Fernandos Win-RAID Forum

Login

Storage Drivers - BIOS Modding

New visitor? Signup now!

Portal

Forum

Login

Register

Picture Gallery

Calendar

Search...

Wiki

Teneriffa
von Frankfurt am Main
ab

122
Fernando's Win-RAID Forum (Storage Drivers - BIOS Modding) Important Drivers (AHCI/RAID, NVMe, USB etc.) Specific: Intel AHCI/RAID
Drivers Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?
Page 1 of 22

Page

...

22

Page

Jump to forum

Topic settings

| Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Fernando

@ all users with an Intel AHCI or RAID system

Preliminary note:
Since Intel is offering a big variety of different Intel AHCI and RAID driver versions, which belong to different
development branches (MSM, RST, RSTe), it is not easy for the users to find the "best suitable" one out of them.
This thread may help you to "find the needle in the haysack".

Fuerteventura
von Frankfurt am Main
ab

135
Posts:

6813

Registered since:

04.27.2013

Location:

Germany

Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Since there is no Intel AHCI/RAID driver available, which is suitable or may be even perfect for all different Intel SATA
Controllers, Operating Systems and driver installation/integration procedures, I am offering a variety of Intel AHCI/RAID
drivers, which belong to different development branches (MSM, RST and RSTe).
To make the selection of the appropriate driver for your special system easier for you, I have tried to list the
advantages/disadvantages of the different Intel AHCI/RAID drivers development branches:
1. Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager (MSM) drivers
(first Intel AHCI/RAID driver series, outdated since several years)
Advantages:
best chances for a successful integration into Windows XP, if the user doesn't know the exact Intel SATA
AHCI/RAID Controller specification of his system
no problems by using any Virtualisation Software instead of doing a clean install of the OS
Disadvantages:
suboptimal performance, especially with actual hardware components
no TRIM support (only relevant for SSD users)
outdated driver model line, no support of the newest Intel Chipsets
2. "conventional" Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (RST) drivers
(using just 1 driver named iaStor.sys)
Advantages:
very good WRITE performance, especially on RAID0 systems with enabled Write-Back Caching
TRIM support (only relevant for SSD users)
evoke a very stable storage function and usage
Disadvantages:
further development has been stopped by Intel
some features of the newest Intel chipsets are not supported, may not even work with 8- and 9-Series
Chipsets
increased chance of a driver integration failure (more sensitive to any mistake/unsure handling than the MSM
drivers)
3. actual Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (enhanced RST) drivers
(using an additional SCSI Filter driver, should better be named RST(e) drivers)
Advantages:
do support all new features of the actual Intel chipsets
TRIM support (only relevant for SSD users)
continuous further development by Intel
Disadvantages:
limited support of older chipsets
RAID0 usage with older chipsets: much less performant than the latest RST drivers

General personal statements:

1. The newest drivers are not always the best. Even if they should be the best for some systems, this is not
automaticly valid for all hardware configurations.
2. Users with an older Intel chipset should always keep in mind, that the chipset manufacturer Intel only develops
drivers for the newest and for the upcoming chipsets and not for the older ones. Although many of the new drivers
are backwards compatible with older AHCI and RAID Controllers, they are not or may not be optimized for them. A
successful installation of a new Intel RAID driver onto an old Intel platform RAID system does not automaticly mean,
that it will flawlessly work.
3. The choice of the "best" (=fastest) Intel AHCI/RAID driver is more difficult for RAID than for AHCI
users.
According to my experience there are no big differences regarding the performance of the various Intel AHCI/RAID
driver versions, if they are used in AHCI mode, wheras the differences are remarkable for RAID systems (for details
look >here<).
4. The stability of a system is at least as important as the performance. Especially users, who have installed the OS
onto a single or RAIDed SSD, will realize stability issues, but not minimal performance differences, which are shown
only by benchmark tests.

