SCSI controller suggestions

[Serge]

What I need:
SCSI-3 card to use with internal CDRW (plus internal CD-Rom in future), NO HDs will be used. Card should have flashable bios, *nix compatability and be under $70.

Why:
My present card, AHA-2910b takes a LONG time to scan scsi bus on bootup.

Thanks for suggestions.

[This message has been edited by Serge (edited 05-28-2000).]

[Andy_L]

I have a Wtmbios controller that is much quicker than my 2940uw, but it doesn't give you as many configuration options, I didn't know anyone made a SCSI 3 writer

[skywalker[TSG]]

i myself use a Tekram DC 315U scsi card

its wery reliable and can handle pretty high PCI speeds mine is running @44mhz

this card widly shipped with many OEM cd-r burners and such

i would strongly recommend it

the adaptec 2940 is exellent IF u have the money for it @ almost 300$ it too expensive for most people and you dont need 80mb/S for a burner or CD

[hd581]

I use the Tekram DC-390F.
It's Ultra wide, internal 68 pin, internal 50 pin, and an external port (68 pin i think).
Cost me $75 including shipping.

Flashable bios. Works in NT 4.0, and Linux.

[This message has been edited by hd581 (edited 05-28-2000).]

[LJE2]

I agree with the others, why do you need a SCSI 3 controller, it won't transfer data any faster, a SCSI controller will only transfer data at the rate of the slowest device connected to the bus, if you have a CD ROM drive and a CDRW drive connected to any SCSI controller the the fastest the SCSI bus can transfer data is 10Mbytes/s burst speed. 2nd question, why do you need a card with a BIOS (you only need a SCSI card with a BIOS for bootable devices, do you plan on booting to your CDRW drive?)
The AHA-2910b might take longer to boot up than another brand, but you are not going to gain any performance by changing controller cards, are you willing to pay $70 just so your computer will boot up faster?

[Serge]

Thanks for responding everyone.
The only two choices that I had in mind prior to posting the question were:
1) Tekram 390u (http://www.tekram.com/hot_products.asp?Product=DC-390_Series)
2) Adaptec 29160N (http://www.adaptec.com/cgi-bin/selector_desktop.pl#29160n) (still looking up all the info on this one)
<but there's that price issue> http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Andy_L: My scsi-3 burner is CRW8424SZ (http://www.yamaha.com/ycaservice/mp4model/crw8424sz.htm), and I'll think about that controller.

skywalker[TSG]: That card (http://www.tekram.com/hot_products.asp?Product=DC-3X5_Series) doesn't have an on-board bios and I don't see info on it having compatable *nix drivers. Adaptec 2940 (http://www.adaptec.com/products/datasheets/specs/retailaha2940.html) seems like a great card but there's that price issue again. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

hd581: Since I know for sure I won't be using any hds with it, DC-390U seems more reasonable then F, although I still have to look at the price difference (if there's any).

Again, thanks all for posting!

[hd581]

why do you need a SCSI 3 controller, it won't transfer data any faster, a SCSI controller will only transfer data at the rate of the slowest device connected to the bus,Expandability, possibly? What if one day he gets a SCSI-3 drive? He'd be running at half the available bandwidth if he gets a slower controller. Don't know about you but I'd be kicking myself for that if I ever got a SCSI-3 drive.

[Serge]

Bios for boot from cd-rom or burner option, yes, and flashable.. well for obvious reasons. SCSI-3.. well I have a compatable drive so why not? As far as speed, last time I heard a 48x cd-rom could hit only 8Mbytes/s(?)
And ya, expandability is also key.
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[CMonster]

I've been looking at SCSI cards myself, and the Adaptec 2930 looks decent @$99 - I can't really afford/justify buying the 2940 at this time. I wonder if the 2930 is compatible with Linux??

~edit: can't I even spell S-C-S-I..???

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 05-30-2000).]

[cunn0101]

I have the same problem. A7A266 ASUS MB but with an ADAPTEC 3940UW SCSI card, and it does the same hang up. If anyone figures this problem out please e-mail me with the solution ASAP!!!!! Thank you!

[CMonster]

cunn0101 !Talk about resurection ancient threads! But I will forgive you since it's only your 2nd post here at Sysopt - Welcome Aboard!

BTW - I have SCSI in nearly all my systems now and no long initiation problems at all.

*On this Classic Athlon/FIC SD11, there's an Adaptec 29160 with UWSCSI-3 hard disk and SCSI CDROM in addition to my IDE stuff;

*On my Thunderbird/A7V system I have an Advansys Ultra Wide 40 MB/s with SCSI CDROM, CDRW, and Older UW2 Hard disk.

SCSI is great but still way too expensive. My Quantum UATA-100 drives provide nearly identical performance for home use but at a fraction of the cost.

[Stan]

Hi,

I would definitely go for the Adaptec 19160.
I installed one of these in a colleague's PC. He uses a CD, ZIP, tape backup and CDRW on that controller... no problem so far.

At home, I have a 2940UW and a 2100s... great performance !

Stan

[otheos]

well the Tekram U3W is at least as fast (and marginally faster) than the 29160, has dual channels (rather than single "smart" channel of the 29160), is 64bit (32bit compatible) has great support in all OS's, it's $100 cheaper than the 29160 and comes with all cables/adaptors.

check the benchmarks at http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200105/2001050329160vsDC-390U3W_1.html

Very nice card (I got one http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

If you don't need the horsepower, Tekram has a full line of SCSI cards that fill any niche and are as fast as the adaptec's only cheaper.