Ultra 66 Testing

[Danksalot]

I just bought a new Motherboard that supports Ultra/66 transfer rates. I also have a HD that supports it too. When I connect them using the rules the MB manual says for Ultra 66 transfer rates, I really dont see that much of a difference. Is there a way to test that I am getting 66 MB/sec tranfer rates?

[Bleeding Edge]

HD Tach verifies the burst rate. You may or may not have to use the older version for compatibility reasons. The burst rate should ATA33 will be in the high 20s. For ATA66 in the high 50s or so.
http://www.tcdlabs.com/hdtach.htm

[This message has been edited by Bleeding Edge (edited 07-29-2000).]

[Fingers]

ATA-33 and ATA-66 refer to the max. potential burst transfer rate (HDD buffer to memory). You can achieve nowhere near 66Mb/sec or even 33Mb/sec sustained transfer rates. You'll hardly be able to notice any differencs between ATA-33 and ATA-66 without using benchmarking utilities.

[Bleeding Edge]

That's correct. Sustained transfer speeds at these rates are not part of the ATA33 and ATA66 Standards specifications.

[Brangwen]

IMHO, if you're using a 7200 RPM HDD, you will notice a marked difference in the speed your computer gets data to your screen. It does not have to be running at ATA66, however. Perhaps the more learned members will comment on that.

Brangwen http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif