Intending to put SCSI controller-> K7D Master L

[Icekimo]

I'm intending to put a Scsi Raid controller to my mobo, as i do a lot of reading on my files (no writing).
5x Maxtors Atlas 10KIV 36.7GB is $156 or €143
Any recommendations to a Scsi raid controller ?

[cmcquistion]

Look for one that is at least 66 MHz and/or 64 bit PCI. If you can find a PCI-X controller, that would be even better, since you would be able to use it with next generation systems, too.

I've had good experiences with LSI SCSI cards. They make several SCSI RAID controllers. Their single channel model, the MegaRAID® SCSI 320-1, is 66 MHz, and 64 bit. This will give you a maximum throughput of 533 MB/s.

[Icekimo]

Adaptec SCSI Card 39320D-R
LSI MegaRAID SCSI 320-1

What is the difference between those ?
2 and 1 channel, but i wonder why is Adactec cheaper than LSI ?
LSI is 14 % more.

[cmcquistion]

The LSI has 64 MB of integrated RAM, but the Adaptec is PCI-X and two channel.

You may want to check for some reviews over at storagereview.com.

[Icekimo]

Changed sollution to new sig.

[shoarthing]

IceKimo - Hi - if you're after reading [not writing] speed then the fastest solution I've tested are the 2 or 4-channel Compaq SmartArray 53xx series controllers.

You can then put two/three drives per channel, & enjoy the safety/redundancy of RAID5.

My RAID5-array on a 5304, as a similar MPX-mobo-based setup on a colleague's system, reads way, way over 200MB/s [actual].

- these things are fairly cheap on Ebay [ridiculously expensive retail].

Best hosts for write-speed are generally held to be the 8xxx series ICP-Vortex line.