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.

[jyotidhami]

RickROG wrote:
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?

Like RickROG, I cannot get trim working in Raid0 using any version of Rste or IRST (oproms/drivers). I check it using Trim Check .06 and it clearly states that its not working. How are the rest claiming the get it to work? Please share your experiences. I have not tried goong legacy and rste like rickrog suggested but what will be the disadvantage if i go this route? Besides faster boot up time using uefi, is there any real world disadvantage goong legacy?

Guys for the ones that got trim working using rst or rste, please share how u got it to work. I tried for hours using different combinations of bios, rste drivers/oroms, irst drivers/oroms but none seem to work. I can see that trim is enable in os but when I check it using trim check .06 it tells me that Trim is not working.

Thanks!

[RickROG]

Go Legacy only; trust me there is no real world difference in OS performance-just boot time, a little longer in Legacy only vs CSM disabled or UEFI only, but, far from intolerable. Any other than Legacy only and the first time you use Windows "Optimize Drives" (TRIM for SSD) on your RAID SSD's it will disable itself immediately and nothing short of a reinstall in Legacy only wil get it working. Of course the system must be rebooted after TRIM is initialized to finalize the process at which time trimcheck-0.6 will report a successful TRIM operation.
As far as I am able to tell it is hit or miss which driver /OROM set provides the best performance/benchmarks. I am not a benchmark entusiast and do not run them-do not feel the need. However a thorough reading here: http://www.win-raid.com/t2f23-Intel-R-RST-RSTe-Drivers-newest-v-v-WHQL.html will allow you to make an informed decision. I am running RSTe_v4.0.0.1040 WHQL with no concerns.

[jyotidhami]

RickROG wrote:
Go Legacy only; trust me there is no real world difference in OS performance-just boot time, a little longer in Legacy only vs CSM disabled or UEFI only, but, far from intolerable. Any other than Legacy only and the first time you use Windows "Optimize Drives" (TRIM for SSD) on your RAID SSD's it will disable itself immediately and nothing short of a reinstall in Legacy only wil get it working. Of course the system must be rebooted after TRIM is initialized to finalize the process at which time trimcheck-0.6 will report a successful TRIM operation.
As far as I am able to tell it is hit or miss which driver /OROM set provides the best performance/benchmarks. I am not a benchmark entusiast and do not run them-do not feel the need. However a thorough reading here: http://www.win-raid.com/t2f23-Intel-R-RST-RSTe-Drivers-newest-v-v-WHQL.html will allow you to make an informed decision. I am running RSTe_v4.0.0.1040 WHQL with no concerns.

Thanks RickROG! Queation for you. I am also running a similar setup like yours with quad sli 690 gtx's and r4e of course. Can you tell me whats the best route I should go about going legacy only. Should I disable CSM and choose legacy only or choose legacy only with CSM and secure boot set to other OS? Please let me know what your settings are on above. I know you don't run benchmarks but I am a gamer. Will I see any loss in perfoance due to going legacy and RSTe? Thanks again!!

[RickROG]

CSM enabled>Legacy Only, Secure Boot>Other OS; I am a gamer also; this rig I built is used almost exclusively for gaming-FPS. Fernando's forum in the link posted previously is where I go to make an informed decision. I am running the latest RSTe and RSt OROM's, CPU microcodes, etc. thanks to BoltsForBreakfast initially and, now, I just use the UBU tool here: http://www.win-raid.com/t154f16-Tool-quot-UEFI-BIOS-Updater-quot-UBU.html to include all the latest in my BIOS flash. I do not know the difference between RSt and RSTe using SSD's in RAID on the C600 because I will not permit any combination to run that does not allow TRIM in RAID on the C600, RIVE. I could run on and rant about this Intel shortfall, but, what's the point-a subject already beaten to death every which way but loose.
I'm running 3.8.0.1029 RSTe OROM/4.0.0.1040 WHQL RAID drivers-all my drivers are slipsreamed into the install, from USB formatted in NTFS, 13.1.0.2126 RSt OROM & EFI-which I never use (good for SSD in AHCI only ).
I have not had any real world performance issues at all running anything I choose to run at Max settings on everything and anything-including Office 2010 x64 ( I do not and will not own TitanFall or Watchdogs-not my bag...). Of course mileage will vary because amount of memory>compatability, setup, what processes you have running in the background etc., etc. ie: iTunes is a huge resource hog and from what I see on my daughter's computer tries to take over your system. If this is installed I'm sure performance suffers becuase it uses up a lot of resource in background processes even when not loaded. Just an example......:)

[jyotidhami]

