Use AHCI if you don't want to use raid, it enables new features like NCQ that the normal IDE doesn't. Yes it will cause BSODs when windows is loading if you don't install the driver in windows before changing the setting in the BIOS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance...ller_Interface
If you install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager/Console before changing the setting in the bios you should be fine. But, if you do get a BSOD you can always go back into the BIOS and change it back and try again later. I think if you're using Vista you don't even need to install the driver since it's supported out of the box.
Check this out also if you try it with Vista:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976
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