daknetworks.com

I was going to write a blog post about SATA, AHCI, RAID, RST, IRST, ICH10R, X58 and the drivers needed along with the settings and the difference between the drivers and the software but this post does a better job than I ever would be able to (as well as better explanation than Intel does too):
http://www.win-raid.com/t2f23-Intel-RST-RSTe-Drivers-newest-v-WHQL-v-WHQL.html

I will say that the SATA/AHCI/RAID/IRST drivers are driving the southbridge (ICH10R, etc) which is the HOST-CONTROLLER (aka DISK-CONTROLLER aka STORAGE-CONTROLLER) and that the CHIPSET drivers are driving the northbridge (X58, etc).

Also, I will say that the speed of the SATA-I (150MB), SATA-II (300MB) or SATA-III (600MB) depends on both the HARD-DRIVE itself and the HOST-CONTROLLER. The easy ways to find the HOST-CONTROLLER speed is by using CPUID or HWINFO.

Lastly, I'll say that you only need the RST if you are running in AHCI or RAID mode. If not, then you can use the chipset drivers.

Here's how:

• 1 -if you are in IDE mode, change to AHCI mode:
  For Windows 7, change the registry. In cmd (as admin), type: echo y | reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci" /v Start /d 0
  For Windows 10, set to boot into safe mode with msconfig. You will need your local admin password, no domain or Microsoft accounts can access safe mode.
• 2 -reboot
• 3 -In the bios, the SATA drive should be set to AHCI (not IDE).
  Dell systems automatically are set to RST/RAID. I guess so that it is flexible in case someone wants to setup a RAID, they can without too much difficulty. Also, there is a little boost in performance. I have witnessed the extremely slow systems due to incorrect RST drivers, even on new systems. The RST drivers need to be updated as this is can be a limiting factor. In some cases (Optiplex/Inspirion All in One pc's), Dell is not providing updated RST drivers and you must source them from Intel.
• 4 -reboot.
  For Windows 10, set to boot into normal mode with msconfig.
• 5 -reboot.
• 6 -install the newest RST drivers for your chipset.

NOTES:
-https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/922976/
-SSD's should be set to RAID/RST as there will be a little boost in performance.
-ICH10R can only go to RST v11.
-as of this writing the RST v15 is the newest.
-you will need a couple of reboots, in case you couldn't tell.
-use HWinfo to get the motherboard chipset.
-it will say something like "QM77 series." That is the "Mobile 7 Series."
-Mobile 7 Series pairs with IRST v13 available at the Intel web site.
-the Intel-Update utility does not update the IRST to the newest version automatically.
-again, the Dell web site does not provide updated RST drivers and you must source them from Intel.
-for IRST, there are DRIVERS and there is the IRST program. You need the drivers (typically x64). The program is not needed.
-device-manager > storage-controllers
-right-click > properties
-driver > update-driver
-browse-my-computer > path to the newest IRST drivers.