RickROG wrote:
CSM enabled>Legacy Only, Secure Boot>Other OS; I am a gamer also; this rig I built is used almost exclusively for gaming-FPS. Fernando's forum in the link posted previously is where I go to make an informed decision. I am running the latest RSTe and RSt OROM's, CPU microcodes, etc. thanks to BoltsForBreakfast initially and, now, I just use the UBU tool here: http://www.win-raid.com/t154f16-Tool-quot-UEFI-BIOS-Updater-quot-UBU.html to include all the latest in my BIOS flash. I do not know the difference between RSt and RSTe using SSD's in RAID on the C600 because I will not permit any combination to run that does not allow TRIM in RAID on the C600, RIVE. I could run on and rant about this Intel shortfall, but, what's the point-a subject already beaten to death every which way but loose.
I'm running 3.8.0.1029 RSTe OROM/4.0.0.1040 WHQL RAID drivers-all my drivers are slipsreamed into the install, from USB formatted in NTFS, 13.1.0.2126 RSt OROM & EFI-which I never use (good for SSD in AHCI only ).
I have not had any real world performance issues at all running anything I choose to run at Max settings on everything and anything-including Office 2010 x64 ( I do not and will not own TitanFall or Watchdogs-not my bag...). Of course mileage will vary because amount of memory>compatability, setup, what processes you have running in the background etc., etc. ie: iTunes is a huge resource hog and from what I see on my daughter's computer tries to take over your system. If this is installed I'm sure performance suffers becuase it uses up a lot of resource in background processes even when not loaded. Just an example......:)

RickROG,

I followed your settinggs exactly as you suggested but I cannot get trim working when I use Trim check .06 on my sata 2 raid 0 drives (2x corsair force gt 240). I can confirm that trim is working on my second raid 0 that is on sata 3g (2 x samsung pro) that I use for games etc. The OS is on sata 2. Is there a trick to activating trim in windows 8.1 64bit. OS of course was a clean install. Using bios 4901 with all updated modules and microcodes. I've tried revooting after initiating trim check tool .06, waited 20 secs, 20mins etc but it still tells me that Trim is not working. Can you please help me out here? I also tried running optimize drive before i ran the tool. Thanks in advance

[RickROG]

jyotidhami wrote:
RickROG,

I followed your settinggs exactly as you suggested but I cannot get trim working when I use Trim check .06 on my sata 2 raid 0 drives (2x corsair force gt 240). I can confirm that trim is working on my second raid 0 that is on sata 3g (2 x samsung pro) that I use for games etc. The OS is on sata 2. Is there a trick to activating trim in windows 8.1 64bit. OS of course was a clean install. Using bios 4901 with all updated modules and microcodes. I've tried revooting after initiating trim check tool .06, waited 20 secs, 20mins etc but it still tells me that Trim is not working. Can you please help me out here? I also tried running optimize drive before i ran the tool. Thanks in advance

I've never run SSD's on SATA 2 and use BIOS 4206, but, being the Intel SATA 2 ports, then, I do not know why it is not working. I would try posting on Fernando's forum and see what he comes up with.....has helped many in the past: here http://www.win-raid.com/t2f23-Intel-R-RST-RSTe-Drivers-newest-v-v-WHQL.html . It is perplexing that the OS recognizes the logical drives as SSD and allows TRIM-which are neither primary or active partitions, but, will not recognize the active, primary OS partition to allow TRIM.
There is no trick; Windows either allows TRIM or not based on the setup and drivers. Sorry I can not be of more help; I only know what I have tried and through trial and error what works for me.

I posted here for you: http://www.win-raid.com/t444f23-Trim-Not-Working-When-I-Use-Trim-Check-On-Sata.html#msg6960

Keep track, subscribe to the thread and see what he and others have to say. You may want to include your system specs...MB, Memory, CPU, OROM/Drivers versions.

[HiVizMan]

You do not need modded drivers to run RAID.

[RickROG]

@jyotidhami

Go here 2nd post: http://www.win-raid.com/t444f23-Trim-Not-Working-When-I-Use-Trim-Check-On-Sata.html#msg6963

@ RickSteele:
I am rather surprised about your report, that the TrimCheck Tool cannot detect TRIM activity within your DEV_2822 RAID0 array, when the SSDs are connected to Intel SATA2 ports. Usually TRIM should natively work within DEV_2822 RAID0 arrays of X79 chipset mainboards.
This is what I suggest to do:
As first step do the manual TRIM test by using a Hex Editor (look >here<). The TrimCheck Tool cannot detect very low TRIM activities, but the manual test can.
If even the manual TRIM test method should show negative results (no Zeros or FFs, where the test file was), I recommend to insert the "Universally TRIM modified" variant of the currently used Intel RAID ROM version into your mainboard BIOS, flash it, enable CSM and force the Option ROM messages. Then re-run the TrimCheck Tool.
If you can post the SataDriver GUID you are using, I will post the "Universally TRIM modified" SataDriver version as well.

[jyotidhami]

RickROG wrote:
@jyotidhami

Go here 2nd post: http://www.win-raid.com/t444f23-Trim-Not-Working-When-I-Use-Trim-Check-On-Sata.html#msg6963

Got it to work! I clean formatted all four of my ssd's, used ubu to update all modules and followed your intructions and it works on both sata 2 as well as sata 3 drives. Thanks so much RickROG for your time and effort in helping me out. If it wasnt for your post about RSTe and legacy, I would have not been able to get the trim to work. I actually do not notice any difference in boot up time compared to uefi. System seems to be stable. Now I just have to reinstall all my games and not worry about trim slowing my ssds overtime.

Thanks again Rick! I truly appreciate it!!

[RickROG]

Great! 🙂