On-Board RAID or PCI better????

[silverthumb]

SOoo...
Is it better to have on-board RAID or a PCI card add-in???

I run full-duplex sound (pro studio) with tons of HUGE wave files playing and recording simultaneously, WHILE read/writing to my current HPT-370 (ata-100) RAID 0+1 array. I'm upgrading my system and looking at the new AMD Nforce2 mobo's but NONE have real RAID, just that silly single channel or SATA which from what I understand is currently mostly useless. I tend to run about 6-8 IDE devices too, so I need the connectors from a real RAID setup!!!!

OPINIONS????

P.S. I know that one can get 66 pci raid cards and used in a 66 pci slot that can solve bottleneck issues. What about in MY situation??? DO I need a 66pci card (SMP???)....

ADVICE????

Thnx!
:D

[Hook]

I don't think it really matters. I'd get the board you want and look for a RAID card. Like a highpoint rocket RAID.

My .02

[toastedzergling]

I think you should get a highpoint Rocket 404, newegg sells it for $94, if you are using intel chipset you get 100-110MB/s for 32bit PCI bus, with overclocking you get more:D, I think nforce2 is probably as good as intel's, the highest RAID0 speed is around 90MB/s, so I guess 32bit is enough for you

[nunez1980]

hi there,

first, the performance should be the same because they used the same bus, pci.

benefit: 1. you can move on the data to a new system
2. you can buy the new mobo you like, if it comes with raid good, if not you won't worry about it.
3. had more options to configure the raid array, such as strip sizes and more features. :)

negative: 1. had to spend more money, in many cases the same amount to get a new board:(
2. need an pci slot.

also before I forget, the chip used in the array whether its onboard or pci card, the performance would be different,
example, asus a7v333 raid will smoke a raid used with a TEKRAM ULTR ATA 100 DC-200 RAID $27, it sucks and doesn't work 90% of the time;)

so you will need to spend some money over $50 to get at decent card:rolleyes:

[HardwareJedi]

There is also the matter of Support after the sale. PCI RAID controllers usually get fairly frequent BIOS updates from the Makers. Not so with an embedded solution.

MB Makers who include RAID seem to be asleep at the wheel. Shuttle has not released even one bios update that updates the onboard RAID, but Highpoint has released about 3 new Bios's for that Controller. Unfortunately, they will not work with Onboard RAID controllers like mine.

You will get better support for a PCI RAID card. Buy a MB with RAID and you better be happy with the functions when you buy it, cause you will prob. never get an update for the RAID bios.
"Caveat Emptor"

[Sonny]

Originally posted by HardwareJedi
There is also the matter of Support after the sale. PCI RAID controllers usually get fairly frequent BIOS updates from the Makers. Not so with an embedded solution.

MB Makers who include RAID seem to be asleep at the wheel. Shuttle has not released even one bios update that updates the onboard RAID, but Highpoint has released about 3 new Bios's for that Controller. Unfortunately, they will not work with Onboard RAID controllers like mine.

You will get better support for a PCI RAID card. Buy a MB with RAID and you better be happy with the functions when you buy it, cause you will prob. never get an update for the RAID bios.
"Caveat Emptor"

Well why not mod the BIOS to include the HighPoint BIOS? I have 2 boards with onboard RAID that have the 370 & 372 controllers & both have the 2.34 BIOS. It's true that the MoBo manufacturers do not update as often but you can do it yourself or better yet get someone with more experience than yourself to do it;)

[aftermath]

Will your intergrated promise or hightpoint raid chip tell you the insrtant a drive fails, start up the hot spare drive rebuild the arry and email you when your not at the pc??

[HardwareJedi]

Quote " Will your intergrated promise or hightpoint raid chip tell you the insrtant a drive fails, start up the hot spare drive rebuild the arry and email you when your not at the pc??"


Yes it will detect and alert you. And can start a rebuild of a damaged Mirrored array, But I do not think most Onboard controllers support Hot spares. I may be mistaken about that. The monitoring is done at a software level, rather than a hardware level. (At least in my case, a HP 370/372 on this Shuttle board). In fact some software uses the HD S.M.A.R.T. function to detect problems with the drives before total failure and will alert you before all data is lost.

[HardwareJedi]

Quote " Well why not mod the BIOS to include the HighPoint BIOS? I have 2 boards with onboard RAID that have the 370 & 372 controllers & both have the 2.34 BIOS. It's true that the MoBo manufacturers do not update as often but you can do it yourself or better yet get someone with more experience than yourself to do it"


That is an esoteric option for the daring and or knowledgable user, but beyond the skills of most people and may cause a total wipe out if not done correctly. If you enjoy doing that kind of thing, more power to you. :-) My Data is too valuable. to risk it.

This subject is not germaine to his question. And my points are valid based on my experience and apparently yours. I said the MB makers seldom offer RAID Bios updates and you have proved my point by stating you have had to hack RAID Bios updates, obviously because your MB maker has not issued an update either.

For the normal user, my statements are valid and too the point.

[Sonny]

Originally posted by HardwareJedi
That is an esoteric option for the daring and or knowledgable user, but beyond the skills of most people and may cause a total wipe out if not done correctly. If you enjoy doing that kind of thing, more power to you. :-) My Data is too valuable. to risk it.

This subject is not germaine to his question. And my points are valid based on my experience and apparently yours. I said the MB makers seldom offer RAID Bios updates and you have proved my point by stating you have had to hack RAID Bios updates, obviously because your MB maker has not issued an update either.

For the normal user, my statements are valid and too the point.

I was not & am not trying to disprove what you have stated but simply stating that you do have an option with regards to updating your RAID BIOS. Your lack of knowledge in this area of BIOS manipulation does not fall on every user. The option is available & not as unreachable as you put it. Your issues with data integrity only concerns those who lack the experience & can not be accepted as fact but plain paranoia for the unknown. I understand your fear & others too but this is simply put to rest as soon as the required information is understood;)

Now to silverthumb's question. I like onboard RAID. The issues with portability of the RAID Array are secondary to backup practices. When you back up regularly I do not see the reason why you need to be able to transfer the array to a new machine. Updating the RAID BIOS can either be painless or as complex as you like it to be. The only reason to go for a PCI RAID Controller Card is if you purchase TRUE Hardware RAID cards wich are in the price range of $400.00USD & only a 64Bit PCI slot can make do of it's maximum potential.

The HighPoint 372 Controller has proven itself to be the best performer in the field & is currently available on a good number of motherboards from the top manufacturers. Good Luck:beer: