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#1
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
Hi, all.
I have an Asus M4A79 mainboard, and 4x640GB WDD SATA disks. The mainboard has RAID controller functionality, but I wasn't able to get it to work before my patience ran out, and I've seen some reviews that the stability of RAID under this chipset is questionable. I want to find a decent, reliable PCIE RAID controller that won't break the bank. I'm not as interested in data protection (parity disks) as I am in performance, specifically read performance. I expect I might go with straight striping across the 4 disks. I've seen some reviews of brand names like Areca (looks entirely rock- solid, but looks too pricey - looks like more server-class stuff) and 3ware (haven't dialed in a specific model that I'd likely go for). I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for manufacturers (or specific models) to look at for such stuff... Thanks!! BD. |
#2
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
BD wrote:
Hi, all. I have an Asus M4A79 mainboard, and 4x640GB WDD SATA disks. The mainboard has RAID controller functionality, but I wasn't able to get it to work before my patience ran out, and I've seen some reviews that the stability of RAID under this chipset is questionable. I want to find a decent, reliable PCIE RAID controller that won't break the bank. Does not exist. In my experience, you are going to pay more for the controller than the disks, if you want to avoid FakeRAID controllers (i.e. BIOS software RAID). In data point: Avoid Adaptec. Their products are utter Trash and have been for decades. It seems they enjoy a good reputation though (just like 3COM, the worst network cards I ever saw), so some people recommend them highly. I can only guess they have not tried the alternatives or that most alternatives are even worse. Arcea is fast, expensive and does not have an in-kernel driver under Linux. 3ware has a good name, works well in Linux, but again, expensive. I'm not as interested in data protection (parity disks) as I am in performance, specifically read performance. I expect I might go with straight striping across the 4 disks. I've seen some reviews of brand names like Areca (looks entirely rock- solid, but looks too pricey - looks like more server-class stuff) and 3ware (haven't dialed in a specific model that I'd likely go for). If you want a real RAID controller, you basically have not much choice. And the prices are entriely ordinary for hardware RAID. In addition, you need to get a second controller for data recovery if the controller fails. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for manufacturers (or specific models) to look at for such stuff... Use software RAID. At least under Linux with PCI-E attached SATA controllers, it is pretty fast. If not fast enough, ude 3ware or Arcea. Arno |
#3
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
BD wrote:
Hi, all. I have an Asus M4A79 mainboard, and 4x640GB WDD SATA disks. The mainboard has RAID controller functionality, but I wasn't able to get it to work before my patience ran out, and I've seen some reviews that the stability of RAID under this chipset is questionable. I want to find a decent, reliable PCIE RAID controller that won't break the bank. I'm not as interested in data protection (parity disks) as I am in performance, specifically read performance. I expect I might go with straight striping across the 4 disks. I've seen some reviews of brand names like Areca (looks entirely rock- solid, but looks too pricey - looks like more server-class stuff) and 3ware (haven't dialed in a specific model that I'd likely go for). I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for manufacturers (or specific models) to look at for such stuff... Thanks!! BD. For simple RAID1 (or equally-simple RAID0), I'd use software RAID; the OS-version, not a controller. The OS overhead for simple RAID should be very low. You'll need to check the docs for your favorite OS to see if it supports RAID for more than two HDs. And, if your OS doesn't have decent docs, then just try it. -- Cheers, Bob |
#4
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
FakeRAID controllers (i.e. BIOS software RAID). In data point: Avoid Adaptec. Their products are utter Trash and have been for decades. Interesting. First I've heard of that. Sounds like you've had some bad experiences with Adaptec and have condemned the whole line as a result. So to be clear: what specifically should I expect to be 'trash' about the Adaptec 5405, which is the unit I'm considering? Tomshardware, MaxPC both seem to favor it. Do you know something they don't about this one? If there's nothing 'trash' about this specific model, perhaps if you could avoid generalization and suggest something that I can quantify... clearly you know about Adaptec and whatever problems they'd be expected to have. A couple of specific examples against this model would be helpful. As to the second controller - no, I don't need that. Well, to be specific, my data protection needs are not to the point that I will be buying two controllers. Thanks. |
#5
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
BD wrote:
