Beginning with the Intel RST 12.0 Release version, the Dynamic Storage Accelerator (DSA) feature is supported.
System BIOS must include the ACPI method GLTS (Get Dynamic Storage Accelerator Status) implemented.
The default is ‘Off’; it must be set to ‘On’ to enable DSA.
DSA can only be enabled on specific SKUs of the Intel 8-Series chipset platforms, as follows:
QM87, HM87, Q87, Z87 (and only with Core branded CPUs).
What does DSA do exactly?
Through the RST UI in Windows, your storage performance can be optimized by allowing DSA
to manage the gear setting based on the current Windows power-plan and detected I/O activity.
The feature can be configured to one of two modes:
1. Automatic: DSA is enabled and is optimizing your system’s CPU C-state by using the
Windows Power plan setting and the dynamic I/O activity detected on the system.
2. Manual: DSA is enabled and will operate in one of three "gears" that you set, regardless of the Windows power plan setting.
Those are: Power saver gear, Balanced gear, High performance gear
DSA is supported on the following Operating Systems:
Windows 7 (32bit, 64bit)
Windows 8 (32bit, 64bit)