert110]

Hi all, thank you for your replies. So, I don't need "modded drivers" to enable trim Raid 0 for my SSD?
Could you confirm?
Have you also some issues with SLI ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 (or other GTX7...) and CSM disabled?
Regards.

[RickROG]

pivert110 wrote:
Hi all, thank you for your replies. So, I don't need "modded drivers" to enable trim Raid 0 for my SSD?
Could you confirm?

No, modded drivers are no longer necessary if you run RSTe. On a side note, I have not been able to install in anything but legacy mode to get TRIM on C600 and SSD's in RAID; but BondJamesBond says he can. I tested everywhich way but loose and could not get TRIM unless installed in Legacy mode.

Have you also some issues with SLI ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 (or other GTX7...) and CSM disabled?
Regards.

I did not in my setup (2*ASUS GTX780-3GD5 SLI GEN 2); just no TRIM SSD's in RAID.

[LiveOrDie]

pivert110 wrote:
Hi all, thank you for your replies. So, I don't need "modded drivers" to enable trim Raid 0 for my SSD?
Could you confirm?
Have you also some issues with SLI ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 (or other GTX7...) and CSM disabled?
Regards.

No just download and instal intels RST Drivers doing so will enable TRIM if you have set it up correctly in the bios.

[RickROG]

LiveOrDie wrote:
No just download and instal intels RST Drivers doing so will enable TRIM if you have set it up correctly in the bios.

Not for me anyways; the RSt drivers are for c200 etc. and do not-from Intel themselves, any reading done on Fernando's forum, Google search etc. and from my experience-support TRIM for SSD's in RAID on C600. I slipstream all my drivers into the ISO-RSTe in one and RSt in the other. I tried RSt with CSM disabled, enabled with UEFI first, UEFI and Legacy in CSM settings. All fresh installs and was not able to get TRIM for my SSD's in RAID no matter what until I went Legacy only and RSTe which I am running now-of course it is always set to "other OS " also.
So, I am wandering with all the negative experience I and anybody on Fernando's forum have had with RSt drivers-which OROM is used to set up the RAID array does not matter either way-how are you able to get TRIM for SSD's in RAID using the RSt drivers?