Need SCSI help........... Stripe size???

[boshuter]

I'm installing an Adeptec 29320R scsi raid card to replace my 39160. There is an option in the raid bios setup to select the stripe size. It gives 16K, 32K, and 64K as the choices. Can someone tell me what the "stripe size" is, and what size it should be.

I'm using XP Pro, and (2) 36gig 15K second gen Cheetah's.

Any help is appreciated....🙂

 

[dkozloski]

Stripe size is the size of the data chunks that are alternately written to the drives in the array. The best way to find the best stripe size for you is to do some experimenting for yourself. My experience is that the best size for today is the wrong size for tomorrows data. Luckily enough it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference.

 

[boshuter]

Thanks for the response........ guess I'll start with 32K and go from there. I assume this can be changed without having to reload everything? 😀

 

[selene]

if you ghost ur drive up, you can just restore it to the next size. I tried 32k and 64k, for the 100s computer i manage, the speed difference isnt there for me to go around re-doing all the stripe size. But your mobo and application makes a difference.

 

[boshuter]

I would mainly like to have it set up for video capture, that and some gaming is mostly what I use it for. The video stuff is the most important. Some of my system specs are below if that helps.

P4 2.6c @ 3.41
Asus P4P800
(2) 512 Corsair XMS PC3500
Adaptec 29320R w/ (2) 36gig 15K cheetah's
FIC 9800pro

 

[sh4nsen]

Go with the largest stripe size possible then, it will help performance. If you are playing with large media always go with a large stripe size. If working with lots of small files then go with a small stripe size.

 

[dkozloski]

If you use large stripe sizes make sure you have the PCI bus latency timer set in CMOS so the write operations are completed otherwise write performance goes to ziltch. This is an easy area to experiment in without having to reload software. I use ATTO ExpressPro tools to check performance as adjustments are made.