Speed difference going from AHCI to IDE

mjf

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I had some reason for moving from Sata mode AHCI to IDE (Reason in this thread)
Most material I read didn't have any compelling speed disadvantage so I did some informal speed tests. Results for those interested (This not an SSD):
CrystalDiskMark speed tests don't show any significant difference.
The first row is a sequential 1GB R/W test. Next rows are various random R/W tests.

ahci speed.JPGide speed.JPG

A four thread unindexed search for a text string in
1,164 pdfs (1.7GB)
from 253,302 files (173GB)
Took: 2min 12 secs for AHCI and 2min 5 secs for IDE
ARsearch.jpg

Informal conclusion: No significant speed difference.

Add: In addition to specs listed. Seagate 1TB (ST31000528AS), AMI BIOS.
 
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Compelling indeed. Do you think the resuts might be different for varying brands of SSD?
 

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i think the AHCI advantage is for ssd's drives.
 

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16GB Corsair Vengance DDR3 @ 661 MHz Dual Channel (9-9-9-24)
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EVGA NVidia GTX 560 1024MB
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1*Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD;
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I was able to run sata mode AHCI enabled in the BIOS after making the msahci registry change and driver change due to my Nvidia nForce board. But no speed improvements for a conventional HDD.
ahci speed2.JPG
But still had a problem with Hirens boot disk running mini XP not recognising the sata drive. Probably due to the Nvidia board.
So I'm staying with the IDE mode setting for now.
 

My Computer

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Own build
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Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
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Intel i7 2600k
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ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe
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G.Skill Ripjaws (DDR3-1600) 2x4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GTS 450; Intel HD Graphics 3000(GT2+)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell Ultrasharp IPS panel U2311H, Samsung SyncMaster P2350
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro SSD 256GB, Samsung SSD 840 120GB, Seagates 1TB Barracuda ST31000528AS x2
PSU
Seasonic M12II 520W
Case
Lian Li Lancool PC-K60
Cooling
Case: 1x120mm, 3x140mm CPU: Hyper 212+
Keyboard
Logitech MK520 (wireless)
Mouse
Logitech MK520
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6-7 Mbps
Antivirus
Norton Security Premium, Malwarebytes on 2 (MSE on 3rd PC)
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FireFox
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Audio: Logitech Z523 2.1

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I've seen reference to the NCQ and the Wikipedia article represents the depth (or lack of) my knowledge. The last 4 rows in the speed test tables are various size random R/Ws. I might have thought this NCQ effect in terms of performance imrovement would have shown up here?

My BIOS has been previous set to AHCI since I owned the PC (default setting).
It is only that I want to boot to the Hirens (12.0) boot CD/USB using mini XP that I've changed the setting.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Own build
OS
Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
CPU
Intel i7 2600k
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws (DDR3-1600) 2x4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GTS 450; Intel HD Graphics 3000(GT2+)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell Ultrasharp IPS panel U2311H, Samsung SyncMaster P2350
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro SSD 256GB, Samsung SSD 840 120GB, Seagates 1TB Barracuda ST31000528AS x2
PSU
Seasonic M12II 520W
Case
Lian Li Lancool PC-K60
Cooling
Case: 1x120mm, 3x140mm CPU: Hyper 212+
Keyboard
Logitech MK520 (wireless)
Mouse
Logitech MK520
Internet Speed
6-7 Mbps
Antivirus
Norton Security Premium, Malwarebytes on 2 (MSE on 3rd PC)
Browser
FireFox
Other Info
Audio: Logitech Z523 2.1
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