GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

[infocus]

Are there any advantages to enabling and installing drivers where AHCI mode is concerned,or should I leave it disabled.Also"Sata Port 0-3 native mode",the manual does not supply enough info on this setting,is it best left in Legacy IDE mode??

[MDDI]

Re: GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

If your using Windows XP you must install the Intel Matrix drivers during setup. You will not be able to install the drivers after the fact and switch to AHCI mode. In Vista you may. There is very little performance gain, if any, in AHCI on a single drive, only support for NCQ.
For Windows XP and Vista "Enable" SATA Port0-3 Native Mode. Legacy IDE is for older OS that does not support Native IDE.
Also, disable USB Storage Function if you do not have/use/need USB storage drives dectected during POST.

[Psycho101]

Re: GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

All AHCI will do is enable you to hot-swap SATA drives, and enable NCQ (Native Command Queueing) on drives/controlers that require AHCI for NCQ to function. Unless you're running an I/O heavy aplication server. In normal use you'll see virtually zero gain.

AHCI is disabled on my system because it takes up to 30sec to detect my HDD's.

[infocus]

Re: GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

Thanks for the reply,you've answered my questions!Hey MDDI do you have this mobo??I've just installed all my new hardware and would like to pick your brain when it comes to other BIOS settings!

[Psycho101]

Re: GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

Most BIOS settings can be carried over exactly from other templates based on the EP45-UD3P, but you will have to use a different memory multiplier and possibly frequenct latch for overclocking attempts due to your DDR3 RAM.

All other settings in other menus are AFAIK identical.

[MDDI]

Re: GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

Infocus,
Yes, I have the EP45T-UD3P board, just received it. My X48T-DQ6 was hit by a lightning strike and I was not ready to invest another $300 in a MB, at least not yet. The EP45T-UD3P is a interim board for me until I'm ready to step up. It has been a very resonable, stable, price/performance replacement so far.
As Psycho101 stated, most BIOS settings can be carried over from other templates. The EP45T has many more RAM settings than I have been familiar with. I have made some, but have not had the time to delve deeper into them.
You will find this forum to be helpful as to answering your questions.There are many experienced members familiar with Gigabyte products who will always be ready to help you.

[Comers]

Re: GA-EP45T-UD3P bios questions

Hi infocus,
Don't worry about AHCI. If you use XP you could install your OS in IDE mode and if at some point you decide to switch to ACHI you can do it this way:

1. Copy iastor.sys included in the intel matrix storage managed (download from GB or intel) to your \WINDOWS\sytem32\drivers
2. Merge the following to your registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Cr iticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_3A22&cc_0106]
"Service"="iaStor"
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\iaStor]
"Type"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000000
"Group"="SCSI miniport"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"="system32\\drivers\\iaStor.sys"
"tag"=dword:00000019
"DisplayName"="Intel AHCI Controller"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\iaStor\Parameters]
"queuePriorityEnable"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_3A22&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_00 \\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001


3. Reboot and immediately enter BIOS to change from IDE to AHCI mode, save and exit.
4. Windows will boot and 'found new hardware wizard' will pop, just cancel and install Intel Matrix Storage Manager.
5. Final reboot and you'll be good.

I guarantee this to work since I've done it on the same board.