I need SATA and PATA RAID controller cards!

Spinner

Okay people, I'm in the first stages of planning my next upgrade, which will result in my main rig having its primaries upgraded and then the old gear will be used as a foundation for a completely new system.

Basically, I'm looking to replace my KR7A with a KV7 (any thoughts on that would be great), which as you all know is a KT600 based board with SATA RAID. The problem is I haven't enough money to replace my current RAID setup (2x 1200JB's PATA) with SATA devices, but I want RAID to remain on my main rig, so I'm gonna need a PATA RAID controller card to slap in the KV7 (so I can continue using my 1200JB's in RAID). Which then brings me to the system which will be built around the replaced components (e.g KR7A, XP2000+ etc), the KR7A is the RAID version so has a PATA onboard RAID chip but no SATA controller, and for that system I still want it to have pretty descent access times, so I'm planning to get a single SATA 10,000rpm drive for it, but like I've said, it hasn't got a SATA controller. So...

I would like your recommendations for cheap, but not crappy PCI controller cards. I need one PATA RAID, preferably HPT and one SATA basic controller (for the KR7A), but RAID would be nice for upgrade potential. Also, are there actually any PATA RAID VIA KT600 based mobo's out there? I presume there isn't, but I'm just curious.

Any help, advice, recommendations would be great. Bare in mind, I'm looking for cheap cheap cheap here people, nothing fancy, just good enough to do the job without any issues. Also, remember I'm in the UK!

Cheers

SPINNER

TheLostSwede

Spinner,

Why not go for a HPT 374 card with 4 channels? In your case, it will be cheaper and you will have much more space than with 2 raptors. You can use the 2 drives you have now but just add a drive when you see a deal. The difference isn´t huge between the Raptor and the Se´s anyway.

Spinner

Yeah, that's what I'm after, but I would have no use for a 4 channel card. I'm not planning on getting two SATA drives, I just need a controller to run one Raptor on a KR7A which doesn't have a SATA controller onboard and in turn need a PATA RAID controller to run my SE's on the new mobo, which has a SATA RAID but not a PATA RAID controller. You follow bud?

HPT374 is great, just after some advice about which actual model/make to get.

EDIT - Can anyone confirm what controller chips the below PCI cards use? Are they HPT or Promise, or are they native Adaptec? I can't seem to find out.

?? "...and is managed by Adaptec Storage Manager™ - Browser Edition." ??

Serial ATA RAID: http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/proddetail.html?sess=no&language=English+US&prodkey=AAR-1210SA&cat=%2fTechnology%2fRAID%2fSerial+ATA+RAID

PATA RAID: http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/proddetail.html?sess=no&language=English+US&prodkey=AAR-1200A&cat=%2fTechnology%2fRAID%2fATA+RAID

Spinner

Okay well I've found a pair of cards which I think will suit my needs.

1) Mercury Serial ATA150 PCI Card (£32)

2) Highpoint Rocket 133 (£57)

Any objections? any better products out there for the same price?

TheLostSwede

I guess the mercury has the silicon chip on it or?

It´s a dang fast chip together with the raptor. Storagereview recommends the combo.

Spinner

Oh good. Looks like that's what I'll get, providing I can get the funds together. Ideally I would like to upgrade my 1200JB's to two Raptors, but 1) the small capacity isn't to my liking and 2) I can't afford them.

It seems a bit silly having to buy two new controllers when I will already have the controllers onboard two mobo's, but keeping a RAID 0 setup on my main rig (the one which I'm looking at putting a KV7 in) is top priority, so that means I need to add PATA RAID functionality to it as well (So I can run those SE's). Still... The Raptor looks like it will run nicely on my KR7A with that controller.

Seeing as your here Mack', what are your thoughts on the KV7? hadn't had much time to look into it yet (I obviously will before I buy it).

TheSmJ

Why a KT600 board?

Might as well hold out for the Athlon64...

Thrax

The KT600 chipset, like it's KT400 processor promises a lot and delivers very little. It's STILL slower than the nForce2, has been reported as slightly buggy and unstable, and still doesn't offer locked PCI/AGP.

VIA once again remains in the dark on producing worthy chipset upgrades.

Spinner

Hmm, well that's why I asked... ha ha:D. I certainly wasn't very impressed with the KD7 I put in my girlfriends rig 6 months ago, however, I didn't really go anywhere near the config's it hated the most i.e DDR400.

I guess I'll have another look at the nForce 2 boards. I really need to catch up on some reading, I used to read a motherboard or chipset review every couple of days, now I almost never have time to keep uptodate with all the new gear on the market. Still... that's what you guys are for.;)

I'll have another nosy around, and then get back to you with my motherboard revisions.

Cheers guys. I'll post back in the morning.

