History is repeating itself, we suppose you could say

Dec 12, 2014 08:25 GMT  ·  By

Most of the features on today's computers are controlled or otherwise determined by the central processor, but the southbridge still has a significant role. Even then, it can't do everything by itself, and this can lead to complications.

Then again, the current issue plaguing Intel's high-end computer platform can't exactly be blamed on the chipset itself. More on Intel's failure to eliminate all bugs before launch.

You may or may not remember that Chipzilla had problems a while ago too, when the X79 chipset came out and showed that the integrated storage controller still needed some work.

Something not too unlike that issue appears to affect the X99 Express Chipset as well. The one that pairs with Intel Haswell-E HEDT Core i7-5xxx central processing units.

The X99 storage controller problems

Intel uses the same chipset foundation as basis for both its enterprise C610 chipset and the X99 HEDT core-logic.

In theory, the chipset should be able to control up to ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports. However, it has come to light that the core-logic, at least under the existing driver, didn't support ATA TRIM command for solid state drives striped in RAID 0 array.

That meant that the operating system wouldn't be able to clear their deleted sectors. This, by extension, meant that the SSDs would lose performance over time, due to reduced write cycles.

As of not too long ago, version 4.1.0.1046 of Intel's RSTe driver was pulled from the website, quite thoroughly. You won't even find it on the list of older drivers.

Motherboard partners like ASU were ordered to do the same. ASUS is where the explanation for the removal came from in fact.

What you'll now find if you look for "RSTe" on Intel's Download website (the storage controller has an exclusive software called Rapid Storage Technology driver) is different.

How the new driver works

The new RSTe driver allows the operating system to see only six out of ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports. The other four can still be used (they will appear when a device is connected to them, and only then), but they don't benefit from the SAT power management features of the first six ports, and they can't be part of any RAID array with the drives plugged in the first six ports.

Intel may or may not comment on this latest development. Let's just hope that a proper driver that makes all ten ports work in RAID comes out soon.

Intel pulls storage controller driver (4 Images)

Intel pulls storage controller driver
Intel controller driver detailsIntel Core i7 HEDT CPUs
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