Question about RAID on the 8k5a2+

[russr]

I'm debating between the 8k5a2 and the 8k5a2+. I like the idea of RAID, not so much for setting up RAID configurations, but for using them RAID as an extra IDE controller.

My only question is, does the RAID controller slow down the booting process of the 8k5a2+ with all of its RAID bios and all that junk? Or basicaly does the 8k5a2+ boot up as fast as the 8k5a2?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It just takes a few more moments to identify the drives and display the array name, but it stills boots to windows very fast.

 

[russr]

I know you can disable the RAID controller in the BIOS. MY question is if you do that, do you still see the RAID bios screen or does the boot process work the same way it would w/o the rAID onboard?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I haven't tried it, sorry. I buy boards with RAID to use it, and I would suggest if you just want it just in case you decide to use it later that you get the non-RAID board as you can get ATA133 raid or controller cards for very cheap if or when you need the function Anyways, maybe someone with a definitive answer will post.

 

[russr]

I would really appreciate it if you could disable it in the bios and just do a quick boot...you can reset as soon as you see it going into windows to avoid screwing up your windows config.

you're right i can always buy an add in card later, but they're more expensive that way.

thanks

 

[Technonut]

If you are running your hard drives on the RAID controller separately, the controller will be enabled in the BIOS. It will slow the boot time into Windows for the Highpoint controller to ID the drives, but how often do you boot your rig? I personally purchase mobos with onboard RAID controllers whenever possible to run all drives as Master on their own channel for the best performance.

For the small difference in cost it does not make sense not to purchase the RAID version IMO.

 

[Salvador]

If you are running your hard drives on the RAID controller separately, the controller will be enabled in the BIOS. It will slow the boot time into Windows for the Highpoint controller to ID the drives, but how often do you boot your rig? I personally purchase mobos with onboard RAID controllers whenever possible to run all drives as Master on their own channel for the best performance.

Heh.. Really? I bought the RAID version for the very same reason why you buy RAID mobo's. I want each drive to be Master on their own IDE channels. Does it really slow the boot time? I have ATA100 Controller card that I was using in another computer so I could have my hard drives on their own channels. What bugged me was the slow bootup time because the system had to detect the card every time on start up before the OS would load. You are saying that if I run both of my hard drives on the RAID channels on this mobo in Non-RAID, I will still have to wait for the system to detect my drives when I boot my computer?

TIA,

Sal

 

[Insane3D]

Any RAID/IDE controller will slow boot time a bit, be it in RAID mode or non RAID mode. The add on cards and the add on chips on the motherboards all have their own bios, and must detect the drives. In most cases this takes about 5 - 10 extra seconds....are you really that busy?

 

[teqwiz]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Any RAID/IDE controller will slow boot time a bit, be it in RAID mode or non RAID mode. The add on cards and the add on chips on the motherboards all have their own bios, and must detect the drives. In most cases this takes about 5 - 10 extra seconds....are you really that busy?

I agree here.You can disable RAID in the BIOS, that is actually how you release the channels for other IDE devices. Be aware that onchip Raid chip does not support ATAPI (CDROM) devices. HDD only. Unless you have 4 Hard Drives, Then why would you need to disable RAID in the first place.
If your goal is to build the fastest booting Computer to show your friends, then build a DOS box. If system performance is what you seek, The why not use RAID 0.
Fault Tolerance? Raid 1 or 5. 3 sux.
If you need support other than HDD, buy a controler card. IMHO.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: teqwiz

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Any RAID/IDE controller will slow boot time a bit, be it in RAID mode or non RAID mode. The add on cards and the add on chips on the motherboards all have their own bios, and must detect the drives. In most cases this takes about 5 - 10 extra seconds....are you really that busy?

I agree here.You can disable RAID in the BIOS, that is actually how you release the channels for other IDE devices. Be aware that onchip Raid chip does not support ATAPI (CDROM) devices. HDD only. Unless you have 4 Hard Drives, Then why would you need to disable RAID in the first place.
If your goal is to build the fastest booting Computer to show your friends, then build a DOS box. If system performance is what you seek, The why not use RAID 0.
Fault Tolerance? Raid 1 or 5. 3 sux.
If you need support other than HDD, buy a controler card. IMHO.

That's what I'm talkin' about! I run RAID 0 and love it! and I've seen ATA133 controller cards for 18$.