hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul - Page 6

ctal · 08-18-2008, 06:09 PM

Although this does not say it is applicable to the 3405, I suspect it still may be relevant:

Answer

HTH,
-- Al

**k0NG0** · 08-18-2008, 06:43 PM

Yeah. But I never get into the BIOS, it just sits at a black screen.

Also, I just managed to hose the partition table on my old computer that's been working for years and years. I am not very happy with myself right now. Dunno if it's possible to rescue it all.

Seriously, I want to jump in a lake.

**k0NG0** · 08-19-2008, 12:43 PM

Al, yes, I read that. The problem is I can't get the BIOS-based configuration utility going. I get a black screen with a blinking cursor. I have a ticket with Adaptec.
---
The red LED by the x16 slot (DET_X16_1) glows red, from the web that appears to be a warning for when video cards are connected without the PCIe power connector (unrelated in this case).

In any case, the P5E-VM HDMI won't display video through HDMI if the PCIe card in the x16 slot is > x1 due to some deal with add-in boards interfacing with the G35. Less-than-stellar research by yours truly, to be honest. So it's basically useless to me. Which is sad, but I'm only out $250 which thankfully isn't a big deal these days.

I'm going to get an ATX card with two PCIe x16 slots and a discrete video card instead. It'll slow the build down even more, but I want it done right. And I want hardware RAID.

**k0NG0** · 08-23-2008, 04:46 PM

With the new Gigabyte mobo the RAID card is recognized and everything works swimmingly. Even though the ICH10 is only supported by 2.6.26 kernels, with AHCI enabled Ubuntu 8.04 installed without a hitch. Very smooth with ATi driver downloads and everything too (even though it's only a Radeon HD3450 it's a bajillion times faster than my Matrox G400!).

Sound works, but ALC889A is recognized as an ALC882 or something, but sound works even over S/PDIF coax (mobo also has Toslink = super).

So, a 1.36TB (real TBs) RAID5 up and running (well, building currently). This rig is so freaking fast it's stupid. I made a 25GB primary partition should I want to install Vista some time in the future.

Booting takes a while, AHCI driver init + RAID card boot = >1min, but who cares really. I'm rarely in a rush.

ctal · 08-23-2008, 04:51 PM

-- Al

**k0NG0** · 08-23-2008, 05:07 PM

indeed!

fvbounty · 08-23-2008, 05:44 PM

Congratulations on your new rig, sounds like you got a good one there.....feels good when things go right and everything works!

**Sandog** · 08-23-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

With the new Gigabyte mobo the RAID card is recognized and everything works swimmingly. Even though the ICH10 is only supported by 2.6.26 kernels, with AHCI enabled Ubuntu 8.04 installed without a hitch. Very smooth with ATi driver downloads and everything too (even though it's only a Radeon HD3450 it's a bajillion times faster than my Matrox G400!).

Sound works, but ALC889A is recognized as an ALC882 or something, but sound works even over S/PDIF coax (mobo also has Toslink = super).

So, a 1.36TB (real TBs) RAID5 up and running (well, building currently). This rig is so freaking fast it's stupid. I made a 25GB primary partition should I want to install Vista some time in the future.

Booting takes a while, AHCI driver init + RAID card boot = >1min, but who cares really. I'm rarely in a rush.

Congrats Kongo!

Sounds great. I am waiting on a board to get my system going. Usually you pray for luck to get working parts but I'm not sure the P45 chipset with DDR3 will still work right.

**k0NG0** · 08-24-2008, 02:32 AM

Thanks guys.

Ran into some network driver issues for Ubuntu 8.04 with the Realtek RTL8111C, but found a great guide that made compiling the new driver and using it instead easy. So now I have Internet access again.

Couldn't be happier. A simple speed test for the RAID array (do note it's still building and verifying which means slower performance) indicates read speeds of around 135MB/s. (hdparm -t averaged over a couple runs).

**k0NG0** · 08-24-2008, 12:55 PM

Average buffered reads with the array done is 170MB/s. Lovely.

ctal · 08-24-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

Average buffered reads with the array done is 170MB/s. Lovely.

