However, this protocol is slowly diminishing because of more modern and advanced technologies, like RAID and AHCI.

If you do not have the IDE option, you might surely kill the SATA operation options.

This will automatically snag the IDE protocol.

AHCI vs RAID

What is AHCI?

This is a relatively new technology, currently only limited to Intel chipsets.

Selecting AHCI will improve the performance of the data transfer speeds, as well as add new features.

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AHCI is primarily used for SSDs, but can also be used on legacy mechanical hard drives.

However, it does not have significant improvement gains on hard drives compared to other brands.

Although AHCI doesnt affect the SATA ports performance, it gives users access to its more sophisticated features.

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In simple words, it can virtually combine multiple hard drives and make them seem like a single drive.

If configured correctly, RAID can improve the performance, reliability, and availability of the storage hardware.

RAID can be configured on SSDs, mechanical hard drives, or a hybrid of the two.

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RAID configuration on SSDs has no significant impact on performance, but only merges them into one big volume.

On client machines, you might choose between AHCI and RAID only.

However, on servers and enterprise environments, you might choose from the different types/levels of RAID.

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You do not have the option to choose a different RAID level.

This significantly improves the overall read-and-write performance by combining power from multiple drives.

Now that you understand what AHCI and RAID are, let us do a quick comparison.

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AHCI vs RAID: Which is Better for Performance?

In the end, it all comes down to what configuration you have.

If you only run a single SSD, then AHCI would be the better choice.

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However, you might still use the Windows Storage Spaces feature.

This feature allows you to merge 2 or more drives into a single or more array.

Note that you must select one of these configurationsbeforeWindows installation.

Changing your choice later may require reinstallation of the OS.

That said, IDE is old technology and has no significant benefits.

This is why we suggest you choose either RAID or AHCI, not IDE.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Whats the difference between AHCI and RAID?

AHCI and RAID are both data transfer protocols used between a motherboard and a SATA hard disk storage unit.

AHCI is limited to Intel chipsets only which offers performance gains.

However, only half of the disk space is usable in the case of a RAID configuration.

How to change AHCI to RAID or RAID to AHCI?

The SATA transfer protocol can be changed from the systems BIOS/UEFI prefs.

How to update the SATA AHCI/RAID controller?

The AHCI or RAID controller can be updated like all other drivers on a Windows PC.

Here is how:1. pop crack open the machine Manager by typing in devmgmt.msc in the Run Command box.2.

Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers.3.

Right-hit the controller and click Update Driver.4.

Click Search automatically for drivers.

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source: www.itechtics.com