FakeRAID controllers (i.e. BIOS software RAID). In data point: Avoid Adaptec. Their products are utter Trash and have been for decades. Interesting. First I've heard of that. Sounds like you've had some bad experiences with Adaptec and have condemned the whole line as a result. Well, I lost 300MB of data back in the ESDI days, and I had a more revent 8 drive SATA RAID controller from them, that was missing half the promised features (well, no SMART support despite is being advertized, no commandline utility, despite it being claimed) and crashed every few weeks. I addition, RAID resync took about 15h (software in Linux 4h). Both were aparently design problems. That is 2/2 bad designs about 15 years apart and enough for me to not like them. I also had problems with 2 Adaptec SCSI controllers (of two), after my very good NCR controller lost Linux support. Adaptec SCSI controllers are picky about their cabeling, which is an absolute no-no in a supposedly professional product. So to be clear: what specifically should I expect to be 'trash' about the Adaptec 5405, which is the unit I'm considering? Tomshardware, MaxPC both seem to favor it. Do you know something they don't about this one? I cannot comment on this one. I only know that Adaptec has systematic engineering problems. You may get lucky with a product they have not screwed up. If there's nothing 'trash' about this specific model, perhaps if you could avoid generalization and suggest something that I can quantify... clearly you know about Adaptec and whatever problems they'd be expected to have. A couple of specific examples against this model would be helpful. I am not a hardware evaluator. But after having seen bad design several times out of a company, with no example of good design to offset it, I will stay away and warn others. For this specific model, you need to be sure to have a functional 8x slot or at least a shorer one that is upwards compatible (rear-open connector). Beware that graphics card slots may not work. As to the second controller - no, I don't need that. Well, to be specific, my data protection needs are not to the point that I will be buying two controllers. Just a warning. Arno |
#6
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
For this specific model, you need to be sure to have a functional 8x slot or at least a shorer one that is upwards compatible (rear-open connector). Beware that graphics card slots may not work. Okay, I'll keep those things in mind. I'm pretty sure I have a full slot free. Physical space in my case is a different issue. I'll keep scouring forums for additional feedback on the model I'm considering. I agree that I'd be pretty annoyed if I'd experienced what you'd been through - but it seems to me that if all their gear were that dodgy, they'd have a tough time staying in business at all. Thanks! |
#7
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
BD wrote:
For this specific model, you need to be sure to have a functional 8x slot or at least a shorer one that is upwards compatible (rear-open connector). Beware that graphics card slots may not work. Okay, I'll keep those things in mind. I'm pretty sure I have a full slot free. Physical space in my case is a different issue. I'll keep scouring forums for additional feedback on the model I'm considering. Always a good idea. I agree that I'd be pretty annoyed if I'd experienced what you'd been through - but it seems to me that if all their gear were that dodgy, they'd have a tough time staying in business at all. Well, that is what I thought when I bought the second controller. Turns out I was wrong. They might have mended their ways by now, but I somehow doubt it. On the other hand, I was pretty angry at them with more than a week of time wasted, so I am certainly not the most objective judge here. Anyways, please post your experiences here, so that they get documented. Arno |
#8
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
BD wrote:
Hi, all. I have an Asus M4A79 mainboard, and 4x640GB WDD SATA disks. The mainboard has RAID controller functionality, but I wasn't able to get it to work before my patience ran out, and I've seen some reviews that the stability of RAID under this chipset is questionable. I want to find a decent, reliable PCIE RAID controller that won't break the bank. I'm not as interested in data protection (parity disks) as I am in performance, specifically read performance. I expect I might go with straight striping across the 4 disks. I've seen some reviews of brand names like Areca (looks entirely rock- solid, but looks too pricey - looks like more server-class stuff) and 3ware (haven't dialed in a specific model that I'd likely go for). I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for manufacturers (or specific models) to look at for such stuff... Thanks!! BD. Go SW-RAID on so few disks. Modern multi cores - you wont feel a thing :-) Og buying SATA RAID complete system, but that is another thing. /Lars H. |
#9
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
Avoid Arnie's bull**** advice, especially on RAID.
Software RAID is the proper desktop solution, you only use hardware RAID 5/6 on servers. DO NOT use RAID controllers for RAID 0, this has been part of Window for ages. "Arno" wrote in message ... I want to find a decent, reliable PCIE RAID controller that won't break the bank. Does not exist. In my experience, you are going to pay more for the controller than the disks, if you want to avoid FakeRAID controllers (i.e. BIOS software RAID). In data point: Avoid Adaptec. Their products are utter Trash and have been for decades. It seems they enjoy a good reputation though (just like 3COM, the worst network cards I ever saw), so some people recommend them highly. I can only guess they have not tried the alternatives or that most alternatives are even worse. |
#10
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Looking for decent SATA RAID controller
Eric Gisin wrote:
Avoid Arnie's bull**** advice, especially on RAID. Software RAID is the proper desktop solution, you only use hardware RAID 5/6 on servers. Interestingly, I advised using software RAID. I take it then, that you consider your own advice "bull****"? Arno |
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