Thrax

Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0
Abit nf7-S 2.0

//end of acceptable motherboard listing

Spinner

How did I know that was coming?:D

Thanks Thrax, after comparing the KV7 to the NF7-S v2, it seems obvious which is the better choice. I almost made the move to nForce when I last upgraded, but I still wasn't totally onboard with first generation novelty items, however I do agree that nVidia have certainly proven their worth, so NF7-S v2 is in the top spot for me now... any other suggestions, is there no other nForce 2 based board better than ABIT's? Not that I'm against ABIT, I love them dearly, just keeping an open mind.

Cheers;)

Hmmm, I seem to have dragged this thread a little off topic... doh! I guess I'll maybe split it in the morning.

TheLostSwede

I will agree with that the NF7 is an awesome board, yes. However, feature-wise it isn´t the best really as it is pretty standard. It is the best overclocker without a doubt though.

How about the NF7-S 2.0, a simple HPT 372, and one Raptor to start with?

Spinner

I'm getting tempted just to sod the cost, and fork out for two Raptors, it would save me having to buy two controller cards and I do have spare large capacity HD's I can use to make up for the lack in capacity.

/me goes off to have another think.

The problem is, it's that bloody Athlon XP 3200+ (that's what I'm thinking of getting for the new CPU), it's well expensive. It's digging very deep into my budget.

TheLostSwede

You can get a 2100 or a 1700 for peanuts and a SLK cooler, you can easily run at 3200 speeds dead stable without any mods on the board, you´ll save a lot of money. The 3200 cpu is probably the worst cpu you can buy right now IMO.

The 1700 or 2100 should look like the following to be good: JIUHB 1700 DLT3C from week 10 and newer. If you llok at a local smallish computerstore, they probably have cpu´s left from that week. I have even bought great steppings from Pc World a few times even if i hate that store with all my guts. £40 for the cpu and another £25-30 for the cooler with a good fan will get you to 3200 speeds and even above in most of the times. How much money would that save you for harddrives/controller cards/motherboard?

Spinner

Mackanz said
You can get a 2100 or a 1700 for peanuts and a SLK cooler, you can easily run at 3200 speeds dead stable without any mods on the board, you´ll save a lot of money. The 3200 cpu is probably the worst cpu you can buy right now IMO.

The 1700 or 2100 should look like the following to be good: JIUHB 1700 DLT3C from week 10 and newer. If you llok at a local smallish computerstore, they probably have cpu´s left from that week. I have even bought great steppings from Pc World a few times even if i hate that store with all my guts. £40 for the cpu and another £25-30 for the cooler with a good fan will get you to 3200 speeds and even above in most of the times. How much money would that save you for harddrives/controller cards/motherboard?

Yeah you're right, but I want the extra cache! I am still thinking about which CPU to get, the performance gain the 3200+ has over the 3000+ is tiny, and then there is the old 2800+'s (2.25ghz) to consider. I'm also keen to get my BUS speed up to 400mhz accross the board, though that desire really is more superficial more than anything, as the 400mhz bus speed the 3200+ runs at hasn't exactly proven itself to be the benefactor it could be, probably because the 3200+ really isn't clocked fast enough over that of 333mhz bus based Barton's, to show a big difference.

TheLostSwede

Would you really benefit that much from that extra cache really? So much that it´s worth an extra £200 or whatever the 3200 costs? I´m not getting a new cpu until they are sure to hit 3 gigs on air really. The difference betweeen 2.4-30 gigs isn´t noticeable for the way i am using the pc and i wouldnt notice the extra cache either. I know what i´m saying is a bit boring, but it´s the truth.

Spinner

I know, I do agree with you, but unfortunately my computer component buying decisions are only half based on the performance/economy balancing act. The other half, I'm afraid to say, is the vanity factor. I like having the best, otherwise the upgrade seems pointless. I don't really need the extra CPU power, apart for folding/UD'ing, I mean my 'Palomino' 1.67ghz runs great, and is hardly out of date, but part of being a computer enthusiast to me is keeping your PC modern and up to date, with not just performance, but with component technology as well.

I'm definately going to get a 'Barton', there is no question about that, which one to get however is still being decided, obviously. I agree though that the 3200+ is in retrospect too expensive to justify its purchase, based on its performance attributes. If I could get my hands on a 3000+ which had a 400mhz bus, then I wouldn't hesitate to look away from the 3200+. Which ever way you look at it, the 3200+ at the moment is unique, that is attractive to me. And even if only by a little, it is the fastest AMD CPU, at least in terms of basic performance.

TheLostSwede

One thing you have to look out for if you buy a 3000 is that lately here in europe, several of the 3000 have been false. A friend bought one which booted at a default voltage of 1.7 volts. He checked it out closely and noticed that someone had tampered with the bridges and made a false id sticker on it. The online shop looked into it further and found several more of them. Just a heads up.

Spinner

Hmmm, curious, thanks... I'll watch out, but I guess I'll have no way of knowing till I actually get receipt of a CPU. But I always examine them carefully before trying them out. I hate knock off's, I can just imagine it, some poor guy orders a new Athlon 64, amazingly he found somewhere which sold them before any other retailer, just to find it labelled on the core as a Cyrix XP. Ha ha, it does happen.

