Intel SSD 520 on Marvell 9128 SATA III controller (GA-X58A-UD7 rev 1)

[thinkpad]

I have a GA-X58A-UD7 motherboard with Marvell 9128 SATA III controller on it and I'm considering buying an Intel SSD 520. I've read that Marvell 9128 slows down SATA III SSDs but there is improvement in the performance after updating the BIOS with the one, modded by Lsdmeasap (F9D). Can somebody with the same motherboard provide some benchmark results with SATA III SSD like Intel SSD 520 connected to Marvell SATA III before and after BIOS update? I need some numbers on how much the updated firmware of Marvel 9128 improves the performance, before deciding whether to buy the Intel SSD 520.

Benchmark results from someone with this motherboard who has updated only the Marvell firmware with the latest version (2.2.0.1125) will also be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[Acebmxer]

Welcome to the forum.

The issue with the Marvell 9128 sata3 controller is that it is only pci-e 1x vs the newer 9182 sata3 controller which is pci-e 2x. You can read this thread ga-x58a-ud5 + Crucial c400 m4 SDD question. Not the same motherboard but still has the same controller so the speeds will be the same. He did not see much improvement after updating the firmware for the controller. The only way to get better Sata3 speeds is to buy a add in controller or upgrade to p67/z68 or newer chip set.

[thinkpad]

Hi Acebmxer, thank you for your prompt reply. Since I've read somewhere that the new firmware improves the performance of 9128 I'm surprised to read in the link you've provided that after updating the 9128 with the latest firmware there is no improvement in the performance whatsoever. I will appreciate if anyone who uses SATA III SSD (especially Intel SSD 520) on Marvell 9128 provides some benchmark results.

[wazza300]

your better off using the intel sata 2 ports,those marvel ports will be quicker around 400mb per second reads but they will usually crash ect,they wont be as reliable as intel

your better off trying to grab hold of a g1 sniper or x58a oc mb with newer marvel ports,or stick to intel sata 2

[thinkpad]

your better off using the intel sata 2 ports,those marvel ports will be quicker around 400mb per second reads but they will usually crash ect,they wont be as reliable as intel

I know that when connected to SATA2 the Intel SSD 520 or similar fast SATA3 SSD will not score well in the benchmarks (ATTO, ASS SSD, etc) especially in large sequential reads, but what about the real world applications in a daily use - will it make a big difference in the performance when connected to SATA2 instead of SATA3?

[wazza300]

to be honest you wont notice any difference,it will be more reliable then the marvel ports,then in the future if you upgrade your mb or mb/cpu you can use the intel sata3,which are the best regarding speed/reliability ect