Haftungsausschluss

My favorite Intel AHCI/RAID drivers

for Intel systems from ICH7R/M up
(last updated: 01/27/2016)

These are the Intel AHCI/RAID drivers I recommend to use:

1. Intel

RST drivers v11.2.0.1006 WHQL dated 05/30/2012

These latest "classical" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers do support all Windows Operating Systems from W2k/XP up to Win10
and are recommended for the following systems:
AHCI mode: Good choice for all Intel AHCI systems from ICH7 up to 5-Series Chipsets
RAID mode: Probably best choice for all Intel RAID systems from ICH7R up to 7-Series Chipsets (look >here<)
Best matching Intel RAID ROM: v11.2.0.1527 (no Intel EFI RaidDriver available)
Download links: Look >here<.
Comments:
These are the latest "classical" Intel RST AHCI/RAID drivers, which are managing the Intel SATA AHCI/RAID
Controller with just 1 single driver named iaStor.sys.
"TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI RAID "SataDriver" from v11 up is
present within the BIOS).
Advantages:
a) They are running absolutely stable and will give the users AHCI/RAID system a very good performance
(especially if being used with an SSD RAID0 configuration).
b) They are usable with all Windows Operating Systems from XP (32/64bit) up.
Disadvantages:
a) Not all features of the newest Intel chipsets are supported.
b) A matching EFI RAID BIOS module is not available (only valid for RAID users).

2. Intel

RST(e) drivers v12.9.4.1000 WHQL dated 04/24/2014

Recommended for all Intel 5- or 6-Series Chipset systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7
(32/64bit) up.
Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v12.9.0.2006
Download links: Look >here<.
Comments:
These are the latest Intel AHCI/RAID drivers, which were optimized for 5-7 Series Chipsets.
Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named
iaStorF.sys.
"TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI RAID "SataDriver" from v11 up is
present within the BIOS).

3. Intel

RST(e) drivers v13.1.0.1058 WHQL dated 05/28/2014

Recommended for Intel 7-/8-/9-Series Chipset systems and for X79/X99 Chipset systems, usable with all Windows
Operating Systems from Win7 (32/64bit) up.
Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v13.1.0.2126
Download links: Look >here<.
Comments:
These are the latest Intel AHCI/RAID drivers, which natively do fully support 7-Series and C600/C600+ Series
Chipsets (the latter ones only in AHCI mode unless having set the BIOS to "RST").
As the later released v13.2.4.1000 ones these Intel RST(e) drivers v13.1.0.1058 are well developed and have a
quite similar good performance and stability.
Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers have an additional SCSI filter driver named
iaStorF.sys.
"TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI "RaidDriver" from v11 up is present
within the BIOS).

4. Intel

RST(e) drivers v14.8.1.1043 WHQL dated 11/17/2015

Recommended for Intel 8-, 9- and 100-Series Chipset systems, usable with all Windows Operating Systems from
Win7 (32/64bit) up.
Best matching Intel RAID ROM resp. EFI "RaidDriver" BIOS modules: v14.8.2.2397
Download links: Look >here<.
Comments:
Although these are currently the latest Intel RST(e) drivers, they are already well developed (contrary to the
previous v14 series drivers). They give modern Intel Chipset systems a good performance and stability.
Contrary to the "classical" Intel RST drivers the RST(e) drivers are working with an additional SCSI filter driver
named iaStorF.sys (not valid for Win8/Win8.1).
"TRIM in RAID0" is supported (Precondition: An actual Intel RAID ROM or EFI RAID "SataDriver" from v11 up is
present within the BIOS).

Remark:
Regarding the usage of the modified drivers you should look into the start post of >this< thread.

To make is easier for you to find the Intel RST/RST(e) driver, which I recommend for your
special AHCI or RAID system, here is a table:
Note: If you should find a better AHCI/RAID driver for your special Intel chipset, please let us know it!

Intel Chipset/Southbridge:
Intel ICH7R/M, ICH8R/M and
ICH9R/M

Recommended AHCI driver:

Recommended RAID
driver:

Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL only for Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL
ICH7R/M and ICH9M
modded Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 for all of
them

Intel P45 and X58 Chipset/ICH10R

Intel RST(e) v11.7.4.1001 WHQL

Intel 5-Series Chipsets (like P55)

Intel RST(e) v11.7.4.1001 WHQL or

Intel RST(e) v12.9.4.1000 WHQL

Intel 6-Series Chipsets (like P67 or

Z68)

Intel RST(e) v12.9.4.1000 WHQL

Intel 7-Series Chipsets (like Z77)

Intel RST(e) v13.1.0.1058 WHQL

Intel 8- and 9-Series Chipsets (like Intel

Z87 or Z97)
Intel
Intel 100-Series Chipsets (like Z170) Intel
Intel X79 Chipsets
Intel

