Ramapge IV Black Ed. Trim Raid 0 and RAM

Hello,
I’d like to buy MB Rampage IV Black Ed. with CPU i7-4960X. I’d like to install 2xSSD Samsung Pro 840 256Go in Raid 0.
My first question is: is it now possible to run Trim with Raid 0 for this MB? Intel told me that Trim is not supported on X79 series, but I read some posts about modded bios. Is it possible today to have Trim with Raid 0 on Black Edition without modded bios? If yes, which bios version and which Intel RST version?
I read the guide about Win8 UEFI Installation but Intel told me that the x79 MB doesn’t support Trim in Raid 0, even when I told that I’ll install the RST 12.8.0.1016. Did someone test Trim with Raid on Rampage IV Black Ed. with Intel Rst drivers? What about the Bios of Rampage IV BE? Does it allow the Trim for Raid? Which Bios version? I don’t want to have doubt about Trim with Raid 0. Could you help me?
And how to verify that Trim are working? Is still the HxD - Freeware good to test Trim under Win8.1? Sorry, but I’m newbie about new configuration. I only know Raid on HDD and on older motherboard.
My new config. will be on Win 8.1 64bits:
- Rampage IV Black Ed.
- CPU i7-4960X
- 2xSSD Samsung Pro 840 256Go in Raid 0.
- ASUS GTX780TI-DC2OC-3GD5
- GSKILL Ripjaws Z 32 GB or 64 GB. I need advices to help me to choose best models for stability.
- 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 SATA 6Gb/s 2 To for stockage
- AX1200i Corsair
- Cooler Master Cosmos II
- Corsair Hydro Series H110
I really want to be sure that Trim are working for raid on this MB because it’s very expensive and I don’t want to have problem.

I have a second question about RAM for best compatibility and stability with my MB and CPU: I need advices for GSKILL Ripjaws Z 32 GB and 64 GB models. GSKILL told me than for 64 GB, it would be better to choose 2133Mhz , not 2400Mhz, but didn’t give me references. On the website, Asus listed the GSKILL F3-17000CL11Q2-64GBZLD(XMP) ( 8x 8GB ). On one post, I found this adviced model GSKILL F3-2133C9Q2-64GZH. It’s not the same CAS. What is the best for my MB and CPU?
For 32GB capacity, GSKILL listed RipjawsZ F3-2400C11Q-32GZM 32GB (8GBx4). What do you think about this?
Thanks for your help.

@ comet:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

Yes, TRIM in RAID0 will be supported, if you are running an appropriate Intel RAID driver.

Yes, the HxD method is the most sensitive method to test TRIM activity within the RAID0 array.

Since I don’t have a Rampage IV Black Edition, I cannot answer this question.

Regards
Fernando

Hello,
Thanks for the response. Which are the appropriate Intel Raid drivers? Asus list the Intel RST 12.8.0.1016. Are they good for Trim Raid 0? Need I other “modded drivers”? What’s the way to do a clean install with trim raid 0? Perhaps can Rampage IV BE’s users help me to have a clear idea to do a correct install. Thanks in advance!

If you choose the BIOS option "RST RAID" and install any original Intel RST driver from the v11, 12 or 13 series, you will get TRIM in RAID0 automaticly (no need for a modded driver). If you want to use the "RSTe RAID" BIOS option, you should take care of the Intel RSTe RAID ROM/EFI SataDriver version of the BIOS and the Intel RSTe RAID driver version (should be v3.8 or higher).

The creation of a RAID array and the OS installation is the same as with other X79 chipset mainboards. So all users of an X79 chipset mainboard and a RAID0 array will be able to give you some advices.

Hello, many thanks Fernando for your help. I read a guide to install Intel RST drivers on X79 and it was written to only install OS in UEFI Mode with GPT partitions. Is it still necessary ?

It is not necessary to install the OS (Win7 or Win8.1) in UEFI mode by creating GPT partitions, but recommended, if you want a quick boot into the OS.

Hi, I just bought the Rampage BE and have the GSkill rip jaws Z at 2133 mhz. However, the intel CPU will only accept 1866 Mhz so the rest is a waste of money. my cpu is i7 4930K and that is the RAM freq range. Check with intel specs on the cpu of your choice and see what freq is the max ram it can take. On the 64 or 32 GB question, 32GB is more than you need and you can have a fast RamDisk too with memory to spare. the more ram you hove the longer the bios takes to check it and the boot is longer.
My problem is I have 4 samsung 250GB EVO SSD’s and trying to configure it for RAID10, I gave up and now I am trying for Raid 0 (1 TB). I can’t get my data HDD installed with the SSD. Rampage BE has 2 HDD controllers (Intel and Asmedia). I put the HDD on the Asmedia and the RAID0 on the intel but when running Norton, my system crashes constantly. the RST is ver. 12.9.0.1001 and the bios version is 12.7.0.1936. Work in progress and experimenting… 5 days now.

