SSD Caching drive

[matto97]

So im looking to get a M.2 SSD soon for my OS and use my current SSD for my most used games. But since im doing the change over with samsungs drive cloning tool thing i shouldn't have to wipe any drives ect.
But what i do want to know is can get get a cheap SSD and set it up as a caching drive for my main HDD without wiping any drives or resetting.
As i did some reading and apparently you need to change your motherboard to RAID mode, but im not sure how that works.
My current config is SSD in Sata 6GB and 2 HDD in the Sata 6GB all on the intel controller.
And i plan to have the M.2 PCI SSD in the M.2 slot obviously.

Also what sort of speed increases am i likely to see in day to day usage.

[TheRandomness]

After spending 2 years using my 128GB SSD as cache for my HDD, I can tell you it's not worth it at all. It'd be faster to just use the SSD alone. 

[Electronics Wizardy]

Caching is a pain unless your using linux, windows server 2012+ or mac os x.

 

Id forget about caching and just use the ssd and the hdd separty.

[matto97]

Sorry i probably didnt make it clear but i would still use my old SSD but for my most used games but keep my HDD for other games and applications. And if its worth it to pick up a small SSD for like $40

[GiltBrick]

7 minutes ago, matto97 said:

Sorry i probably didnt make it clear but i would still use my old SSD but for my most used games but keep my HDD for other games and applications. And if its worth it to pick up a small SSD for like $40

I haven't tried intel's RST solution. The biggest benefit I see is for the typical user who doesnt want to manage where programs and games are installed. The caching is transparent so its just one drive like they're used to. That being said I think caching could be really useful since any time I access something from my hdd it has to spin up which takes a little bit.

 

As for your question about saving your data, I don't see why it wouldn't just add the cache on top of it. There may be some technical things that would cause it to reformat your hard drive so just to be safe either try it on another drive that doesn't have important data first, or just back up your data and then try it.