Intel X99 Chipsets

RST(e)
RST(e)
RST(e)
RST(e)

v13.1.0.1058
v13.2.4.1000
v14.6.1.1030
v13.1.0.1058

WHQL or
WHQL
WHQL
WHQL

Intel RST(e) v13.1.0.1058 WHQL or

Intel RST(e) v14.8.1.1043 WHQL

Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL (best

performance) or
Intel RST(e) v11.7.4.1001 WHQL
(newer)
Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL (best
performance) or
Intel RST(e) v12.9.4.1000 WHQL
(much newer)
Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL (best
performance) or
Intel RST(e) v12.9.4.1000 WHQL
(much newer)
Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL (best
performance) or
Intel RST(e) v13.1.0.1058 WHQL
(much newer)
Intel RST(e) v13.2.4.1000 WHQL or
Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL
Intel RST(e) v14.6.1.1030 WHQL
Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 WHQL (best
performance) or
Intel RST(e) v13.1.0.1058 WHQL
(much newer)
Note: Both options require the RST
BIOS mode.
Intel RST(e) v13.1.0.1058 WHQL or
Intel RST(e) v14.8.1.1043 WHQL
Note: Both options require the RST
BIOS mode.

Have fun!
Fernando

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Fernando

Since the Intel RST(e) drivers of the v12 branch primarily are designed for the Intel 8-Series Chipsets, I have
added yesterday the very stable running Intel RST(e) drivers v11.7.4.1001 as a good alternative for users with an
Intel 5/6/7-Series Chipset system.

Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

icedon

Hey Fernando,
does it make sense to use older Intel oROMs for z77 Chipsest because 12.7 oROMs are optimized for Z87 Chipsets?
What is your opinion on this matter? Which oROMs (and subsequently RST Drivers) for Z77 Chipsets do you
recommend? Stability, performance?
My usage scenario is: HDD RAID and SSD standalone.

Thanks,
Don
Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Fernando

@ icedon:
Hello Don,
welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

Posts:

6813

Registered since:

04.27.2013

Location:

Germany

You are right, that the Intel has developed the RST(e) drivers and RAID OROMs v12 primarily for the 8-Series
chipset systems, but both are running fine with Z77 systems too.
On the other hand the Z77 RAID user 100PIER reported >here<, that he got the best performance with the
combination RST v11.0.0.1339 OROM/RST(e) v12.7.0.122 drivers. This dshows, that it is possible to use the RAID
OROM and the RAID drivers from different development branches.
Nevertheless I recommend to use a RAID OROM version, which belongs to the same branch as the RAID drivers.
Simple reason: Intel develops the RAID OROM and the RAID drivers together and optimizes the use of them this
way.
Regards
Fernando

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

kpo6969

Hey Fernando,
What would you recommend for my set-up (non-raid) for best achi performance?
Asrock Extreme4 bios 2.8 (official)
raid rom is still 11.2.0.1527
1 ssd windows 8 (8.1), files and programs
1 ssd for files
1 hdd for backup (file history and system image)
Thank you
Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Fernando

@ kpo6969:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum!
Zitat von

kpo6969 im Beitrag #7

What would you recommend for my set-up (non-raid) for best achi performance?
Asrock Extreme4 bios 2.8 (official)
Posts:

6813

Registered since:

04.27.2013

Location:

Germany

I would recommend fr your Z77 AHCI system

either to install the Intel RST driver v11.2.0.1006 (best suitable with your current Intel RAID ROM
v11.2.0.1527)
or to update the Intel RAID ROM to v12.7.0.1936 and to install the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7.0.1022.
The performance differences between both combos are not great in AHCI mode.
If I were you, I would choose the actual v12.7 combo, because this way you have an AHCI system, which is
prepared for the newest and the upcoming generation of Intel's RST(e) drivers.
Regards
Fernando

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

kpo6969

Thanks for the reply.

Should I stick with just the driver or go with the whole RST set-up with the 12.7.0.1022?

Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Fernando

Zitat von

kpo6969 im Beitrag #9

Should I stick with just the driver or go with the whole RST set-up with the 12.7.0.1022?
I would just install the driver(s) from within the Device Manager.

Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

gabecubano14

Hey, Fernando. I appreciate your thread on this a lot. I have an asus sabertooth z77. so would you recommend all
z77s to the 11.2.0.1006? I'm using that right now. Also if I have an asus sabertooth z77 do i have an intel ROM?
How do i tell what version i have? And what version would be good for 11.2.0.1006?
thanks,
gabe

Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

mnmlix

hi ;)
you have installed the rapid storade matrix technologie (small hdd icon in your taskbar with a green checkmark) ?
... if yes, check HELP there and click on SYSREPORT! :)

Show info

reply

| RE: Which are the "best" Intel AHCI/RAID drivers?

