32 GB SSD caching for 2 TB HDD RST setup configuration on Dell XPS One 2720 system running W11 Pro

[RohinMehra]

Hi Intel Rapid Storage Technology Community,

I have a Dell XPS One 2720. I have installed Windows 11 Pro (64 bits) on the system. Bios is set to Raid (other options are AHCI and ATA, but Windows doesn't boot when I change that setting)

This device has a 32 GB SSD drive which can act as a SSD cache drive for the 2 TB HDD (which is my desired configuration).

Windows Device Manager (and Disk Management) doesn't show the SSD HD, probably due to Raid 0 configuration.

I have installed the latest RST driver.

This is the configuration shown in Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management.

All options to create a RAID Volume in Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management are greyed out.

The latest RST driver on the Dell support site for XPS One 2720 is 

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=cwf39&oscode=wt64a&productcode=xps-27-2720-aio

My questions to the Intel Rapid Store Technology forum:

1) Is my RST configuration correct? I want to use SSD caching with the 32 GB SSD for my 2 TB HDD. I am not sure if it is setup correctly and is working correctly. How do I check this?

2) Does the new driver support this or do I need to revert to the old driver?

3) In case the new RST driver and application has no support for my system and desired configuration, which driver version can I best install which does support my hardware and desired configuration (and Windows 11 64 bits)?

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards, Rohin Mehra

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi RohinMehra,

Thank you for posting in the Community!

Thank you for providing all the details. I will further check this issue and get back to you once I have more information. Your patience is appreciated.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[RohinMehra]

Hi Dean R.,

Thanks for your reply.

Eagerly awaiting your answer. If you need me to provide any more information about my system or configuration, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Rohin Mehra

[RohinMehra · Accepted solution]

Hi Dean R.,

I managed to solve the problem in de meantime.

I installed RST version v15.9.8.1050, this is the latest RST version which supports Smart Response cache acceleration with a SATA SSD. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Rapid_Storage_Technology

I used the Windows Install Clean Up tool to remove the installation cache of the newer versions, which allowed me to install an older RST version.

https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/a-newer-version-of-the-intel-rapid-storage-driver-has-been-detected/36537/6

I hope this thread will help other people.

Kind regards,

Rohin Mehra

[n_scott_pearson]

This is a 32GB SATA SSD, right?

...S

[RohinMehra]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it is a 32GB SATA SSD. SAMSUNG SSD CM851 mSATA 32 GB.

Kind regards,

Rohin Mehra

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi RohinMehra,

I'm glad that you have solved the problem.

Just to add, the SSD caching feature from Intel Smart Response Technology was removed starting with the Intel RST v18.0 release. It appears that the customer has reverted to Intel RST v15.9.8.1050 and legacy Intel RST software, which still supports SSD caching. However, I do not recommend this approach. The older driver and software versions are considered legacy and are no longer updated, which may pose security and compatibility risks. You should avoid using these outdated versions to ensure your system remains secure and stable.

Best Regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[RohinMehra]

Hi Dean R.,

Thanks for your reply.

Your colleague has stated that my current approach is not recommendend. However he hasn't stated what approach is recommended by Intel. Please tell me which version of the software that supports the SSD caching feature from Intel Smart Response Technology is recommended by Intel.

Please also correct the Wikipedia page below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Rapid_Storage_Technology

If your colleague's information is correct then the Wikipedia page isn't correct. That states that v15.9.8.1050 is the last version to support Smart Response cache acceleration with a SATA SSD.

If your colleague is correct then v17.7.0.1006 would be the last version to support Smart Response cache acceleration with a SATA SSD. Please confirm this.

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Rohin Mehra

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi RohinMehra,

This is noted; I will reach out back to you once I have the necessary information about this.

Best Regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[RohinMehra]

Hi Dean R.,

I just installed RST version 17.11.3.1010. This driver version only supports the new Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management application. I am not sure if the Smart Response cache acceleration with a SATA SSD is working correctly. In the old RST application there was an option to disable and enable acceleration (if disabled). This option is not available in the new application.

How do I know if the Smart Response cache acceleration with a SATA SSD is working correctly?

It does show accelerated disk?

Kind regards,

Rohin Mehra

[n_scott_pearson]

Just saying, I think you should stick with the older software/drivers. So much of the SRT support was, um, suppressed in favor of Optane.

...S

[RohinMehra]

Hi all,

I reverted back to the Intel RST driver which Dell provided for my system (XPS One 2720), which is v14.8.1.1043.

I will now try and see which is the latest driver version which still shows Smart Response Technology in the the Performance tab.

[RohinMehra]

Update: Smart Response Technology is still available in driver version 15.9.8.1050.