Configure SATA as IDE

Discussions about anything Computer Hardware Related. Overclocking, underclocking and talk about the latest or even the oldest technology. PCA Reviews feedback
Post Reply
User avatar
Executioner
Life Member
Posts: 10354
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2000 11:34 am
Location: Woodland, CA USA

Configure SATA as IDE

Post by Executioner »

Just wondering if anyone uses the default: configure SATA as IDE? Advantages or disadvantages?

I know on my xp system, I had an issue getting the ACHI drivers installed (once I found the right ones).
User avatar
FlyingPenguin
Flightless Bird
Posts: 33161
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2000 11:13 am
Location: Central Florida
Contact:

Post by FlyingPenguin »

On a regular spinning hard drive there is MAYBE a slight performance hit using IDE emulation.

However on an SSD you will suffer a BIG performance hit so ACHI is recommended.

It's also a bit risky switching an installed OS from IDE emulation to ACHI. If you don't pre-install the ACHI drive first before switching it in BIOS, the OS may become unbootable.

Any new system you build from this point on should be configured for ACHI and most mobos come that way.

The only other issue is that older bootable CD utilities like Acronis didn't properly support ACHI. I think Acronis supports it since the 2010 version, although 2010 does have some problems with a few Dells I've used it on in ACHI mode. I know Acronis 2012 is fully ACHI compatible.

Spinrite is another one. If Spinrite can't see your drives in ACHI mode, then you need to temporarily switch to IDE Emulation. Just make sure you switch back or your OS may get messed up.

Steve Gibson has mentioned that he intends to upgrade Spinrite to 6.1 which will natively support ACHI properly, and will also have better support for USB.
---
“The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.” - Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez

Image
Post Reply