Fernando

@ gabecubano14:
Hello Gabe,
welcome at Win-RAID Forum!
Zitat von

gabecubano14 im Beitrag #9

I have an asus sabertooth z77. so would you recommend all z77s to the 11.2.0.1006?

Posts:

6813

Registered since:

04.27.2013

Location:

Germany

No, for Z77 users the RST(e) drivers v12.7.x.xxxx are a very good option as well. These drivers are more actual
and will be optimized further on by Intel. The v11.1/v11.2 branch development has been closed in July last year.
Zitat von gabecubano14

Also if I have an asus sabertooth z77 do i have an intel ROM?

Yes!
Zitat von gabecubano14

How do i tell what version i have?

1. Enter the BIOS and set the Intel SATA ports temporarily to "RAID" > Save and reboot.
2. Hit CTRL+I while rebooting. Then you will see the Intel RAID ROM version of your BIOS.
3. Enter the BIOS again and reset the Intel SATA Controller to "AHCI" > Save and reboot.
Zitat von gabecubano14

And what version would be good for 11.2.0.1006?

Please read the start post of this thread. There you will find the answer.
Regards
Fernando

reply

| Benchmark comparison of my favorite Intel RAID driver/OROM combinations

Fernando

Note: This post has been updated at 07/30/2013 by adding the results with the Combo RST
Driver v12.7.1.1000 WHQL + RST(e) RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936.
The last 3 days I have done a comparison of the following 3 Intel RAID drivers/OROM combinations:

Posts:

6813

Registered 04.27.2013
since:
Location:

1. Intel's RST driver v11.2.0.1006 WHQL dated 05/30/2012 (= last "classical" driver named iaStor.sys) with the
recommended Intel RAID ROM v11.2.0.1527
2. Intel's RST(e) driver v11.7.4.1001 WHQL dated 03/05/2013 (= last Intel RST(e) driver of the v11 Series) with
the recommended Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702
3. Intel's newest RST(e) drivers v12.7.1.1000 WHQL dated 07/10/2013 and v12.8.0.1008 Beta dated 07/08/2013
with the recommended Intel RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936

Germany

This was my test system:

Mainboard: ASUS P8Z77-V
Drives: 2x128 GB Crucial M4 SSDs as RAID0 (Stripe size: 128 KB)
OS: Windows 8.1 x64 Preview
To make the conditions for all 3 test combinations as similar as possible, I have done the following preparations for all 3
candidates:
1. The first step was breaking the old RAID array and to do a secure erase of both Crucial M4 SSDs by using the bootable "Parted
Magic" CD dated 02/28/2013.
2. After having flashed the BIOS containing the desired Intel RAID ROM version, I created a new Intel RAID0 array by using the
related Intel RAID ROM Utility.
3. The next step was a clean install of Win8.1 x64 Preview onto the freshly created RAID0 array. I created a new partition for the
OS with a size of 120 GB, the rest of the RAID0 array was left unformatted.
4. Once the OS was up and automaticly customized after having entered my Microsoft account, I have done the following:
installation of .NET Framework v3.5 (needed for the later installation of the RST(e) Software),
installation of all available Windows Updates inclusive driver updates for the Intel HD4000 graphics adapter and the Intel
Management Engine,
installation of the related Intel RST/RST(e) Drivers & Software Set by running the installer,
inactivation of the Windows automatic write cache clearing regarding the drive named "Intel-RAID0" from within the Device
Manager ("Properties" > "Policies" > checked both options),
activation of the option "Write-Back Caching" from within the RST Console,
deinstallation of the "Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology" from within the System Control > "Add/remove Programs" option,
change of the "Energy Options" from "Balanced" to "High Performance",
execution of the "WinSAT diskformal" command and running the "Optimizer" for drive C (where the OS was installed),
5. After having done all that I ran the AS_SSD benchmark tool and stored the results.
6. As last step I checked the TRIM activity within the RAID0 by using the TRIMCheck Tool v0.4 (waiting just 15 seconds before
reexecuting the tool) without forcing the check by any additional TRIM trigger utility.

