A Simple Guide to Intel Rapid Storage Technology

Intel RST lets you enhance your storage devices' performance, speed and security.

Technology has taken leaps and bounds in the last few years. With this rapid advancement, there has been an increased demand for computer systems that can take on heavy workloads and have enough storage space. 

But such computers can be pretty expensive, and not everyone can afford them. Enter Intel Rapid Storage Technology! 

Intel Rapid Storage Technology is one of the latest technologies that lets users enjoy better storage capabilities with limited budgets. Let us explain how!

What is Intel Rapid Storage Technology?

Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) is a program created by Intel that improves the performance and speed of data storage devices in computers and servers. With this technology, you can boost the storage capabilities of your devices with one or more SATA disk drives.

Intel launched this technology to provide users with better performance and security at economical prices. The technology has a very intelligent system that aids Windows systems with frequent data storage problems and failures. In the event of a crash or drive failure, Intel RST provides better data loss protection.

Features of Intel RST

Here are a few features of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology:

RAID Technology

This is a very beneficial feature for people who don’t back up their data and risk data loss if their drives crash. Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is a system in which multiple disks operate together to enhance performance and reduce response times. Intel RST supports RAID in four levels;

Level 0: Distributes files across two storage devices.

Level 1: Copies data on both storage devices.

Level 5: Distributes files across three to sixteen storage devices.

Level 10: Distributes and copies files across multiple storage devices (Combines Level 0 and 1). 

Every RAID level provides a different level of data protection, and performance enhancement and users can choose which they need according to their system specifications.

Intel Smart Response Technology

One of the most important features of Intel RST, the Smart Response Technology, saves all of your most used applications and files in the SSD with the highest performance. By doing so, it’ll become much easier and faster for your computer to access these files. This improves the performance and speed of your personal computer. SSDs are originally faster than other storage devices. 

With some of your most heavy files and programs stored in the SSD, Smart Response Technology frees up space on your other storage devices. It allows you to use a small-scale SSD coupled with high-capacity HDDs. High-capacity SDDs are quite expensive, so Smart Response Technology also helps you build a budget-friendly computer.

Multiple Command Support

This feature allows storage disk drives to access and carry out more than one command simultaneously. This is also one of Intel RST’s important features. While Smart Response Technology benefits SSDs, Multiple Command Support works best for HDDs. This does not mean it isn’t beneficial for SSDs too. 

For this feature to work, commands must use Native Command Queuing. This is part of a command protocol that enables drives to dictate in which order read and write commands are carried out. Read here means to open files, while write means to save files. 

Multiple Command Support and NCQ allow computers to reduce HDD spinning. By reducing the unnecessary spinning of rotating parts in HDDs, performance is boosted, and noise is reduced during operation.

How To Install Intel RST?

Most of the latest computers come with Intel Rapid Storage Technology already installed. But if your laptop or desktop doesn’t have it already, we would advise you to install Intel RST drivers to improve your system’s overall performance.

Before you do, check whether your system meets the following requirements:

  • Internal Storage: More than 2.2 TB
  • Operating System: Windows 7 or above
  • Intel Processor: i7 and i5 (3rd Generation and above)

Follow these steps if you have an Intel Visual BIOS:

  1. Reboot your computer.
  2. Press F2 during Reboot.
  3. Click Advanced Setup from the menu.
  4. Go to Power settings.
  5. Check the Intel Rapid Storage Technology box.
  6. Set the Hibernation Timer to Immediately.
  7. Save the new settings with the F10 key.
  8. Reboot your computer.

Take the following steps if you don’t have Intel Visual BIOS:

  1. Reboot your computer.
  2. Press F2 during Reboot.
  3. Scroll down to the Power option. 
  4. Click on Settings.
  5. Check the Intel Rapid Storage Technology box.
  6. Set Hibernation to Immediately.
  7. Reboot your computer.

Partition The Disk Space

Now that you’ve enabled Intel Rapid Storage Technology, it’s time to separate the disk space and create smaller storage spaces. We would recommend getting a professional to do this for you since it’s quite a technical step.

Access the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe in the search bar and right-clicking on the option, and selecting Run as Administrator. 

Type diskpart.exe in the Command Prompt and press Enter. Scroll to the Diskpart command and enter the following prompts;

  1. DISKPART> select disk X (X will be the disk where you want to partition)
  2. DISKPART> create partition primary size=Y (Y refers to the partition size in megabytes)
  3. DISKPART> detail disk.
  4. DISKPART> select volume Z (Z is the volume you want to create partitions for)
  5. DISKPART> set id=84 override
  6. DISKPART> exit

After following all the above commands, type exit to close the prompt. Then reboot your computer. 

Lastly, download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology from Intel’s official website. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.

Final Thoughts

Intel Rapid Storage Technology is one of the most innovative technologies that has improved performance, speed and storage capabilities for our computers. With such technology, users can rest assured that their files are protected, and they won’t lose any bit of data during device failures and crashes. 

It has technical workers with disk-heavy workloads to work seamlessly without any delays or performance issues. We’ve covered all aspects of this technology and hope it serves as a helpful guide for you.

Got any confusion or questions? Let us know in the comments below!


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