Introduction

This white paper covers the Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) and Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) drive technologies that are provided on the HP Compaq Elite 8000, 8100, 8200, and 8300 (hereafter referred to as the 8000-series) Business PC products. This white paper provides a basic overview of AHCI and RAID technology, supported factory configurations of HP Elite 8000-series Business PCs, other supported RAID configurations, and basic instructions on how to migrate non-RAID to RAID configurations in the field. HP also provides a Smart IV Hard Drive technical white paper for Smart IV Technology on HP Business Desktop Hard Drives on www.hp.com. The HP Compaq Elite 8300 also supports disk caching, which is described in a separate white paper “Configuring HP Elite 8300 Systems for Intel Smart Response Technology” available on www.hp.com .

AHCI is a hardware mechanism that allows software to communicate with Serial ATA (SATA) devices. It is enumerated as a PCI device and it transfers data between system memory and SATA devices.

The HP Elite dc7900 Business PC was the first HP business PC to have AHCI as the default SATA emulation mode in BIOS. All previous HP business PCs that supported SATA were in IDE (legacy) SATA emulation mode by default.

HP Elite 8000-series Business PC products provide support for AHCI in single and multiple drive configurations.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) employs two or more drives in combination for fault tolerance and performance. Initially used with servers, desktop PCs are increasingly using RAID by adding a RAID controller and extra IDE or SCSI disks.

HP Elite 8000-series Business PCs take advantage of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) technology and the integration of RAID support into select Intel chipsets. Table 1 lists the HP business PC platforms and associated Intel chipsets that provide native RAID support.

Table 1: HP Elite 8000-series Business PCs and Intel chipsets with RAID support

HP business PC	Intel chipset	Chipset components

Elite 8000	Q45 Express	2; Q45	GMCH & 82801 ICH10
Elite 8100	Q57 Express/5 Series	1; Q57	PCH-D0
Elite 8200	Q67 Express/6 series	1; Q67 PCH-D0
Elite 8300	Q77 Express/7 series	1; Q77 PCH-D0

8200 tower specifications

The HP 8200 Tower is a robust desktop computer designed for professional environments, delivering performance and expandability for a variety of business needs. This workstation is part of HP's Elite series, known for its reliability and advanced technologies, making it a sound choice for companies requiring consistent operation.

One of the defining features of the HP 8200 Tower is its versatile processing power, powered by the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. These processors offer a multi-core architecture, ensuring that users can efficiently handle multitasking and processor-intensive applications. With options for up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM, the HP 8200 Tower can smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously, making it suitable for tasks ranging from everyday office work to more demanding software like graphical design programs.

The system also provides a range of storage options, including traditional hard disk drives and faster solid-state drives, allowing users to select the balance of capacity and speed that best suits their needs. Additionally, the HP 8200 supports RAID configurations, enhancing data redundancy and performance, thereby protecting critical business data.

In terms of expandability, the HP 8200 Tower offers multiple PCIe slots for adding graphic cards, sound cards, or other expansion cards. This capability makes it adaptable for various purposes, whether that involves improving graphics performance for video editing or integrating specialized hardware for specific business functions.

The design of the HP 8200 Tower ensures efficient cooling and quiet operation. It features a tool-less chassis, allowing for easy upgrades and maintenance. The internal layout maximizes airflow, keeping components cool even under heavy workloads, an important feature for maintaining long-lasting performance.

Connectivity options are plentiful, with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, enabling speedy data transfer and peripheral connectivity. Additionally, integrated Gigabit Ethernet offers reliable networking capabilities, essential for seamless communication within a business environment.

The HP 8200 Tower showcases HP's commitment to sustainability, featuring energy-efficient components and a design aimed at reducing environmental impact. Overall, this powerful workstation combines performance, expandability, and energy efficiency, making it an excellent choice for any professional setting. With its blend of modern technologies and traditional reliability, the HP 8200 Tower stands out as a dependable tool for businesses looking to enhance productivity.