To Serial ATA or not to Serial ATA - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Tickford · 08-10-2003, 03:56 AM

Guys,

I am going to get a new hard drive. And I cant make my mind up. Do you guys think that serial ata is worth the extra expense, or plain ata is fast enough. I would love to hear some feedback.

Thanks.

Silvy · 08-10-2003, 04:10 AM

Difficult question to answer if you ask me.

It largely depends on the intended use. If you're going to do HQ vid capturing, you can't get a drive too fast so go for it!

If you're just a gamer, like me, plain ata is fast enough.

Other advantages of SATA are longer cables and better airflow inside the case.
Once again, it is up to your situation how heavy those advantages count.

Good luck!

Amanita · 08-10-2003, 08:36 AM

The real answer:

Makes NO difference right now. SATA is only _AS FAST_ as ATA133
In the future, SATA intends to reach 300mb/s and 600mb/s .. so it will be a performance increase _IN THE FUTURE_

The only real benefit for upgrading right away would be the improved air-flow in your case.

PS: You _CAN_ get ATA to SATA adapters which fit on your _existing_ hard-drives to make them SATA compatible.

Silvy · 08-10-2003, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amanita
The real answer:

Makes NO difference right now. SATA is only _AS FAST_ as ATA133

I agree with you mostly except the quoted part...
I quote from this online source:
http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/satacuda/10.shtml

Quote:

Standard applications like Business Winstone2002 and our home-made file copy across drives showed that there is a real world benefit of Serial ATA

There is performance increase to be had for real demanding applications. To be honest this also requires a very potent system overall and is likely only applicable in few cases. But there are certainly situations where SATA can be considered...

If you're a regular gamer: just stick to plain ATA (parallel ATA)

Tickford · 08-10-2003, 05:00 PM

Cheers, thanks guys........ looks like plain ATA for this fella....

yakimushi · 08-10-2003, 06:57 PM

C'mon folks? Nobody is going to mention Western Digital Raptors?

Serial ATA, 10000RPM, 8mb buffer, 5 yr warranty

Unfortunately, they're only 36GB and they cost ~$150.

Silvy · 08-10-2003, 06:59 PM

Which is exactly why I didn't mention them...

For the record there is a review at www.tomshardware.com for those interested...

Jolt · 08-10-2003, 08:25 PM

For the time being, SATA can't go faster than ATA/133 in -most- systems - because even though SATA's controller-to-disk speed is 150 mbytes/sec, a 32-bit, 33MHz PCI slot is only CAPABLE of 132mbytes/sec throughput!

If you have server grade hardware and are using, for example, a 3Ware 8500 series controller which is a 64-bit 66MHz card...you're going to get all kinds of performance out of it...even though Adaptec accuses 3Ware of not using 'native SATA' ASICs...

At work we've started playing with Raptor drives on 3Ware and on-board controllers and they haul azz...but SCSI is still king when it comes to high performance under heavy load.

sultanx · 08-12-2003, 10:31 PM

If you are going to get a serial ATA get the Seagate. They are the only true serial drives. Everbody else just moded thier boards with no change to the heads or disc.

Mr.Deflok · 08-13-2003, 12:19 AM

Anyone used a PCI SATA Card? What'd you think?

Redjake · 08-13-2003, 04:27 PM

I have one running my 120 GB Seagate and my 160 GB Maxtor. There is no noticable difference in transfer rates or access. Works like a charm. There is a diagnostic self-check or something when you turn your computer on though, it just checks to see what's connected to the PCI card, so it slows your boot down a little bit, but it's all good overall. I have a 20 GB Western Digital, 80 GB IBM, 120 GB Seagate, and a 160 GB Maxtor, all 7200 RPM. They all work together like a team

Mr.Deflok · 08-13-2003, 04:55 PM

Groovy, I've got an PCI IDE Controller card for my Disk Caddy and that works like a charm, good to know that the SATA ones do too

Thanks Redjake.

nyte_i · 08-13-2003, 09:37 PM

the bandwidth on even an ata100 drive is big enough to fit like 3 drives on it... i'ts like expanding a four lane freeway to like 16 lanes... your still only one car on an empty freeway.... if you were doing like 4 or 5 drives in a raid config... then maybe.

