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Computer setup question (s/w vs h/w RAID)

Started by irreversible Jun 10, 2006 at 7:27 AM 5 replies 700+ views
Original Post
irreversible
irreversible
The base setup I'm going for is basically this: Intel Pentium D 830 (dual-core, 3.0 GHz) 1 GB RAM I want a RAID controller to mirror two 160 GB SATA drives. However, looking around, I can find prices ranging from qute affordable to twenty times that. I presume the number of ports is the primary factor here: since I only want to mirror two drives, I can go for the cheaper solution. Right? Examples: Innovision DM-8301R SATA RAID (RAID 0,1,0+1), 2 ports, PCI roughly $40 Serial ATA 3Ware Escalade 8506-8, 8 ports, RAID0-10, JBOD, PCI, Retail roughly $800 The first one doesn't support RAID modes 2-6 and has 6 fewer ports. Is that it? Or should I also keep something else in mind? Furthermore, what is the overhead for software RAID systems (why are hardware-based RAID's considered so much better?) and would that overhead have any impact on the abovementioned system?
tstrimp
tstrimp
As with anything computer related price effects more then just features. Where I work we use nothing but 3Com raid cards because we seemed to have more problems with raid corruption when using cheaper generic cards. You don't need an 8 port card but make sure you don't just get the cheapest 2 port card you can find.
Toolmaker
Toolmaker
Promise makes excellent RAID controllers aswell. I had a built-in Promise RAID array in my older computer, and I installed a Promise FastTrak 2300 in the machine of a client.

I had some problems with that card due to it being faulty, but they gave me a new one without problems. Works like a glance now.

Toolmaker
 
irreversible
irreversible
So, the golden rule of the universe - buy the second worst (cheapest) and if that won't work, reconsider, and you'll be golden - applies?

My dilemma is choosing between a built-in software RAID controller on the motherboard or spending the least possible feasible amount of money on a hardware controller (hence the question in the OP about the difference between the two).

Promise FastTrak (S150) comes at about $150, which is a little steep for me unfortunately.
tstrimp
tstrimp
Quote:
Original post by irreversible
So, the golden rule of the universe - buy the second worst (cheapest) and if that won't work, reconsider, and you'll be golden - applies?

My dilemma is choosing between a built-in software RAID controller on the motherboard or spending the least possible feasible amount of money on a hardware controller (hence the question in the OP about the difference between the two).

Promise FastTrak (S150) comes at about $150, which is a little steep for me unfortunately.


If you haven't purchased a motherboard yet there are plenty out there with integrated raid chips. I'm not sure about the Pentium side but I believe the NForce 4 spec calls for hardware raid integrated.
irreversible
irreversible
Quote:
Original post by tstrimp
If you haven't purchased a motherboard yet there are plenty out there with integrated raid chips. I'm not sure about the Pentium side but I believe the NForce 4 spec calls for hardware raid integrated.


Too bad they don't make nForce motherboards for the LGA775... Thanks for the tip, though.
Demus79
Demus79

How about Adaptec SATA Raid controller ?

http://a-c.stores.yahoo.net/adsatraid121.html

Works pretty well for me.

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