Samsung F4EG/HD204UI vs. Hitachi 5K3000 for RAID6

[fleshconsumed]

Well, the time has come to upgrade my RAID array. I'm not running out of space yet, but it's getting there, and I'd rather plan ahead so that when the time comes I'm prepared, plus that way I can look for best possible hard drive deal.

I'm planning to use 8 2TB hard drives in RAID 6 configuration on Adaptec 31605 card under Windows Server. I already ruled out Seagate that has been plagued by never ending quality control problems and WD because of the parking head issues. So the only other two contenders are Samsung F4EG aka HD204UI and Hitachi 5K3000. Originally I didn't even consider Hitachi because the only Hitachi drive I ever bought went bad on me, and because some of their drives such as P7K500 spin down in idle. However, it looks like 5K3000 does not spin down and people have been recommending Hitachi drives for RAIDing because they are no nonsense drives without any gimmicky green issues such as parking heads, plus 5K3000 uses 667GB platters, so I'm willing to consider it.

That said I'm looking for some feedback on these drives in RAID. I'm pretty sure neither Samsung nor Hitachi spin down or park their heads, but I'm seeing conflicting reports whether one can enable TLER on those drives.

So the tally so far is:

Hitachi 5K3000
1. Does not spin down
2. Does not park heads
3. Cannot enable TLER
4. 512 byte sector

Samsung HD204UI
1. Does not spin down
2. Does not park heads
3. Cannot enable TLER
4. 4K sector, would this play nice with Adaptec 31605, or would I have performance issues?

At this point it looks like both drives are identical feature wise. I'd like to know if I'm missing something here, or if I'm wrong on the features, particularly about TLER. I'm almost positive that you cannot set TLER on either of these drives, but it would be nice to hear from someone who tried. Also if anybody knows if these drives play nice with Adaptec 31605 card, I would really appreciate it.

 

[alaricljs]

To add to what sub.mesa said over on [H], CCTL is supported but does not survive a reboot. I've seen someone's solution consisting of a USB flash drive with linux used to cold-boot and set CCTL and then reboot into whatever your "normal" OS is.

This: http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-checking-sas-sata-disks-behind-adaptec-raid-controllers/ Seems to support that it could be done even behind your Adaptec card.

 

[alaricljs]

Oh yes, and then there's the fun announcement on http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/smartmontools/wiki that says you need to make absolutely certain to load the fixed Samsung firmware if you want to use the HD204UI drives with smartmon. Even better, there's no way to tell if that FW is already on the drive... sheesh.

 

[ensign_lee]

newegg has the F4EG for $75 right now until 2/16

If you can handle the firmware update, I'd roll with that.

 

[Zap]

I'd like to know if I'm missing something here, or if I'm wrong on the features, particularly about TLER. I'm almost positive that you cannot set TLER on either of these drives

TLER is what WD calls it. Samsung and Hitachi calls it Command Completion Time Limit (CCTL). Seagate calls it Error Recovery Control (ERC).

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-Limited_Error_Recovery

What you need is to look into enterprise or RAID specific drives. For instance the Samsung drives that supports this is called the F3R, but it maxes out at 1TB and costs $100. WD makes 2TB RE4 7200RPM drives and RE4 GP 5400RPM drives that supports TLER.

 

[Blain]

RAID 6 is a big boy array, make sure you buy HDs designed for RAID usage.
WD RE3, RE4, Samsung F3R or Seagate Constellation ES.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I vote Hitachi 5K3000. I have loved my 7200PRM version in the same array (Unraid), and the Hitachi 5K3000 is the fastest lower RPM drive I have (but just barely above the 2TB Seagate).

I am biased though, as I am strongly against the F4. Part of that is because of the previous firmware that caused data corruption. I know that is fixed, but the fact you can't tell its fixed really irks me. My other reason for disliking the F4 is because the my 1.5TB Samsung drive lies to me about its temps, and that again irks me. Neither are serious issues, and one day I hope to have every consumer 1.5 and 2TB drive on the market in my array so I will eventually buy one. Just saving it for last...

 

[SickBeast]

OP IMO you should consider the new Seagate Green LP drives. They're $75 and should be faster than the other drives you're looking at.