Awesome!

Just curious, though -- what is it that prompts you to want superfast hd speed, but not be particularly interested in overclocking to maximize cpu speed?

Congrats,

-- Al

**k0NG0** · 08-24-2008, 01:52 PM

Because disk speed always lags the speed of pretty much any other component by several orders of magnitude. Even at 170MB/s it's still almost two orders of magnitude slower than the dual-channel DDR2-800 (just shy of 13GB/s) which is the next step in the memory hierarchy.

Also, I don't really need more CPU speed. I can compile Firefox really quickly, 17 minutes from a fresh checkout (subsequent compiles will be much faster still, to some extent thanks to faster disk since make checks every file to detect updates).

The main reason for going with RAID5 on a proper RAID controller was twofold:

1) Mobility. I can move this array to any computer that supports a PCIe x4 slot, regardless of brand. An Intel- or AMD-based RAID array doesn't provide that. (Since it has a proper CPU I can use a Mini-ITX type board for a file server should I feel like it.)
2) Better trade-off between wasted space and redundancy. RAID1 wastes 1/2 of aggregate disk space, RAID5 only 1/3. The speed bump is nice as well, but my main requirement was redundancy.

Also, I've always wanted a hardware RAID setup. Now I can afford it, so I went ahead with it. Satisfaction is a nice byproduct as well.

ctal · 08-24-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

Average buffered reads with the array done is 170MB/s. Lovely.

I thought it might be of interest to compare to a benchmark of a single WD VelociRaptor (300gB for $295, at NewEgg), which I'm pretty certain is the fastest desktop hard drive available. Here is a screenshot of an HDTune benchmark I did on mine, running with an E8500 + Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6, with AHCI and native mode disabled:

HDTune_Benchmark_WDC WD3000GLFS-01F8U.jpg

Not even close to your RAID array, at least with respect to the transfer rate!

Regards,

-- Al

**k0NG0** · 08-25-2008, 12:24 AM

To be fair, I would think that HDTune has a more correct benchmark number than hdparm. The transfer speed for more random accesses across the disks may well be lower.

**Gorganzola** · 09-01-2008, 01:13 PM

So .... where you at with this old chap? You done building your race car? Where's the racing stripes?

08-18-2008, 06:09 PM	#76
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,314	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Although this does not say it is applicable to the 3405, I suspect it still may be relevant: Answer HTH, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

08-18-2008, 06:43 PM	#77
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Yeah. But I never get into the BIOS, it just sits at a black screen. Also, I just managed to hose the partition table on my old computer that's been working for years and years. I am not very happy with myself right now. Dunno if it's possible to rescue it all. Seriously, I want to jump in a lake. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-19-2008, 12:43 PM	#78
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Al, yes, I read that. The problem is I can't get the BIOS-based configuration utility going. I get a black screen with a blinking cursor. I have a ticket with Adaptec. --- The red LED by the x16 slot (DET_X16_1) glows red, from the web that appears to be a warning for when video cards are connected without the PCIe power connector (unrelated in this case). In any case, the P5E-VM HDMI won't display video through HDMI if the PCIe card in the x16 slot is > x1 due to some deal with add-in boards interfacing with the G35. Less-than-stellar research by yours truly, to be honest. So it's basically useless to me. Which is sad, but I'm only out $250 which thankfully isn't a big deal these days. I'm going to get an ATX card with two PCIe x16 slots and a discrete video card instead. It'll slow the build down even more, but I want it done right. And I want hardware RAID. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-23-2008, 04:46 PM	#79
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul With the new Gigabyte mobo the RAID card is recognized and everything works swimmingly. Even though the ICH10 is only supported by 2.6.26 kernels, with AHCI enabled Ubuntu 8.04 installed without a hitch. Very smooth with ATi driver downloads and everything too (even though it's only a Radeon HD3450 it's a bajillion times faster than my Matrox G400!). Sound works, but ALC889A is recognized as an ALC882 or something, but sound works even over S/PDIF coax (mobo also has Toslink = super). So, a 1.36TB (real TBs) RAID5 up and running (well, building currently). This rig is so freaking fast it's stupid. I made a 25GB primary partition should I want to install Vista some time in the future. Booting takes a while, AHCI driver init + RAID card boot = >1min, but who cares really. I'm rarely in a rush. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-23-2008, 04:51 PM	#80
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,314	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

