Does probook 6460b support sata 6gbps?

[corephil]

My SATA III SSD runs only at  SATA II transfer rate (3 GBPS) in any SATA  port (Main, Upgrade bay, E-SATA). Is this a limitation set by HP? Or is there something I can do from the BIOS setting (I can not find more)? Updated to BIOS F.25

This topic/query was not replied from last post and I did not get any confirmation. Can anyone help?

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware/does-probook-6460b-support-sata-6gbps/m-p/1417315/hig...

Product: HP Probook 6460b

Chipset: Intel HM65

BIOS: F.25

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit

HDD: Samsung 830 128GB SSD SATA III

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/chipsets/value-chipsets/mobile-chipset-hm65.html

[WaseemW]

I do not see its tested by HP as such. also there no part from HP with such specs. however chipset supports, Sata3 shoudl work fine aswell.

[corephil]

Thank you WaseemW

...but you do not answer my question. Which part do you refer as "no part from HP with such specs"?

Yes, definitely SATA3 is supported by the chipset HM65 to be specific. But my question is, does the Probook 6460b with intel HM65 chipset support SATA 6gbps?

Supporting SATA3 is different from supporting SATA 6gbps.

When supporting SATA3, it does not mean it would run at 6gbps, it may limit only up to 3gbps, hence my question because in my case the SATA3 runs well but has only a transfer rate of 3gbps.

Any other thoughts?

If this is a limitation by HP, then be it. Maybe in the future they will release a BIOS with sata 6gbps full support.

[corephil]

Any HP expert please?

This is a very simple question for HP support, whom I expect has the idea.

If this is a limitation being set in the available sata ports where the transfer rate is locked at 3gbps, then there is nothing I can do.

C'mon, there is always room for improvement. Is there a hidden way from the BIOS to unlock it?

[corephil]

I see no expert knows. 

I hope to get a clear and direct answer to my question.

Thank you anyways.

[Huffer]

Since we do not work for HP we are not privy to all of their design engineering specifications. I might be dumb but I do not understand how you can say SATA-III is working fine but limited to 3gbps....that is the (theoretical) top transfer rate for SATA-II so if that is as fast as it goes, isn't it working in SATA-II mode, not SATA-III which tops out at 6gbps? And then there is the question how it impacts your use of the computer since the top burst speed is largely theoretical and in normal use, hardly ever comes into play. I can tell you there is no hidden door with secret BIOS settings....the BIOS are very sparse as you can see and that is done on purpose I am sure.

[corephil]

Thank you for your response Huffer!

Though this is more of a clarification, what I meant is that my sata3 SSD is working fine while having a transfer rate of 3gbps only. By the way, is there a way to set it to run in SATA2 mode? If that is the case, then there should also be a way to set it to run in sata3 mode. I am wondering since you asked "...isn't it working in SATA-II mode, not SATA-III which tops out at 6gbps?"

As for your question of how it impacts my computing use, my answer is NO impact at all (for the time being). But I can say that sata3 controllers and sata3 SSDs are not designed for nothing.

Anyway, I appreciate your indirect way of saying that it is not known whether or not the 6gbps transfer rate is supported while having a 6gbps controller in the hardware "Since we do not work for HP we are not privy to all of their design engineering specifications." Because since my query was posted, nobody has ever answered the question directly or indirectly.

[Tinux]

Hi corephil,

I was also quit sure this model (6460b) should support a SATA 600 drive.

I'm not sure but I thought I read somewhere in the marketing bullsh*t this model has SATA 600.

Aand it should considering Intels HM65 chipset being used

Well I mounted an Intel SSD 520 series and guess what: Intels Rapid Storage Technology tool shows its connected at 3.0Gb/s.

A simple test with HD Tune "only" gets to 191MB/s

I installed Ubtuntu besides Windows 7.

I could only do a read test with Ubunut which reached 285MB/s.

A 'grep' on SATA through the messages log showed the kernel detected a 6.0Gb/s capable controller but connected the SSD (and my second drive) at 3.0Gb/s.

By the way: where did you get BIOS F.25 ?

HP support site only provides F.22 which has the following enhancement: Provides support for the SATA 3.0 SSD hard drive.

Regards,

Martijn

[corephil]

Hello Martijn,

Thank you for this new confirmation from you. We are exactly in the same situation, while we used different utilities to find it out. I used both my 128 GB Samsung 830 and Crucial M4, but  got the SATA2 transfer rate. The HM65 supports the SATA3 transfer rate, but in this case I believe the limitation to the SATA2 transfer rate is being set.

The F.25 BIOS was released in March, and it was indicated as "CRITICAL" update.

I am not sure why it was removed  later in April, and I can not find it anymore. But if you are interested, I can send to you the BIOS file and the Document of the update.

Following is the extract of the F.25 BIOS description which is indicated as "CRITICAL".

TITLE:  HP Notebook System BIOS Update

VERSION:  F.25 REV: 

DESCRIPTION: 

This package creates files that contain an image of the System BIOS (ROM)for the supported notebook models with a 68SCE and 68SCF Family ROM. This package is used to flash the System ROM on support notebook.

This package includes several methods for updating the BIOS version, as follows:

- Use the HPQFlash Utility to update the BIOS directly in a 

  Microsoft Windows Operating System environment.

- Create a bootable USB Key to update the system BIOS.

- Use System Software Manager (SSM) to update the system BIOS on 

  target PCs in a network.

NOTE: To determine the ROM family and ROM date, press F10 on the target notebook/laptop during startup to run the Setup Utility, and then view File/System Information.

PURPOSE:  Critical

SoftPaq NUMBER:  SP56699

EFFECTIVE DATE:  March 27, 2012

CATEGORY:  BIOS

SSM SUPPORTED:  YES

DEVICES SUPPORTED  N/A: 

PREREQUISITES:  None

HOW TO USE: 

1.    Download the file by clicking the "Download" or "Obtain 

   Software" button and saving the file to a folder on your hard 

   drive (make a note of the folder where the downloaded file is

   saved).

2. Depending on the desired update method, complete either of the

   Following steps:

a.    To update the BIOS using HPQFlash or to create a bootable disk

on key,double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions.

   OR

b.    To use HP System Software Manager (SSM) to update the BIOS on notebooks/laptops in a network, copy the downloaded file to the file store and then run the SSM software.

[corephil]

@ Martijn, here is the info I found why the BIOS F.25 was recalled.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-business-class-notebooks/601489-current-hp-business-bios-releases...