Windows 7 - AHCI to Enable or Not?

Hi, I am using a HP Pavillion 180t computer with Window 7(SP-1), IE9 RC. 12GB Ram, Quad Core i7, 3.33Ghz.

I do not have AHCI enabled based upon the Tutorial to do so. Would enableing AHCI be of value to me? If so how? Any help appreciated.

You get some more advanced features with AHCI like hot plugging and better native command queuing. It will improve performance especially on benchmarks. Real world performance is a lot less noticeable.

I used to run my rig on IDE, because AHCI introduced an 8 second delay at boot which I never felt I earned back in performance. On a later BIOS update, that 8 seconds went to 2, and I switched to AHCI at that point. It's going to really depend a lot on you and your exact machine.

coop1

You have a SATA harddrive so I would leave it as factory setting.

AHCI is for Raid or using SSD normally.

pparks is correct you can do it.


Mike

Hello coop1, here's the tutorial at the link below if you have need of it; have a look at the information contained therein.


AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista

No, AHCI is not just for RAID or SSDs. In fact it is best with a SATA2/3 HDD. To use SATA2's Native Command Queuing, you must use AHCI. NCQ can make a lot of difference if there is a smart enough drive in use.

Thank you all for your replies and information, it did help my understanding. Of course I could not resist trying the procedure to enable AHCI. For my computer, bad idea. Anyway, everything reversed to normal with no problem. Tryouts are how you learn. Thanks again.