Calling all Gateway RAID owners.

I've been having weird intermittent issues with my hard drive over the past month or so. It would basically, on a totally random whim, spin the hard drive(s) up full throttle and lock the system up for about 30secs, then go on as if nothing happened. Kinda like the guy who farts next to you at the grocery store.

Well, after some research, I downloaded and installed the newest Intel Matrix Storage Manager and think I have the problem solved. I ran an HD Tune and need some recent results to compare against to make sure everything is okiedokie. I found one from when I first got the RAID array setup and there's a conflicting difference, so I need a few fellow RAID'ers to help me out. You don't have to update the IMSM unless you really wan't to. I just need a base reading, as I doubt the update will make much difference to most. Thanks a heap!

IMPORTANT!: Please use the following settings when testing to keep inline with my test:
Block Size: 8mb
Test Speed/Accuracy: Accurate

Here's my current test result:

 

before installing new storage manager


after installing new storage manager

 

Cool! Thanks diablo! You rock.

 

well, duh.

 

after up driver,my RAID0 score is also down a bit ,why?

 

Dunno, mine went up a bit. I also noticed a performance increase. But that could be due to a malfunctioning previous install.

 

How do you get your max speeds so high. I get only 95MB/sec for the high and my low is more like 62MB/sec. I also have 2x320 raid0 on 6860 with x7800.

Thanks

 

Possibly a long shot, but I wonder if this has to with your power settings. Is your 'Turn hard drivers off after...' setting set to 'never'?

 

That is indeed a very good thought! This was also my thought and one of the first things I tried, to no avail. I *think* this fixed the issue, but it's still to early to tell. Thanks for the suggestion, however!

 

Hmm. Something is definitely amiss! I would try downloading the newest IMSM and see what happens. Also run a defrage before the test. And lastly, do you have your test settings set the same as listed above?

 

Ok, I got it. I think my numbers are ok then.

Thanks

 

Your numbers are just groovy.

 

thanks dook.

 

With the old Intel Matrix 7


With the new Intel Matrix 8.5


My performance went down with the new drivers. But the version 7 I have is from the Intel site not Gateway.


Notebook Specs:
Gateway P-173XL FX
Intel EE X9000 CPU
Nvidia GeForce Go 8800M GTS
4GB G.Skill 4-4-4-12 DDR2 667
2x 200GB HD's (RAID 0)
Vista Ultimate (64 Bit) SP1
180W Targus Power Adapter

 

Oh and BTW, the updated IMSM fixed the issue.

 

Dook, somewhere amidst all the PMS you mentioned using 8k stripe. Why did you choose that. I can never decide. I've done 4, 8, 32. I've heard big suggested, like 256 but that seems such a waste for what I do. Have you tested RAID speed at different stripe sizes?

 

There is no way you have write-back cache enabled with a burst speed in the 60's like in your screen shot. Keep it honest man, you don't need to lie so you don't look bad. Go into the intel storage console and change to the advanced view. Then right click on your raid volume in the tree and you can enable it there. You should get a burst speed in the over 500 MB/s range instead of only 62. I get a burst speed of 800- 900 and it really helps in some situations.

Peace man... Hope that helped.

 

Actually, I think (if I can remember correctly) I was advising against using 8k stripe sizes in a different thread, as performance can actually decrease. 128kb is what I have mine set to and is considered a good "middle ground". I have tested other stripe sizes on both servers and desktops and have pretty much found the same thing. I think you were speaking of the 8mb block size used for the test, which I chose due to it returning more accurate test results(or so I've been told).

And Freddy, I have had WBC enabled the whole time. The problem was solved with the new IMSM update. But thanks for the suggestions. And no, my avatar is not aimed directly at you.

 

I have not thought about cluster size since using NTFS.

 

Lads please keep your posts on topic. Many posts have been deleted. Anymore off topic posts will result in thread closure.

Thank you,
Johnny T - NBR Moderation Team

 

um, i really hate to say this Dook, but take a look for yourself.

 

10-4. I never questioned the fact that WBC works, in fact I had it(WBC) enabled the whole time. But with the old IMSM it wasn't working(along with the freezing issue I had). The new IMSM fixed the issue and now both write back caching works and I no longer have the freeze up issue. Thank the Lordy.

 

hell, i didnt even know about it. hence the results from the first page.