SCSI gurus please help

[TripperJoe]

I'm thinking of adding SCSI in my next machine, however, I'm not *too* hardcore (i.e. I'm not gonna rob a bank to pay for it). I do quite a bit of work in PM, PS, and other mostly 2-D graphics programs. If I got 1 SCSI HDD to use as my app/boot drive, could I expect to see much of a performace gain? Do I need SCSI raid to really feel the effects? I would probably leave my mp3/divx on a large 5400 ATA, but do i need to go SCSI for cdrw/dvd? Also, what are some good drives/controllers to look into? Thanks for any help you can give

 

[Jgtdragon]

If you do get SCSI, get the newer 10k or 15x drive as your primary bootup drive. It loads really fast and the seek time is amazing. I am loving my Atlas 2 10k. Get Adpatec 29160 controller if you have lots of device and planning to use Linux.

Can't answer your CDWR/DVD question, because I am running ide with my Plextor.

 

[Dually]

I suggest adaptec, as they are the industry standard.

Of course it all depends on the specs of your controller and drive.

 

[TripperJoe]

What specs should I be looking for on the HDD and controller?

 

[compucaineaddict]

I suggest the Tekram DC390w3? (I forgot) It has the same specs as the 29160 but is cheaper and performs better in most apps. Not to mention it uses separate channels for the fast(68pin) and slow(50pin) SCSI giving it higher bandwidth for the LVD channel.

The Pioneer 304s SCSI 10xDVD 40xCD costs ~ $30 more than the 106s IDE 16xDVD 40xCD but gives SCSI bandwidth and performance.

 

[TripperJoe]

Can a cd/dvd even benifit from that bandwith? I thought that ide supplies more than the dvd can put out.

 

[Dually]

Well I agree with jgtdragon regarding the scsi controller unless you want a ultra3 one but there is no need unless you have a server of massive specs.

I suggest LVD 68-pin, 10,000rpm or higher with a seek rate around 4.9.

You can see benifits from scsi dvd and cdr because you could do both at the same time just fine with little cpu usage, plus scsi dvd drives have more cache but cost around $100.

 

[TripperJoe]

So it's best to eat the extra $$$ and go with brand name adaptec? And is the 29160 the best bet, even if I'm only going to run a few devices? Also, 64 bit or 32 bit pci?

 

[Sundog]

<< . Not to mention it uses separate channels for the fast(68pin) and slow(50pin) SCSI giving it higher bandwidth for the LVD channel. >>



Well so does the Adaptec 29160.

 

[Sundog]

TripperJoe:
Go to the adaptec site and compare the 19160 and 29160.

If you are not going to run U160 LVD Hard Drive/s, then do not even bother with the 19160 or 29160.

The 29160 is good if you plan on running U160 drives internally and externally. If you never plan on running External U160, then look at the 19160.

 

[Sundog]

TripperJoe





TURN ON PM (Private Message)

 

[TripperJoe]

Ok...done

 

[superbooga]

Look at these two reviews:

StorageReview Review

and

GamePC Review

 

[Beeker25]

I am using Adaptec 29160 SCSI cards in all 4 of my systems with Seagate Cheatah 18XL 10K and Cheatah X15's, Plextor SCSI CDRoms and Plextor 12/10/21 SCSI CDRW-great for copying disks in the background while doing WHATEVER else you need to do on your computer. Will all SCSI systems, I am able to copy a CD, DL a file from the net, and play Q3 all without burning a coaster or loosing my DL/Internet connection. My Server is running 3 Seagate X15's in RAID 0 on a ATTO UL3D Dual channel Ultra3 SCSI RAID card with a Adaptec 29160 running 2 X15's for backup a Plextor 40X SCSI CDROM &amp; Plextor 12/10/32 SCSI CDRW. I switched over to SCSI about a year and a half ago and have NEVER since bought another IDE Device. You will definately see a good performance gain.

 

[Ben]

<< So it's best to eat the extra $$$ and go with brand name adaptec? And is the 29160 the best bet, even if I'm only going to run a few devices? Also, 64 bit or 32 bit pci? >>


Ya, I would. The 29160 is a real nice card. I've used a few and the 29160 is the bomb. I have one in my home machine in fact. I'd stay away from the 19160. For the difference in price your better off getting the 29160 and it's a much better card.

You can get them in 32-bit PCI or 64-bit PCI flavors. Note that the 64 bit version is backward compatable with 32 bit PCI slots so you may want to go for the 64 bit even if you don't have the slot for it on you current system. Then if you ever upgrade your motherboard, the option will be there.

There's a web site called Storage Review that lives and breathes SCSI (as well as IDE). Head over there and absorb some benchmarks and reviews. Right now the Cheetah X15's are the top dog's, though lot's of other drives like the Quantum Altas 10KII and the Cheetah 36XL are pretty close. Any new performance drive is going to be U160 so you will need a card that supports that.

If you need a place to buy this stuff, I heard about HyperMicro through Storage Review a long time ago and they've been supplying me with my SCSI gear ever since.

[edit] Man, I took so long to write this 2 people posted by the time I got finished and beat me to the punch.

 

[TripperJoe]

Thx superbooga, apparently two reputable sites (esp the storagereview.com that everyone is raving about) think the tekram is better than the adaptec. Being cheaper helps too. Looks like the Tekram is the controller for me. Time to find a drive now

 

[Informant X]

Dude go read my post about SCSI cards, A LOT of helpful information.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&amp;threadid=444677&amp;highlight_key=y

 

[Informant X]

Hey JtgDragon, is that Atlas 10K II loud?

 

[fishingeek]

I have the Tekram card and it works great. I also have the atlas and it is not loud at all. The speed that SCSI gives you over IDE will be like night and day.

 

[Sundog]

<< is that Atlas 10K II loud >>


Hell no! That was one of my major reasons for choosing the Atlas 10K II. It is very quite.

It also has an 8MB buffer versus a 4MB.

 

[julianf]

get an adaptech ultra160 controller, and ibm ultrastar disks! trust me, it works perf! though ata100 is pretty fast as well....

 

[bigbootydaddy]

<< Hey JtgDragon, is that Atlas 10K II loud? >>



wait, my atlas II is sorta loud?? also on a tekram card, no probs.

 

[Jgtdragon]

Informant X,
To ask your question. Its not that loud. I even have a fan blowing on it.

 

[TunaBoo]

If all I want is one 9-18 gig 10k SCSI drive and a card that can use it (one of the adaptecs) how much will it run me?

 

[Ben]

You'd need at least:

QM309200TY-LW Quantum 10KII 9.1GB $169.00
ASC-19160-WB Adaptec White box 19160 (comes with cables) $185.00

Which would run you about $365.25 out the door with shipping.

Add on another $40 for an Adaptec 29160 WB or 29160N WB.
Add on another $60 for an 18GB Quantum.