SCSI = wtf?

[etherealgrifter]

I bought a

Seagate ST150176LC Barracuda 50GB 80-pin SCSI HDD

I meant to get an ATA drive, but that's what I get for not checking. I want to use it because I hear they are fast. What should I buy to connect it to my PCI motherboard?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135190

which doesn't seem to have an SCSI connector. Will just a standard controller kit work? Thanks.

 

[microAmp]

Can you get an exchange on that SCSI drive? it's peak performace is only 22 MB/s while IDE drives are much faster than that.

If you really don't/can't exchange it, did it the SCSI drive come with a 80 pin to 68 pin convertor?

 

[mgpaulus]

If you really want to go the SCSI route, then....

You will need a PCI SCSI card, such as an adaptec AHA2940UW, or an AHA29160UW, and you will also need an 68->80 pin SCA adapter (80 pin SCSI devices are hot-swappable, and need an adapter to connect to normal 68 pin Ultra-Wide cables).

But, like microAmp said, you probably don't want to do this. See if you can get ATA/IDE instead. The bang/buck is DEFINITELY all on the IDE side of the house, UNLESS you are into a heavy server/multitasking environment.

I have seen AHA2940UW going around on the For Sale/Trade forum, so if you are determined, you might give a look/see around there. But, be aware of, and verify support for the controller card you choose within Windows. Especially XP, which does not support the Buslogic series, or if they do, not very well.

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: etherealgrifter
I bought a
Seagate ST150176LC Barracuda 50GB 80-pin SCSI HDD

I meant to get an ATA drive, but that's what I get for not checking. I want to use it because I hear they are fast. What should I buy to connect it to my PCI motherboard?:

1) That SCSI drive is OLD. It is a circa 1999 drive. It will be loud and slow compared to a normal, modern ATA or SATA drive. Some of the SCSI drives from that time period are really loud, it might be REALLY annoying.

2) The 80 pin interface is called SCA, it is a combined SCSI interface, power interface, and jumper block interface made for enterprise applications so they can hot-swap very drives easily. Normal end-user stuff will be 68-pin.

You need to get an SCA to 68 pin SCSI + molex 4 pin connector like this one:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=560663

You will also need to get a SCSI controller, which you can likely find on the FS/FT forum or eBay for less than $50.

Your best bet, though is probably to return it and buy a normal ATA drive. It will definitely be faster, less complex, and probably cheaper too.