08-23-2008, 05:07 PM	#81
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul indeed! __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-23-2008, 05:44 PM	#82
fvbounty Eat Wild Pacific Salmon Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Alameda Ca Posts: 5,179	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Congratulations on your new rig, sounds like you got a good one there.....feels good when things go right and everything works! __________________ New Gaming rig - Asus P5E3 Deluxe Wi-Fi - Intel QX9650 - CORSAIR TWIN3X2048-1600C7DHXIN 2GB PC3-12800 - 150 gig Raptor - 320 gig WD 3200YS - Corsair HX 620 watt PS - EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB - AMD FX 55 - XP-90C & SilentCat 9 - Asus A8N-SLI with Swiftech MCX159 - 2X1024 Corsair 3500LLPro 2-3-2-6 1T - 2X BFG 6800GT OC Zalman VF700-CU - 1 WD 74 Gig Raptor boot - 1 Seagate 7200 sata data - Nec 3500A - Plextor 716AL Slot Loader - Enermax EG 701 AX 600 watt PS - Silverstone Temjin TJ03B case with side window - G7 lazer mouse - Cannon Pixma I8500 printer - Windows XP Pro SP2 Slipstreamed - Dell 2405FPW lcd * Please note: any advertising within this post has been placed there by the site owner and NOT by me! *
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08-24-2008, 02:32 AM	#84
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Thanks guys. Ran into some network driver issues for Ubuntu 8.04 with the Realtek RTL8111C, but found a great guide that made compiling the new driver and using it instead easy. So now I have Internet access again. Couldn't be happier. A simple speed test for the RAID array (do note it's still building and verifying which means slower performance) indicates read speeds of around 135MB/s. (hdparm -t averaged over a couple runs). __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-24-2008, 12:55 PM	#85
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Average buffered reads with the array done is 170MB/s. Lovely. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-24-2008, 01:52 PM	#87
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul Because disk speed always lags the speed of pretty much any other component by several orders of magnitude. Even at 170MB/s it's still almost two orders of magnitude slower than the dual-channel DDR2-800 (just shy of 13GB/s) which is the next step in the memory hierarchy. Also, I don't really need more CPU speed. I can compile Firefox really quickly, 17 minutes from a fresh checkout (subsequent compiles will be much faster still, to some extent thanks to faster disk since make checks every file to detect updates). The main reason for going with RAID5 on a proper RAID controller was twofold: 1) Mobility. I can move this array to any computer that supports a PCIe x4 slot, regardless of brand. An Intel- or AMD-based RAID array doesn't provide that. (Since it has a proper CPU I can use a Mini-ITX type board for a file server should I feel like it.) 2) Better trade-off between wasted space and redundancy. RAID1 wastes 1/2 of aggregate disk space, RAID5 only 1/3. The speed bump is nice as well, but my main requirement was redundancy. Also, I've always wanted a hardware RAID setup. Now I can afford it, so I went ahead with it. Satisfaction is a nice byproduct as well. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-25-2008, 12:24 AM	#89
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul To be fair, I would think that HDTune has a more correct benchmark number than hdparm. The transfer speed for more random accesses across the disks may well be lower. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

09-01-2008, 01:13 PM	#90
Gorganzola ABXZone > Facebook Join Date: May 2001 Location: Hangin' with the fruits Posts: 9,397	Re: hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an overhaul So .... where you at with this old chap? You done building your race car? Where's the racing stripes? __________________ TTFN. I wasn't asleep at the switch, I was drunk. -- Homer J. Simpson Q. How many dull people does it take to change a lightbulb? A. One. A very useful tool on these forums: You can Meebo in public.
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