GA-D525TUD - RAID 0 64k block - slow :-(

[cj_tomekk]

Hello,

just installed my setup on this mobo with RAID 0, 64k block, 2x WD RE3 250GB (125MB/s begin - 80MB/s end).
The performance I see is damn slow for RAID 0 :-/ 110MB/s +/- 20MB/s. Thats really weak. JMicron chip here.
BTW I have other RAID 0 with 2x160GB and also ~135MB/s.

Where can be the problem?? Is this JMicron such a looser? :-(

[Rolo42]

Ensure your partitions are aligned to 64K (if you created them with Windows installer or disk management, they are aligned).

What performance do you get from the Intel controller?

[Aussie Allan]

  That's what I'd be interested in too! ...... although your board runs the JMB363 controller.....Giga-boards have had trouble in the past with early versions of Marvell controllers .....

  As Rolo suggests , try the Intel controller as a potential quick fix ..... also depending on your type of use.....128 bit might be a tad better/faster and be more efficient on the discs.

  Aussie Allan

[cj_tomekk]

(if you created them with Windows installer or disk management, they are aligned)
Yep thats the way.

I have a S5000VSA mobo with RAID 0 with 2x Seagate 160GB and it gives me 220MB/s begin - 180MB/s end, really stable :-]
As a looked its not easy to get an intel raid card with reasonable price. Additionally this Gigabyte ITX has PCI slot so SATA II good bye.

Unfortunately two different setups with GA+Jmicron boards give similar results so I think I'm out of luck :-(

I have also Zotac IONITX-F-E with raid. I was expecting to use this one for raid but now it runs MacOSX :-] and I'm keeping it this way...

EDIT:
I updated drivers from 1.17.52 to 1.17.63. Look at the test :-| speed is more stable BUT slower o_O Almost horizontal line.
Its definately jmicron fault it is so slow.

EDIT:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/re3raidarrayav8.jpg/
Here setup with same drives and other controller :-( So sad...

[Rolo42]

The intent of benchmarking with the Intel controller on the same board was to confirm/deny the JMicron controller is slow.  (Why can't anybody touch Intel with these?)

[Lsdmeasap]

Yes, use Intel ports!

And check the alignment with AS SSD, Windows installer does not always align, especially if you create and delete partitions on the disk setup screen.

[cj_tomekk]

You mean use other two sata ports on that itx board? Manual doesn't say it is allowed to have raid there, either bios.

EDIT:
Look at the results on the board I'm moving from o_O also bandwidth block bu at 150MB/s. I see both boards have ICH7R.

[Lsdmeasap]

Sorry, I didn't check the board specs myself, just said Intel because it was mentioned above (I shouldn't assume, sorry!)  Yes, there is no Intel ports that support RAID, the J.Micron ones are the only ones that support RAID.

You want to use a larger stripe too, but that's probably not offered by the J.Micron controller.   If you really need a faster RAID Setup you'll have to look at add-on PCIE card unless you are already using that slot, or newer board if you have the spare $$

[cj_tomekk]

Firstly, the board has plain 'old' PCI (not express) so I can stuck at 150MB/s max. Secondly, I just bought this board :-)

[Citizen Crazed]

The JMicron controller's RAID performance is not as good as the equivalent Intel controllers, this is a given, but it should be better than what you're seeing.

When the JMicron JRAID dialog is displayed during system POST, what firmware version is shown? GBT, historically, used to use their own customised, rebranded firmware so maybe you'll see it described as a Gigabyte RAID controller or similar. Either way, let us know what you see. I think the latest revision is 1.07.25. If you see anything <1.07.00, chances are you will be able to get more out of it via a firmware update.

[cj_tomekk]

Well, I dropped the idea of RAID on this board and bought 40GB SSD drive for system only. Kicks 220MB/s and 0.2ms delay.
Performs really great. System will work as server so once everything installed it'll mostly work in read mode what shouldn't kill this drive too fast 

[Lsdmeasap]

Nice to see you went ahead and picked up something fast instead of fighting with that J.Micron RAID!