Since the launch of the SATA interface in 2003, the controllers optionally integrate an operating mode called AHCI or Advanced Host Controller Interface.
This particular mode of operation makes it possible to exploit the functionalities introduced by the SATA interface such as the NCQ (Native Command Queuing) or the Hot Plug.
With the NCQ, the hard disk can receive more than one input / output request at a time and decide the best order to perform the operations. This reduces the amount of unnecessary searches on the playheads, resulting in improved performance and slightly less disk wear.
The Hot Plug allows you to hook up and unplug a SATA hard drive, that is, while your computer is running.
During our various tests, the gains brought by the AHCI mode are well present. The transfer rate when loading applications or starting Windows can increase by 10 to 20%. It would be a shame to do without it all the more because the passage is not really complicated.
By default, the majority of motherboards are set to "IDE Compatible" mode. Enabling AHCI mode in the BIOS on an already installed system results in a blue screen and a looped restart of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.1.
Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1 incorporate AHCI drivers but they are not enabled. Before switching to AHCI, you must first activate them in Windows. Your system will then start up without any problems and you can enjoy the benefits of AHCI mode. In the case of a new installation of Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, there is no problem since the AHCI drivers are integrated, installed and activated at the same time as Windows (since you activated the AHCI in the BIOS before 'installation).
With Windows XP, it gets a bit complicated. In fact, attempting to install Windows XP on a machine configured in AHCI results in a blue screen the first time you restart the installation procedure. It is therefore necessary to integrate the AHCI drivers to the installation of Windows XP. For a Windows XP already installed, you must install the AHCI drivers before switching to this mode in the BIOS. You can find the appropriate AHCI drivers on the motherboard manufacturer's website.
This particular mode of operation makes it possible to exploit the functionalities introduced by the SATA interface such as the NCQ (Native Command Queuing) or the Hot Plug.
With the NCQ, the hard disk can receive more than one input / output request at a time and decide the best order to perform the operations. This reduces the amount of unnecessary searches on the playheads, resulting in improved performance and slightly less disk wear.
The Hot Plug allows you to hook up and unplug a SATA hard drive, that is, while your computer is running.
During our various tests, the gains brought by the AHCI mode are well present. The transfer rate when loading applications or starting Windows can increase by 10 to 20%. It would be a shame to do without it all the more because the passage is not really complicated.
By default, the majority of motherboards are set to "IDE Compatible" mode. Enabling AHCI mode in the BIOS on an already installed system results in a blue screen and a looped restart of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.1.
Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1 incorporate AHCI drivers but they are not enabled. Before switching to AHCI, you must first activate them in Windows. Your system will then start up without any problems and you can enjoy the benefits of AHCI mode. In the case of a new installation of Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, there is no problem since the AHCI drivers are integrated, installed and activated at the same time as Windows (since you activated the AHCI in the BIOS before 'installation).
With Windows XP, it gets a bit complicated. In fact, attempting to install Windows XP on a machine configured in AHCI results in a blue screen the first time you restart the installation procedure. It is therefore necessary to integrate the AHCI drivers to the installation of Windows XP. For a Windows XP already installed, you must install the AHCI drivers before switching to this mode in the BIOS. You can find the appropriate AHCI drivers on the motherboard manufacturer's website.
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