Here are the results:

1. Combination

Intel RST driver v11.2.0.1006 WHQL + Intel RAID ROM v11.2.0.1527

Benchmark results:

TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):

2. Combination

Intel RST(e) driver v11.7.4.1001 WHQL + Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702

Benchmark results:

TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):

3. Combination

latest Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7/v12.8 + Intel RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936

a) Intel RST(e) driver v12.7.1.1000 WHQL + ROM v12.7.0.1936

Benchmark results:

TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):

b) Intel RST(e) driver v12.8.0.1008 Beta + ROM v12.7.0.1936

Benchmark results:

TRIM Check result (first try, unforced):

My Conclusions:
1. Performance:
The combination RST v11.2.0.1006/v11.2.0.1527 has the best Read Performance of my test candidates.

Regarding the Write Performance the winner is the combination RST(e) v11.7.4.1001/v11.6.0.1702.
The newest combinations RST(e) v12.7.1.1000/v12.7.0.1936 and RST(e) v12.8.0.1008/v12.7.0.1936 have the lowest Read
Performance of all the candidates, the Write Performance were similar to the combo RST(e)

v11.7.4.1001/v11.6.0.1702.
2. TRIM activity:
TRIM was active within the RAID with all combinations, but it seems, that the v12 RAID Driver/OROM combinations induce a
lower TRIM activity within the RAID0 array than the candidates of the RST/RST(e) v11 Series.
This result matches with the informations, that Intel has done some changes regarding the TRIM support, when they started
the development of the RST(e) v12 Series.

Although these test results should not be overestimated, I hope, they may help other Intel RAID users to find the "best" suitable
Intel RAID driver/OROM combination. Furthermore I expect, that the next official Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.x.xxxx will show a
better performance than the v12.7/v12.8 builds I have tested.
Regards
Fernando

reply

| RE: Benchmark comparison of my favorite Intel RAID driver/OROM combinations

CPL0

Zitat von

Fernando im Beitrag #12

This result matches with the informations, that Intel has changed the TRIM support, when they started the
development of the RST(e) v12 Series.
I would be interested in seeing that, would you give a link? Thanks.
You are probably aware of this but just in case, IIRC with the EFI drivers (11.+) there is a new ACPI entry,
supposedly regarding performance, but I know very little about this except for it's existence.

Posts:

70

Registered since:

07.11.2013

With the newer 8 series, which I do not have, there is the "Gears" ACPI to adjust C-States wrt disk I/O (Dynamic
Storage Accelerator) which if it works well should provide better performance for those who like to maximize their
power savings. If it works really well then I wonder if it could be incorporated into earlier series too.
EDIT: Oops... Seems using an empty title breaks things with the forum as well. I left the other untitled post "RE:
Boot Off Optical Drive Problem with Intel OROM 12.7.0.1936" as is FYI.
Added title "Benchmark comparison of my favorite Intel RAID driver/OROM combinations" back to this thread.
EDIT: Oh no, that should be "RE: Benchmark comparison of my favorite Intel RAID driver/OROM combinations"

reply

| RE: Benchmark comparison of my favorite Intel RAID driver/OROM combinations

Fernando

Zitat von

CPL0 im Beitrag #13

Zitat von

Fernando im Beitrag #12

This result matches with the informations, that Intel has changed the TRIM support, when they
started the development of the RST(e) v12 Series.
I would be interested in seeing that, would you give a link?
Posts:

6813

Registered since:

04.27.2013

Location:

Germany

I am sorry, but I do not remember the source where I have read about that. It was a very vague statement
anyway or maybe even just affected Intel's 8-Series Chipsets.
Anyway Intel obviously has changed some hex codes within the "TRIM in RAID0 Section" of the Intel RAID ROMs
v12.x.x.xxxx.
Here are the TRIM in RAID hex codes of the Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702:

And here is the TRIM in RAID section of the Intel RAID ROM v12.7.0.1936:

As you can see, Intel has not only added some new "Alternate DeviceIDs" of the upcoming 8-(and 9-?)Series
Chipsets, but changed some flags as well. The X79 chipset systems now have the flag "17" instead of "07".

reply

| RE: Benchmark comparison of my favorite Intel RAID driver/OROM combinations

Fernando

Since my published Benchmark results with the newest Intel RST(e) drivers v12.8.0.1008 Beta using the RAID
ROM v12.7.0.1936 were apparently inferior to the results I got with the older RAID driver/OROM combinations of
the RST/RST(e) v11 Series, I decided to add a similar test by using the Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7.0.1036 WHQL.
Meanwhile I got the results and added them to >this< post.

Show info

reply

Intel mobile QM77 RST driver for Windows 10 question.

Page 1 of 22

Page

...

How to enable AHCI/RAID on x79 in Windows XP 32-bit?

22

Page

Imprint

FAQ

Memberlist

Who is online?