Problem with p55a-ud4 and ocz vertex 3 SSD

[Vinayako]

Hello
Im new here

Im just wondering is there any compatibility issues with the p55a-ud4 mb and SSD drives in Sata 3 slots?

I got a new ocz vertex 3 120gb SSD yester day and i sucseeded update firmware but when i have it plugged in as boot disk and i start my computor it starts reading from cd drive if there is a drive and after it it just reboots itself and looking for a cd again and then it boots normal.
i have the SSD in ACHI mode

is there something anyone else have problem with?

and the marvel drivers wont install eighter:(

And forgot to mention that with my HDD its not rebootin itself only with SSD :S anyone who knows why?

sorry for bad english:P

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

There is no compatibility problems but the Marvell 9128 controller failed as far as performing well as a SATA3 port manager. It just can't handle the throughput and so it is a waste of time trying to boot from it as it will just drop the connection or not find the drive in the first place  or you can end up with corrupt data. Whatever outcome it is not good. I would suggest that as the Intel ICH10R (Southbridge) is the fastest on the motherboard that it is used for the SSD. If used as a boot drive SATA2_0 is the best port to use. Set that controller to AHCI mode and put the optical drive on the Marvell controller and set that to IDE mode for the most robust setup. If necessary make the necessary changes in the registry to change modes before booting.

[Vinayako]

Hello again!:)

I tried what you suggested and thankfully it worked direkt!:)

So i just have to thank you for the help!

but 1 more question.

is there any speed difference between the sata 3 and sata 2 if the ssd is made for sata 3 but compatible with sata 2 also?

Thanks again for the help!:D

[Dark Mantis]

There is on the newer motherboard ranges where the SATA3 actually performs properly but not on the board that you have. In fact from my own testing I have found that the SATA2 Intel controlled ports are actually faster than the SATA3 ports.

Glad to hear it is all working for you now.

[Vinayako]

yes but i only have 1 ssd will get number 2 today and im gona have my games on that drive.

but now it says that my ssd is on disk 3 and backup hdd is non disk 0 i tried to change the sata cables on the motherboard but it doesent work.

is it because i have it on AHCI mode?

and 1 more thing there is drivers on gigabytes site for just the marvel controller but will it work?
thanks

[Dark Mantis]

Don't worry about what ports your computer reports the disks to be attached to. It is all to do with Gigabyte's old way of showing IDE even when things are SATA. AS long as you have physically installed the drives on the correct ports you will be fine.

I would just advise you to totally forget the Marvell ports unless you want to run an optical drive.

[Vinayako]

okey but i got the advice to get an pci-e card with sata 3 controller will it work?

thanks

[Dark Mantis]

Yes there is no reason to believe that an addon card for SATA3 wouldn't work fine. Just be carefull about which one you invest in as some are better than others. I should read a few reviews.

[Tinker]

Just a bit of added info though using different Gigabyte Mobo. I have disabled ports 6&7 nothing connected.
I no longer install any Marvell drivers though the G/byte workaround driver may be ok. Also had to disable
USB 3 ports as it was slowing down USB 2. Again no drivers installed.

I'm using OCZ Vertex 3 series max iops edition 120gb. Purchased, before I was aware of Marvell problems.
a Manhatten PCI Express add on card at least it has fast boot up time but may not be the best.
Much faster with SSD drive than intel ports. Have found with card drive speed is better in 2nd x16 slot which
is unused. Also an oddity on card port 2 is faster as only use a single plug in drive.

Only had my SSD about a week, I wasn't aware of a fimware update though is working OK, not tried
AHCI as yet.

Regards Tinker.

[Dark Mantis]

When you upgrade it to run in AHCI mode you should find quite a speed boost then as well. You can also enable NCQ once changed.