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otheos
11-23-2000, 01:09 AM
With abit (and others) putting IDE RAID controllers on their boards, I decided to investigate a bit. I didn't go far and I am already stuck.

Now the Abit boards are not that much more expensive than non RAID boards (a few $$ more). Also offboard add-on RAID controllers using the HPT370 are dirt cheap ($30 max). So everybody RAID's cheaply.

But I went to Adaptec's and their IDE RAID (ATA66) add-on PCI card is $400. That's over ten times more expensive. I am sure there must be a difference!!

Any comments?
muno
11-23-2000, 01:22 AM
Adaptec cards cost generally always more. Haven't you seen the scsi-controller card prices? Ultrawide scsi adapter costs 1200mk(that's about $160) and equal tekram one costs $50. Don't know if adaptec puts some hidden ufo-tech in their cards but I'd never buy one because they're always so expensice.
-M
otheos
11-23-2000, 01:26 AM
Ok, I see that, but we are talking 10x more! not 3-4x. There surely must be something more.
Stan
11-23-2000, 02:08 AM
Also, the only RAID IDE controller that Adaptec sells is a RAID 5 RAID controller with on-board memory (memory that you can upgrade).

The HPT370 is "only" a RAID0/1/1,0 controller.
The Adpatec AAA-UDMA (http://www.adaptec.com/products/overview/ultra_dma.html) can implement RAID0/1/5/1,0

The other company that sells a RAID5 IDE controller is Promise with its SuperTrak controller.

Stan

[This message has been edited by Stan (edited 11-23-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Stan (edited 11-23-2000).]
otheos
11-23-2000, 04:08 AM
So is RAID 5 and 2Mbit (aka 256Kbyte) of memory worth the 10x higher price? I still insist there must be something else. Keep it up!
Stan
11-23-2000, 04:29 AM
Hi,

Well, it is not 2Mbit, but 2MByte !!!!
Further more, you can upgrade the RAM to 64MB.
The controller has an on-board RAID co-processor.
A RAID5 array requires a more complex controller that a RAID0,1 array.

Stan
otheos
11-24-2000, 08:18 AM
Ok, it's RAID 5 that makes all the difference.

It requires a minimum of 3 drives with the 3rd as parity. It is the reason why RAID was invented (with RAID 3) and it is the mode used by servers. RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 is for home users.

RAID 5 needs a processor + memory, which makes everything 10x more expensive.