SCSI Versus IDE RAID

[compucaineaddict]

I want to build a new system, but I cannot decide on the storage setup. I am a hardcore gamer on my third box.

Option A:
Tekram DC-390U3W (just like Adaptec 29160 but better and Cheaper)
Cheetah X15
Pioneer 304s

Total ~ 650

Option B:
Integrated Raid at Raid 0
2x 41GB IBM 60GXPs
Pioneer 106s

Total ~ 400

It seems that the performance increase to SCSI is worth the cost, but I have not seen any comparisons on the subject. Another aspect is that the 64-bit interface won't be realized until 64-bit PCI is utilized in motherboards, giving this system good future-proofing.

Please tell me what you think.

 

[BreakApart]

Well i tend to follow: "if you lose sleep over the choice, then get the BEST"

The best is SCSI hands down. You knew that already...

IDE is an acceptable choice, but the real question is WHY do you WANT or NEED RAID?

Performance? SCSI
"Budget" Preformance? IDE
Bragging Rights? SCSI


Good Luck!

 

[acronym]

why NOT use raid? Sure, if one HD fails, you lose ALL your data, but we are all backing up... aren't we? ;-)
If the hardware is there, utilizing the 2 40gig HDs @ raid 0 will give nothing but extra performance. (more than 15% according to http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.html?i=1491) And even without having an onboard raid, the controllers are less than $100.

The seagate hard drives are going for about $350 each and are only 18gig, right? So for $650 you get 18gig, or for $450 you get 80gig. Plus, add on additional cooling for the x15.

 

[snow]

Use the SEARCH feature, it's there for a reason

 

[LintMan]

As a veteran SCSI user, I gotta say: go with IDE!

SCSI disks just are WAY WAY too expensive for their extra performance, if you need any kind of bulk storage. Just look at the price differences:
SCSI 18GB 15K RPM disk: $321 on Pricewatch (Cheetah X15)
IDE 80GB 7200 RPM disk: $206 on Pricewatch (WD 800BB)

Sure, the SCSI performance is much better, but will you get better use from the faster disk or the greater capacity? 18GB doesn't go that far nowadays - I'm a gamer and have 2 4GB disks and an 18GB disk in my system and I'm jammed up for space. One thing to think of is if you'll be willing to spend another $300 later on another cheetah when you fill this one.

Also, for gaming performance, disk access has mattered very little for me, at least compared to other specs like ram, processor speed, and vid card. I've you've already maxed those out (ie: 1.4 Athlon, 512MB DDR, GeForce 3) and are trying to squeeze out every last ounce of power, go for the SCSI, but otherwise, you might want to instead save that $250 by going IDE, and then put that towards a processor / RAM / video card upgrade.

 

[agg123456789]

If i had the money....i would go with scsi any day....hands down...


agg123456789

 

[superbooga]

Here's what I would do, this is pretty hardcore and expensive but:

Buy the Tekram host adaptor and TWO X15's. Partition a small segment of one drive and put Windows 2000 on it. Create dynamic paritions on the rest and software RAID them together. Replace the X15's when the X15-36LP comes out, that way you'll always stay at the top of the performance curve.

 

[Goosemaster]

You guys are making my scsi system look bad...
There is no need to get an X-15 for a home system...it only excels at access times as a medium of value, and anyways, servers are the only devices that are worth speding that much money on.
check out my systemrices are 1-2 wks old, but you get the picture.

So what do you guys think about this system?
Abit KT7A-Raid
1.33Thunderbird
256MB pc133 Ram
9.1GB Seagate Cheetah 10K ultra160
60 GB IDE Western Digital
Adaptec SCSI CARD (ultra 160-don?t remember model no.)
16x/48x Toshiba DVD
16/10/40a Plextor Burner
Zip 100(Just in case)
Gainward Geforce2 MX400 32MB 4ns(the best mx 2 card)w/ tv out
Sound blaster live value
Cables etc.
Antec 1030 SOHO File server case
Floppy
Windows 2000 with 98 dual boot
Muse keyboard etc.


How good do you think the pricing is on this? I?m building it for my uncle so I got the best parts at the best prices. I already bought it so only criticisms or praises; no attempts to make me buy other stuff. By the way, if I left something out in the list let me know. I know I have all the parts; I just didn?t consult my parts before writing this.
Thanks peeps



















by the way...I got it all for 1,126.99

the .99 was for a cheeseburger.

 

[compucaineaddict]

Why not DDR?
Costs the same and Performs better.

 

[Mday]

the fastest SCSI wins.

but ATA RAID is STILL up there, edging out MANY scsi drives, AT A LOWER COST!!!!!!

unless you go with a hardware ATA RAID solution. in which case, the price is up there. but STILL WORTH IT. if you do 1 or 5 that is. 0 is just pure speed.

SCSI RAID rules.

fiber channel raid LICKS ASS!!!!!!!! and a good job at licking it does =D

 

[Mday]

<< Why not DDR?
Costs the same and Performs better. >>



compucaineaddict, WHAT

oooooh, to goosemaster nm... DDR is a good solution... so, why not gm?

 

[Goosemaster]

you still have to admit, my system is pretty nice

I plan to put just win2k on the scsi drive with progs, and use the fatty for everything else
the great thing is i got the scsi drive for $100
not too bad
'

 

[compucaineaddict]

So what is mday supposed to mean anyway?:|