Motherboard PCI version -- is it based on chipset?

[void]

I've got an Abit KT7-RAID mobo, which uses the VIA KT133 chipset. I want to
add a 3ware 7006-2 RAID controller (because the KT7-RAID's built-in HPT370
apparently sucks), but it requires a PCI 2.2 slot. I've been searching all
over google and can't find a definite answer for whether the KT7-RAID has PCI
2.2 slots, or PCI 2.1 slots. But I've seen some people who say that the
chipset determines the PCI version. Is this true? I did find a Gigabyte
press release for one of their motherboards that used the VIA KT133 chipset,
and they said it had PCI 2.2 slots. So if it's true that the chipset
determines the PCI version, then my KT7-RAID also has PCI 2.2 slots.

 

[Wes Newell]

I've got an Abit KT7-RAID mobo, which uses the VIA KT133 chipset. I want to
add a 3ware 7006-2 RAID controller (because the KT7-RAID's built-in HPT370
apparently sucks), but it requires a PCI 2.2 slot. I've been searching all
over google and can't find a definite answer for whether the KT7-RAID has PCI
2.2 slots, or PCI 2.1 slots. But I've seen some people who say that the
chipset determines the PCI version. Is this true? I did find a Gigabyte
press release for one of their motherboards that used the VIA KT133 chipset,
and they said it had PCI 2.2 slots. So if it's true that the chipset
determines the PCI version, then my KT7-RAID also has PCI 2.2 slots.

Yes, the PCI bus is supplied by the chipset. What kind of problem are you
having with the HPT 370? Did you upgrade the firmaware and drivers?

 

[void]

Yes, the PCI bus is supplied by the chipset.

Well then that's strange. The KT7-RAID should have PCI 2.2 slots, but I just
installed Sisoft Sandra, and it reports PCI 2.1.

What kind of problem are you
having with the HPT 370? Did you upgrade the firmaware and drivers?

I haven't set up RAID-1 yet, but someone said that the HPT370 doesn't seem to
let you know when a drive goes bad, all it seems to do is mirror the data.

 

[Conor]

Well then that's strange. The KT7-RAID should have PCI 2.2 slots, but I just
installed Sisoft Sandra, and it reports PCI 2.1.

Don't believe what SiSoft Sandra tells you. It's not the most reliable
software out there.


--
Conor

I'm so grateful to the USA for their contribution to the war on terror.
After all, if they hadn't funded the IRA for 30 years, we wouldn't know
what terror was.

 

[- HAL9000]

Is the controller "compliant" to PCI 2.2 or is the controller's
hardware requirements include a PCI version 2.2 motherboard. A quick
search shows the former.

http://www.3ware.com/products/parallel_ata.asp

Forrest

Motherboard Help By HAL web site:
http://home.comcast.net/~mobo.help/


On Thu, 05 Jan 2006 21:55:03 -0500, (e-mail address removed) wrote:

.... I want to
add a 3ware 7006-2 RAID controller (because the KT7-RAID's built-in HPT370
apparently sucks), but it requires a PCI 2.2 slot.

< snip >

 

[Wes Newell]

I've got an Abit KT7-RAID mobo, which uses the VIA KT133 chipset. I want to
add a 3ware 7006-2 RAID controller (because the KT7-RAID's built-in HPT370
apparently sucks), but it requires a PCI 2.2 slot. I've been searching all
over google and can't find a definite answer for whether the KT7-RAID has PCI
2.2 slots, or PCI 2.1 slots. But I've seen some people who say that the
chipset determines the PCI version. Is this true? I did find a Gigabyte
press release for one of their motherboards that used the VIA KT133 chipset,
and they said it had PCI 2.2 slots. So if it's true that the chipset
determines the PCI version, then my KT7-RAID also has PCI 2.2 slots.

After more research the KT7 isn't listed in the compatibility list, and
while it's may work in the KT7, I'd suggest you contact 3ware.

 

[Michael Hawes]

I've got an Abit KT7-RAID mobo, which uses the VIA KT133 chipset. I want to
add a 3ware 7006-2 RAID controller (because the KT7-RAID's built-in HPT370
apparently sucks), but it requires a PCI 2.2 slot. I've been searching all
over google and can't find a definite answer for whether the KT7-RAID has PCI
2.2 slots, or PCI 2.1 slots. But I've seen some people who say that the
chipset determines the PCI version. Is this true? I did find a Gigabyte
press release for one of their motherboards that used the VIA KT133 chipset,
and they said it had PCI 2.2 slots. So if it's true that the chipset
determines the PCI version, then my KT7-RAID also has PCI 2.2 slots.

What version? I have KT7A v1.3, Sandra says PCI v2.1. Just download and
install Sandra!.
Mike.

 

[Richard Hopkins]

I've got an Abit KT7-RAID mobo, which uses the VIA KT133 chipset.
I want to add a 3ware 7006-2 RAID controller (because the
KT7-RAID's built-in HPT370 apparently sucks),

Okay, two issues here. First of all, the HPT370 doesn't "suck", quite the
opposite. For what it is (a low cost ATA-RAID controller without internal
logic or memory), it's pretty darn good in fact. I can't help but wonder if
you've heard a bit of a chinese whisper, as it was in fact Highpoint's
earlier HPT366 that was a bit crap - the 370 was a huge improvement.

Secondly, the 3ware product you are considering is an expensive, full
hardware controller that costs more than your motherboard. Its internal
logic will clearly reduce host CPU utilisation, so giving you a bit better
performance. If you really are serious about RAID usage it might be worth a
look, but, frankly, if you're not after its specific features, you'd be
better off saving your money and sticking with the HPT370.

But I've seen some people who say that the chipset determines the PCI
version. Is this true?

Yes, although you can also influence this by enabling or disabling settings
in the BIOS.
--


Richard Hopkins
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
(replace nospam with pipex in reply address)

The UK's leading technology reseller www.dabs.com

 

[void]

Don't believe what SiSoft Sandra tells you. It's not the most reliable
software out there.

Looks like Sandra is right... Abit just got back to me, they said it uses PCI
2.1 slots.