Block Size - RAID0

Terrier_Jimlad · 25 Aug 2010 at 19:41

Always used RAID1 myself, but just setting up a RAID0 with 2 x Samsung F3's and was wondering what you guys recommend the block size to be? By default, the RAID controller has put in 128 KB

Any recommendations? The RAID array will be housing large games (steam apps) and a largeish mp3 collection

Thanks
Jimlad

Terrier_Jimlad · 25 Aug 2010 at 22:50

Nah, I use my Vertex 2E as boot drive, this is just a larger storage area for games and stuff

3 screenshots, they seem ok?

1) F3 on it's own

2) 2 x F3 RAID 0 - 128 KB Stripe

3) 2 x F3 RAID 0 - 64 KB Stripe

Cheers

Terrier_Jimlad · 25 Aug 2010 at 23:38

My thoughts exactly, not quite sure what's up. I originally thought it was due to the stripe size so I re did the array with 64k and it wasnt much better.

Any suggestions what to check? Both disks are physically fine and are performing ok according to Samsung's ES Tool

**stumped**

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 00:17

Interesting, I've just updated the RAID drivers to the latest, and noticed a significant improvement in the READ times in ATTO, whilst Write times remaining similar

Compare these two ...

1) old drivers

2) new drivers

That look about right or still under performing?

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 07:39

Write Cache seems to be Enabled

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 09:56

Yeah its a hardware controller, i'm going to try a RAID card rather than the second controller on the motherboard.

I've never trusted Windows Mirror's lol - might need to eventually though!

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 10:40

Some others on the Gigabyte forum have mentioned the same issue. Apparently the Onboard Gigabyte RAID Controller uses JMicron and that bottlenecks the RAID. They say you have to use the other controller which is the Intel one, but then that means i'd have to put my SATA mode into RAID (currently on AHCI) which I can only assume my SSD will suffer (works fastest in AHCI)

I think I have a PCI Silicon based RAID card at home that i'm going to try

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 12:39

I am using the Gigabyte RAID Controller on the motherboard (the blue ports) as I keep the Intel Controller for the SSD (white ports)

If what you're saying about SSD not suffering when the ICH10R is in RAID mode as oppose to AHCI is true, then that could be my perfect solution. I just didnt want to degrade the performance of the SSD

Failing that, I can try Windows RAID and see how that performs

Cheers
Jim

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 12:52

Sweet, that'll do ... will try it later and post new results!

Terrier_Jimlad · 26 Aug 2010 at 18:11

well well well ... i've just put the F3's on the Intel controller, changed AHCI to RAID in BIOS, slapped the 2 x F3 in a RAID0 array on stripe of 128 KB, saved and exitted, followed by a BSOD even with latest intel raid drivers, so did the registry tweak, re-did the array and booted in to Windows fine ... re-ran ATTO and the difference is staggering, its like 3x the speed

on Gigabyte RAID JMicron controller:

on Intel RAID controller:

Awesome!