IDE devices and speed and optimum setup

[Onezentide]

Hi everybody.

Another thing I was wondering:

Does the number of devices on the IDE port have an effect on the overall speed of the computer.

For instance, if you have 3 HD on IDE 1, and a DVD, a burner and a zip on IDE 2, does that make for a slower computer than having just 1 HD and 1 Drive on each IDE?

If I still go with the 3 devices on each IDE port, is there a more optimal setup? 3 HD on one and the rest on the other, or a combination of HD and optical devices on each port.

Look forward to your thoughts.

 

[Dman877]

People still use zip drives? .

Anyway, yes all those devices will slow things down if you are using them simultaneously ie copying files from hd to hd on the same cable. I assume your board doesn't support raid? Also, something to consider, most ide channels only support 2 devices.

 

[kamper]

Never heard of an IDE channel that can handle 3 devices! pics perhaps?

You'll notice slowdowns when you've got 2 devices on one channel both trying to use as much bandwidth as they can fill. For instance, I used to have a cd burner and a dvd rom on one channel. I was trying to burn cds while watching a dvd. The dvd would pause every now and then and I probably turned out a couple of coasters too. Dman's example of hd to hd transfers is good too.

If you can try to keep everything on seperate channels, and if you can't, maybe try pairing the frequently used ones with the less frequently used ones. Watch carefully for slowdowns and if you don't have any problems with a particular setup then you're fine. If you have intolerable bottlenecks and have no more ide controllers you could also consider buying a pci card with more controllers.

 

[EeyoreX]

The amount of slowdown you are likely to experience is going to be minimal. The fastest current tested ATA drive is the WD 74GB Raptor. THis drive has topped out at about 65MB/s. No other IDE drive can pump those speeds. So unless you are simultaneously accessing more than 2 devices or your computer is otherwise slow or you have a lot on the PCI bus, you won't notice all that much (if any) real world difference.

\Dan

 

[Onezentide]

Is a SATA PCI card with a SATA HD to replace one of the IDE HD a worthy option?

Costco has a SATA 160 MB Maxtor HD with the SATA adapter for $129.

I may need to free up one of the IDE slots for a DVD burner that I am getting to replace my SCSI CD-RW.

 

[0roo0roo]

copying from drives on same cable = slow down. if you really care, get a cheap 18 dollar silicon image ide controller for devices 3-4

 

[Onezentide]

What About a SATA controller?