Still, if I buy a 3000+, I expect to get a 3000+. Not some unlocked 1700+ pretender.

TheLostSwede

Spinner, this was from a known retailer, they guys who buy 10,000 cpu´s directly from Amd, not a joke Ebay trade.

Spinner

Spinner, this was from a known retailer, the guys who buy 10,000 cpu´s directly from Amd, not a joke Ebay trade.

Yeah I got that bud, sorry, I was just being silly. Who do you think messed with it then? Surely you don't think AMD are sending out false batches? Whose the middle man?

Tex

I didn't read the whole thread Spinnen but I have a hpt 4 channel SATA raid controller I might make ya a sweet deal on actually.
Includes 4 cables and 4 ide to sata converters. The friggin converters alone are worth almost 60 bucks.

Tex

Spinner

Tex said
I didn't read the whole thread Spinnen but I have a hpt 4 channel SATA raid controller I might make ya a sweet deal on actually.
Includes 4 cables and 4 ide to sata converters. The friggin converters alone are worth almost 60 bucks.

Tex

Hey, thanks Tex, I certainly might take you up on that offer, I just haven't decided yet what setups I'm gonna have.

My original desire to find a PCI SATA controller was because I wanted to keep my KR7A boards disk performance above par (once it had been moved out of my primary rig and into another lesser one), i.e with a SATA setup of some sort, perhaps just with a single disk. Where as my existing PATA RAID 0 array would be moved off the KR7A into my new rig (when I get it). However, I'm thinking now about simply buying two new SATA hard drives to put on a the new motherboard for my new rig, to save the need of having to buy extra controllers to accomodate both the old and new motherboards with the disks I plan to put on them. As any new motherboard I buy, will likely come equiped with a SATA RAID controller on board.

So I'm still deciding, but if I do in the end (like I originally suggested) require an additional SATA controller, you're the first person I'll contact. Thanks again for the offer. You da man.

Cheers

TheLostSwede

Spinner said

Spinner, this was from a known retailer, the guys who buy 10,000 cpu´s directly from Amd, not a joke Ebay trade.

Yeah I got that bud, sorry, I was just being silly. Who do you think messed with it then? Surely you don't think AMD are sending out false batches? Whose the middle man?

That middle man is being grilled from all sorts of sides right now i think. They can expect penalties i guess.

Gareth

http://www.siliconimage.com/products/overview_sii3112.asp

Is this of any interest ?

WuGgaRoO

why not just get a xp 2500+ for 88 bucks u cant go wrong with it... i mean i can easily bring it up to 3200+ speeds...and it has the barton core....not to mention im only using a shuttle a35n on that bad boy...and it still runs rock stable...IMHO u should go with the 2500+ if u want the cache...nething more for overclockers is pointless

Spinner

Gareth, thanks, yes that is very helpfull . I do actually shop at that store, I suprisingly didn't notice that card last time I was browsing though, is it a new addition to their stock? Either way, that's a very nicely priced card.

WuGgaRoO, yes sound advice, however... to be perfectly honest. I'm not that keen on overclocking, not in general but for my main rig. Simply because, I cherish silence above all else, and I always have my CPU fan running as low as it can possibly go without overheating the CPU, so as to keep noise levels to a minimum. I've always been hesitant to overclock my main rig/s just for the reason of the extra heat which will need to be dissapated off the CPU, which will obviously require more fan speeds.

My question is though, giving your perfectly valid suggestion the benefit of the doubt, will a 2500+ running at 2.2GHz (3200+ speeds) put out the same amount of heat as a 3200+ running at stock speeds? or will the overclocked 2500+ put out more?

automaton

have you seen the epox with highpoint pata

also the msi board has a promise sata/pata chip

im shopping want pata

The PDC20378 supports RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 arrays across not only two Serial ATA drives, but also two "parallel" ATA drives. Though the chip supports Serial ATA drives on individual channels, "parallel" ATA drives must share a single IDE channel, which will invariably degrade performance in arrays with two PATA drives. Still, the ability to span RAID arrays across multiple drive types is pretty slick.

KT600
http://www.8dimensional.com/mainboard-reviews/epox-motherboards.html#EPoX_8KRA2+_VIA_KT600
http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/msi_KT6DeltaFIS2R/reviews.html


http://www.tech-report.com/reviews/2003q4/kt600s/index.x?pg=1
http://www20.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030908/kt600-01.html
http://www.epoxusa.com/html/reviews.asp?lang=1
http://www.hardwareseeker.com/products/epox_8KRA2p/reviews.html
http://www.mbreview.com/links.php?op=viewslink&sid=385

http://www.amdmb.com/article-displa...ID=264&PageID=1
http://www.vr-zone.com/reviews/VIA/KT600/
http://www.tomshardware.com/motherb...0908/index.htm

http://www.tech-report.com/reviews/2003q4/kt600s/index.x?pg=6

are you brand specific :shakehead

later