Enable AHCI with OCZ Agility 3 on P55 US3L motherboard

[mroshaw]

Hi all!

I'm trying to enable AHCI with my Agility 3 on a Gigabyte P55 US3L motherboard using Windows 7 Ultimate 64. I've upgraded the MB to the latest BIOS version (FH) using the Gigabtye @BIOS tool. I've also updated all my Intel Drivers via the Intel web site driver tool and I've enabled the Windows AHCI drivers using the well known registry hack. Finally, I've downloaded and installed the Gigabyte SATA2 driver package for my MB from the Gigabyte website (though my understanding is that these are specifically for the controller hosting the GSATA2_x ports).

Here are the scenarios that I've tried:

• With the Agility 3 plugged into the SATA2_0 port, with IDE enabled in the BIOS, Windows 7 boots just fine - experience index for Disk is 7.2
• With the Agility 3 plugged into the GSATA2_0 port, that's the Gigabtye SATA port, with AHCI enabled for the onboard ports in the BIOS, Windows boots fine but the experience index is lower, 6.8,  than if I boot in IDE mode. AS SSD says that the drive is using the 'RAID' drivers
• With the Agility 3 plugged into the SATA2_0 port, that's the Intel SATA port, with AHCI enabled in the BIOS, I just get a 'Loading Operating System...' message.

Everything I try, I end up with: "Loading Operating System..." which just sits there indefinitely.

I have two additional SATA HDDs, two Blu Ray DVD readers / writers in SATA ports and a DVD re-writer in an IDE port. Could these have anything to do with the problem?

I've tried downloading the Intel Rapid Storage Drivers, but on installing I get an error stating "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software"

Can someone tell me how I get the Agility 3 to boot with AHCI enabled via the Intel SATA2_0 port, as in scenario 3 above, on this particular MB?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

I would suggest that the best method would be to remove all the drives apart from the SSD on SATA2_0 and the optical drive on the Marvell/GSATA  port. Next select the Intel SATA2_0 port controller to run in  AHCI mode and the optical drivers controller to use IDE mode.

Next install Windows from new. Do a complete instal not a repair.

Now you should find your system is running fine. You can now add the other drives configured how it suits best.

I don't know if you realise but the Intel ICH10R Southbridge port is the fastest one on the motherboard that is why I advise attaching your SSD to it.

[mroshaw]

Hello and my thanks for your prompt and detailed reply!

I see exactly where you're coming from and your suggestion makes the utmost sense. However...

Alas, I've spent the last 2 weeks rebuilding this machine on the new Agility 3 SSD - a re-install of Windows 7 is really a last resort for me, if possible.

Is there absolutely any way you can think of for me to get around this without a rebuild?

My thanks once again!

[Dark Mantis]

To be honest the short answer is no, but I can make it less daunting maybe. You don't have to actually rebuild the machine but just change where the drives connect to the relevant ports. Initially disconnect all the drives but leave them in situ. Now connect up the SSD to SATA2_0 and the optical drive that you intend to install Windows from to the GSATA port. Next go into the BIOS and make the necessary settings (AHCI, NCQ, CD drive as primary etc) Now just install Windows and then change the Primary bot device to the SSD. It should then boot into the OS.

After that you can connect up your other drives as you see fit.

[mroshaw]

Thank you so much again for the response.

I've been obsessed with getting this working for weeks but I guess I'd probably never notice the speed difference anyway! I think I'll wait until I'm forced to do a re-install and then follow your instructions.

Thanks again and all the best! 

[Dark Mantis]

I would have to agree. When using the machine oin an everyday environment the speed difference probably wouldn't be that noticable. As you say it is something that can be done later iof everything is working fine at the moment. 

[Tinker]

An easy workaround would be to add a PCI Express card SATA 3 if you have spare slot. Am assuming
the Agility 3 is SATA 3. With the OCZ Vertex 3 series max iops 120 gb get 300MB/s write, 425MB/s read.
Not using AHCI. Using Express card as plug & play without added drivers.

Much faster than standard port.


Regards tinker.

[Dark Mantis]

You also don't need to worry about the drives saturating the SATA bus which is getting more common with the fast throughput of the newer drives.

[Tinker]

Glad I didn't misread situation DM. 


Regards tinker.

[Dark Mantis]

Purely as a matter of interest Tinker have you tried with the proper drivers and if so what difference did they make ?

[Tinker]

Think we discussed this during USB3 problems DM. USB 3 is disabled no drivers installed. Onboard Marvell is disabled.
The Express card I'm using has Marvell chip so tried to avoid driver conflicts. Tried 2 different versions of Marvell drivers from
French Forum including last update. Using ATTO test & latest Marvell driver found much higher read speed but only on start
of scale testing small files. After that scores were erratic & tailed right off on larger files. A system restore leaves you with
overall lower scores. The best overall read/ write & highest scoring of which read & write were nearly on par using SATA 3
WD Black 500gb & clean install no driver added. Only slight difference between Intel port, best on Express card.

SSD was a different story, far higher scores on Express card versus Intel. Have been told, though can't confirm this that
Intel influenced higher read than write as they think it's more important. If you check my earlier post vast difference on SSD,
read/write scores. Win experience on drive 7.9

So after lot of wasted time & testing on a Manhatten PCIe card & GA-X58A-UD3R for me a clean install, no drivers gives me
the best drive scores on Platter but didn't mess with SSD as cloned & perfoming ok. This of course is my setup & have to be
very careful not to impair USB 2 speed. I say no drivers but obviously am running on Win 7 x64  pre installed plug & play driver.


Regards tinker.

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks for the reminder Tinker. Have you tried disabling the C3, C6 states in the BIOS ?

[Tinker]

Will have to take you up on that tomorrow as above my head & late DM but wanted to save post so
more info appreciated.


Regards tinker.

[Dark Mantis]

The settings will be under Advanced Core Control and are wait states. Try disabling them.

[Tinker]

The only thing I can find DM is: Advanced CPU core feature. C/3 C/6 /C7  State support disabled.

Could you advise if this is what you were referring to & how it helps. All 3 settings are under one heading
so all are enabled or disabled no single choice.


Regards tinker.