For optimal performance a stripe size of 128k is the best.
Unfortunately the problem with not getting the stellar high transfer rates is related to limitation in the Windows operating systems, and how it manages the sectors it read/writes; this is still the case even in Windows XP & Windows Server 2003.
The best performance I’ve been able to get is with Windows Server 2003 configured as a workstation as opposed to a server operating system, and the best I can get with 15K Raid 0 drives is a sustain transfer read/write of 42MB/s-44MB/s
UNIX operating systems are able to provide the best transfer rates using SCSI drives individually or in Raid configurations.
I just installed the best controller card I’ve ever tested:
Adaptec 39320A-R – it’s for U320 interface drives, but its backward compatible; it’s like Raid 0 on steroids.
I have a 530 and got rid of the $ 600.00 PERC Raid 3/DC, the performance with raid was appalling, 50/mb/s, with U320 drives and Raid 0 configurations.
After purchasing the Adaptec on EBay for $ 200.00 brand new, I installed six drives and created two Raid 0 configurations: 2 Seagate 73 GB 15K & 2 Fujitsu 146 GB 10K drives.
After testing the Raid speed the results were: Stripe size = 64K
And this is from a Workstation 530 66 PCI interface.
The great thing with the card is that will allow you to create Raid and also JBOD configuration on the same channel. The PERC Card will create a raid configuration despite of the number of drives used.
Since I don’t use Raid 5 for protection, I need performance most; I have two other 146GB attached as individual drives, to backup critical database files, and Graphic design files.
I just purchased another card for my second workstation.
Chipstone
525 Posts
0
September 29th, 2004 15:00
Unfortunately the problem with not getting the stellar high transfer rates is related to limitation in the Windows operating systems, and how it manages the sectors it read/writes; this is still the case even in Windows XP & Windows Server 2003.
The best performance I’ve been able to get is with Windows Server 2003 configured as a workstation as opposed to a server operating system, and the best I can get with 15K Raid 0 drives is a sustain transfer read/write of 42MB/s-44MB/s
UNIX operating systems are able to provide the best transfer rates using SCSI drives individually or in Raid configurations.
Chipstone
525 Posts
0
November 25th, 2004 17:00
I just installed the best controller card I’ve ever tested:
Adaptec 39320A-R – it’s for U320 interface drives, but its backward compatible; it’s like Raid 0 on steroids.
I have a 530 and got rid of the $ 600.00 PERC Raid 3/DC, the performance with raid was appalling, 50/mb/s, with U320 drives and Raid 0 configurations.
After purchasing the Adaptec on EBay for $ 200.00 brand new, I installed six drives and created two Raid 0 configurations: 2 Seagate 73 GB 15K & 2 Fujitsu 146 GB 10K drives.
After testing the Raid speed the results were: Stripe size = 64K
15K Raid 0:
Burst Rate = 230/Mb/s
Seek Speed = 5.6/Ms
Sustained Transfer = 146/Mb/s
10K Raid 0:
Burst Rate = 190/Mb/s
Seek Speed = 7.9/Ms
Sustained Transfer = 132/Mb/s
And this is from a Workstation 530 66 PCI interface.
The great thing with the card is that will allow you to create Raid and also JBOD configuration on the same channel. The PERC Card will create a raid configuration despite of the number of drives used.
Since I don’t use Raid 5 for protection, I need performance most; I have two other 146GB attached as individual drives, to backup critical database files, and Graphic design files.
I just purchased another card for my second workstation.