08-10-2003, 03:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tickford Insane Location: Australia	To Serial ATA or not to Serial ATA Guys, I am going to get a new hard drive. And I cant make my mind up. Do you guys think that serial ata is worth the extra expense, or plain ata is fast enough. I would love to hear some feedback. Thanks. __________________ Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. Samuel Goldwyn

08-10-2003, 04:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	Difficult question to answer if you ask me. It largely depends on the intended use. If you're going to do HQ vid capturing, you can't get a drive too fast so go for it! If you're just a gamer, like me, plain ata is fast enough. Other advantages of SATA are longer cables and better airflow inside the case. Once again, it is up to your situation how heavy those advantages count. Good luck! __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

08-10-2003, 05:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tickford Insane Location: Australia	Cheers, thanks guys........ looks like plain ATA for this fella.... __________________ Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. Samuel Goldwyn

08-10-2003, 06:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	Which is exactly why I didn't mention them... For the record there is a review at www.tomshardware.com for those interested... __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

08-12-2003, 10:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
sultanx Upright Location: the wireless	If you are going to get a serial ATA get the Seagate. They are the only true serial drives. Everbody else just moded thier boards with no change to the heads or disc. __________________ wireless revolution - THE TIME IS NOW!

08-10-2003, 08:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Amanita Loser	The real answer: Makes NO difference right now. SATA is only _AS FAST_ as ATA133 In the future, SATA intends to reach 300mb/s and 600mb/s .. so it will be a performance increase _IN THE FUTURE_ The only real benefit for upgrading right away would be the improved air-flow in your case. PS: You _CAN_ get ATA to SATA adapters which fit on your _existing_ hard-drives to make them SATA compatible.

08-10-2003, 06:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
yakimushi Addict	C'mon folks? Nobody is going to mention Western Digital Raptors? Serial ATA, 10000RPM, 8mb buffer, 5 yr warranty Unfortunately, they're only 36GB and they cost ~$150.

08-10-2003, 08:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jolt Insane Location: Over here	For the time being, SATA can't go faster than ATA/133 in -most- systems - because even though SATA's controller-to-disk speed is 150 mbytes/sec, a 32-bit, 33MHz PCI slot is only CAPABLE of 132mbytes/sec throughput! If you have server grade hardware and are using, for example, a 3Ware 8500 series controller which is a 64-bit 66MHz card...you're going to get all kinds of performance out of it...even though Adaptec accuses 3Ware of not using 'native SATA' ASICs... At work we've started playing with Raptor drives on 3Ware and on-board controllers and they haul azz...but SCSI is still king when it comes to high performance under heavy load.

08-13-2003, 12:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mr.Deflok Blood + Fire Location: New Zealand	Anyone used a PCI SATA Card? What'd you think?

08-13-2003, 04:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	I have one running my 120 GB Seagate and my 160 GB Maxtor. There is no noticable difference in transfer rates or access. Works like a charm. There is a diagnostic self-check or something when you turn your computer on though, it just checks to see what's connected to the PCI card, so it slows your boot down a little bit, but it's all good overall. I have a 20 GB Western Digital, 80 GB IBM, 120 GB Seagate, and a 160 GB Maxtor, all 7200 RPM. They all work together like a team

08-13-2003, 04:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mr.Deflok Blood + Fire Location: New Zealand	Groovy, I've got an PCI IDE Controller card for my Disk Caddy and that works like a charm, good to know that the SATA ones do too Thanks Redjake.

08-13-2003, 09:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
nyte_i Upright	i woudn't get one the bandwidth on even an ata100 drive is big enough to fit like 3 drives on it... i'ts like expanding a four lane freeway to like 16 lanes... your still only one car on an empty freeway.... if you were doing like 4 or 5 drives in a raid config... then maybe.