@inlandchris

In that case maybe you got a “weak” CPU or chipset. I have G.Skill 2400 MHz and used an I7 3930K before which supports 1600 MHz max per specs. But my RAM ran fine at 2133. Now with the I7 4930K I can even use the first XMP profile and the RAM is at 2400 MHz CL9 (!).
All this on mainstream ASRock X79…

EDIT: But it’s not Ripjaws but Trident-X memory, maybe that also helped.

@ inlandchris:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum!

I repeat what hanson has already written: Have you tried the X.M.P. memory setting within the BIOS?

The idea to connect the data HDD to an ASMedia SATA port is good. My advice: Delete the Norton software.

Regards
Fernando

Maybe you can help me.
My system is Rampage IV BE, 32 GB G Skill rip jaws Z 2133, 4 Samsung EVO 250 GB, and 3 HDD (1.0, 1.0,2.0TB) Green WD, all water cooled with EK, full MB block, ASUS R9-280X Matrix P water-cooled all running Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate.
I cannot get my SSD to co-exist with the HDD’s, crashes every time I bring up explorer to look the the hard dirves,
any experience?
I installed the SSD drivers before windows is installed and install the app for windows (RST). both have the same version 12.9.0.1001 and the bios RST ios 12.7.0.1936.
If I install just the SSD, all works fine.
P.S. my Ram can run at 2133 but the cpu specs show 1866 on all i7 socket 2011 cpu’s at the inlet website but prefer to run them at the spec 1866. could have saved money and bought the 1866 version. And, ASUS did recommend this brand too as tested.
Running X.M.P. mode profile #1 for the ram but reduced the freq below in the bios

@inlandchris

As I had the same problem before with my ASMedia connector I recommend to either use the very latest driver (2.0.4.1 I think) you can find on station-drivers.com or downgrade to the MS standart driver for your 106x ports. This should solve your problem.

Good luck hanson


EDIT: Regarding your RAM. as long as your system does not freeze there’s no danger in letting the RAM run at 2133 MHz. The 1866 MHz Intel spec only says that this speed is 100% supported. When you run your RAM faster and it works you don’t overclock your CPU at that time but just run the RAM at it’s desired speed.

@inlandchris

Sorry the latest ASMedia 106x driver is 2.0.8.1 released 14.03.2014

This is the way I do it, when I build up a new Intel RAID0 system with SSDs (OS will be installed onto the array):

  1. Flash an up-to-date mainboard BIOS (with the actually best Intel RAID ROM/SataDriver modules) and set your prefered BIOS settings
  2. Secure erase all designed RAID0 members
  3. Create a fresh RAID0 array by using the Intel LEGACY or UEFI RAID Utility
  4. Unplug all storage devices except the RAID0 members
  5. Boot off the OS image containing USB Flash drive and install the OS onto a freshly created RAID0 partition
  6. Once the OS is up, setup the internet connection and run Windows Update
  7. Do the individual OS configurations and install the needed drivers.
  8. As last step: Connect all other storage devices (data HDDs/SSDs) to non-Intel SATA ports running in AHCI mode (if available)

This combo is not the best, because OROM/SataDriver and Driver belong to different RST development branches.

You can find the latest ASMedia 106x SATA3 AHCI drivers within my Forum as well (look >here<).

Thanks all for your help, still major problems. Just got an email from ASUS support, absolutely no help, your forum is much better! If I take my mobo in, it will be months before I see it back.
My system is crashing now even before I put my password in, like before.
Once, I installed the os on just the SSD with no other HDD in the system. Then, I plugged in 1 HDD and started the system and it blew away my OS installation, another wasted time.
Now, I am getting BSOD with either IRQ not equal or less than, and win32.sys as the error. Getting tired…

You should check your BIOS settings and all your system components (memory, drives etc).
Start with a system, which just contains the essential components and - if it runs perfect - enhance it step by step. Otherwise you will not find the "bad" hardware or software component, which is the reason for your crashes.

Thanks for the help, I do really appreciate it. I changed the freq of my GSkill rip jawz memory (normally at 2133) down to 1330 and now the system is a little more stable. I am able to log in and download some drivers and look at my other HDD without crashing.
So, my best guess is the CPU is going bad. I did try other memory (Kingston) that I have for a spare and they are set at 1600 MHz and it works fine to; that why it leads me to the CPU. Just bought it 3 months ago, hope it has warranty.
Craig

Another hardware component, which can be responsable for your issues, is the PSU, which may not be strong/good enough to give all your devices (drives, memory sticks, CPU etc) the needed power during the boot process.

Sorry for the long delay: i wipped the SSD’s and removed all HDD. I took out the 4930k CPU and replaced it with my old i7-3820, installed windows7 64 bit with the same version of Intel drivers as in my bios (12.???). Bought Acronis software to clone the SSD’s every step of the way so I dont have to start over.
Wow, no BSOD anymore and everything works 200%! IOPS at 122,000. Samsung magician doesnt work because it doesnt recognize Raid0 (4 drives). I assume Trim is working because its been several weeks and nothing has slowed down; boot time 20 seconds.
Problem was a bad cpu. I still have not recieved it back from intel yet and the local shop says its working fine but I know it doesnt. If they dont replace it, $500 down the drain.
Thanks all for your help and also the one who pointed out that my cpu may be weak, how true