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Thread: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

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    Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    I'm getting a bit fed up with my second rig taking an absolute age to be ready when booting it so thinking of sticking in a nice small SSD cache drive to make the thing a lot more enjoyable to use.

    Scan have a 45GB Corsair Accelerator cache SSD for £45, which is a nice easy option. However, they also have a Crucial V4 64GB for £38. Which would give extra cache space for less cash.

    I'm presuming the only actual difference is that one is supplied with cache software and that the hardware is basically identical.

    Am I right? And where can I get the software if so?
    Last edited by simonpreston; 20-08-2013 at 01:46 PM.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    Someone will clarify but, SSD caching needs to be supported by your mobo chipset, iirc. You're looking at Z68 and Z77 upwards I believe. The hybrid SSHD drives have the SSD element integrated, so they are ok.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    Not sure that's entirely accurate. There are mobos that can do that without software, but otherwise there are software only solutions to make them work on older systems. I think.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    I'm going on the basis that SSD caching was a selling point of the Intel Z series chipset. Perhaps there is a software based solution, that doesn't require one of those chipsets - do you have a link to a review? I'm wondering if there is a system overhead/performance hit from doing it that way.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    Dataplex seems to be software only and will run older machines (provided they are running Windows 7).
    http://www.nvelo.com/support/dataplex/download

    However, it also seems to be OEM only and requires a licence key to run. I could download the software without sticking in a key but I doubt I'll be able to install and run it.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    There are two options:

    Intel Smart Response Technology - check your mobo manufacturer's website if you think you might have this, but it's limited to higher-end variants of the more recent chipsets. This can use any SSD as the cache disk.

    Software caching with accelerator SSD - as the software is OEM and not available unless you buy it bundled with a small SSD, you don't really have the option of doing this with any SSD. It's also possible (although I'm not 100% sure) that the software is locked to only work with the drive it's bundled with.

    So, if you've got a suitable Intel motherboard then you might be able to use any old SSD and Smart Response to do your SSD caching, but otherwise you're looking at having to buy one of the special bundles to get the appropriate software included.

    EDIT: just to clarify - as far as I can tell you cannot download the software without a license key, and it certainly won't work without one. £45 is pretty reasonable IMNSHO. Hexus have reviewed a couple of accelerator drives in the past, should be easy enough to have a quick browse of their thoughts.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    That's pretty much what I suspected tbh. The board is an old P945 chipset model so it's not going to have any fancy pants hardware for SSD caching onboard.
    Software caching is the only solution and it looks like it'll just be far less hassle to get the Corsair drive.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    Rather typically, as soon as I feel I have made a decision and going to get the 45GB Accelerator it disappears off the Scan site.

    So I might go with a new plan. Get the V4, copy Windows and program files and such over to that, set to boot, and use the old HD for storage.

    Don't have to bother with a fresh reinstall then. I have loads of settings and programs set up that I really can't be arsed redoing with a secondary machine.
    Last edited by simonpreston; 26-08-2013 at 12:52 PM.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by simonpreston View Post
    Rather typically, as soon as I feel I have made a decision and going to get the 45GB Accelerator it disappears off the Scan site.

    So I might go with a new plan. Get the V4, copy Windows and program files and such over to that, set to boot, and use the old HD for storage.

    Don't have to bother with a fresh reinstall then. I have loads of settings and programs set up that I really can't be arsed redoing with a secondary machine.
    Shame, it's been discontinued, I have that corsair drive and although there were some niggles initially it works fine now. It seems as though all the cache drives have in the wake of samsung buying out nvelo :/ .
    I did manage to find this for you
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/11116...ff14=92&ff19=0

    It's pretty darned cheap and should work well enough.

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    Re: Can I use a normal SSD as a cache drive?

    Cheers. Have been looking those as well. They use their own software which would explain why they are still available.
    I tried to get my HDD down to 64GB and it just wasn't happening, so trying to decide whether to go with that 32GB cache or get a 128GB drive. The former would be cheaper, the latter would be better for when I build a new rig to replace this one.

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