Poor RAID0 performance with KD7 RAID on WinXP

R

Rittercorp

Hi,

I just finished setup a RAID0 system with KD7 RAID and I dont see any
"impressive performance boost" on HDD throughput.
The system is:
Abit KD7 Raid, Latest BIOS (DN), HPT372 onboard
Athlon XP 2600+ (333fsb)
256MB DDR333 Kingston HyperX
MSI GF4 mX440 DDR 8xagp
2x Maxtor 160GB DiamondMAx PLus 9 HDDs
Win XP Pro SP1

I used HDTach for base performance with one drive, and then added the
other, created the raid0 array and re-installed WinXP.

I am only gaining about 10% performance...really NOT what I expected.

Sigle Drive average throughput was near 47MB/s and raid performance
does not even reach 55MB/s.

One thing I discovered is that one HDD is the L0 model and the other
P0. This means 2MB and 8MB cache mixed....Is this that important ?? I
read that cache size does not mean too much on RAID arrays since cache
helps on latency...not on real throughput.

Thanks!!!
 
D

Doug G.

Hi,

I just finished setup a RAID0 system with KD7 RAID and I dont see any
"impressive performance boost" on HDD throughput.
The system is:
Abit KD7 Raid, Latest BIOS (DN), HPT372 onboard
Athlon XP 2600+ (333fsb)
256MB DDR333 Kingston HyperX
MSI GF4 mX440 DDR 8xagp
2x Maxtor 160GB DiamondMAx PLus 9 HDDs
Win XP Pro SP1

I used HDTach for base performance with one drive, and then added the
other, created the raid0 array and re-installed WinXP.

I am only gaining about 10% performance...really NOT what I expected.

Sigle Drive average throughput was near 47MB/s and raid performance
does not even reach 55MB/s.

One thing I discovered is that one HDD is the L0 model and the other
P0. This means 2MB and 8MB cache mixed....Is this that important ?? I
read that cache size does not mean too much on RAID arrays since cache
helps on latency...not on real throughput.

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

First you need to be running two identical drives for top performance.
Make sure you are running the same version Highpoint drivers as the
Highpoint BIOS version, and don't set up the raid array using the
default 64k block size if you want to see good benchmarks. 16k blocks
will give much better marks.

This is my two 30gig maxtor drives on the KD7 Raid running the 2.34
highpoint BIOS and drives using 16k blocks.
http://home.satx.rr.com/wosbbs/HDTach.jpg

Doug
 
R

Rittercorp

Doug G. said:
First you need to be running two identical drives for top performance.
Make sure you are running the same version Highpoint drivers as the
Highpoint BIOS version, and don't set up the raid array using the
default 64k block size if you want to see good benchmarks. 16k blocks
will give much better marks.

This is my two 30gig maxtor drives on the KD7 Raid running the 2.34
highpoint BIOS and drives using 16k blocks.
http://home.satx.rr.com/wosbbs/HDTach.jpg

Doug
Click to expand...

The drives are identical 160GB DiamonMax PLus 9...the only difference
is the cache size. Your numbers are way above my performance...and as
I understand with larger drives I should get even better results !!!.

Can the cache size be the "crime" on this???

I see that your CPU utilization is way higher too (mine is around
11%)...I guess its because of the 16K blocks...that should stress the
HPT controller and the CPU.

I am using 32k blocks now....I just rebuild everything from 64k to
32k...no performance gain though.

Thanks!
 
D

Doug G.

The drives are identical 160GB DiamonMax PLus 9...the only difference
is the cache size. Your numbers are way above my performance...and as
I understand with larger drives I should get even better results !!!.

Can the cache size be the "crime" on this???
Click to expand...

For best performance the drives need to be identical, right down to the
model number. If one of your drives has more cache then the other I
would think that could have an effect on the raid performance, although
I can't say for sure.
I see that your CPU utilization is way higher too (mine is around
11%)...I guess its because of the 16K blocks...that should stress the
HPT controller and the CPU.
Click to expand...

Yes, smaller blocks will use more CPU.
I am using 32k blocks now....I just rebuild everything from 64k to
32k...no performance gain though.
Click to expand...

Again, 16k.

Doug
 
L

Leif

Rittercorp said:
Hi,

I just finished setup a RAID0 system with KD7 RAID and I dont see any
"impressive performance boost" on HDD throughput.
The system is:
Abit KD7 Raid, Latest BIOS (DN), HPT372 onboard
Athlon XP 2600+ (333fsb)
256MB DDR333 Kingston HyperX
MSI GF4 mX440 DDR 8xagp
2x Maxtor 160GB DiamondMAx PLus 9 HDDs
Win XP Pro SP1

I used HDTach for base performance with one drive, and then added the
other, created the raid0 array and re-installed WinXP.

I am only gaining about 10% performance...really NOT what I expected.

Sigle Drive average throughput was near 47MB/s and raid performance
does not even reach 55MB/s.

One thing I discovered is that one HDD is the L0 model and the other
P0. This means 2MB and 8MB cache mixed....Is this that important ?? I
read that cache size does not mean too much on RAID arrays since cache
helps on latency...not on real throughput.

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

I also have the sama mobo and posted a question on the same matter as you!
I got some help from the guys here and one thing that actually seemed to
help a bit was to disable the "CPU disconnect function" in bios!
I run HPT 2.32 drivers with two Seagate ST340014A and I get approx. 60 Mb/S
sequential reading and about 36 Mb/s writing. I have my stripe partioned in
two halves and the second partition (non OS) is faster than c:!
I have mailed the supports on Highpoint and Abit, but have not got any good
answer yet!
 
R

Rittercorp

Leif said:
I also have the sama mobo and posted a question on the same matter as you!
I got some help from the guys here and one thing that actually seemed to
help a bit was to disable the "CPU disconnect function" in bios!
I run HPT 2.32 drivers with two Seagate ST340014A and I get approx. 60 Mb/S
sequential reading and about 36 Mb/s writing. I have my stripe partioned in
two halves and the second partition (non OS) is faster than c:!
I have mailed the supports on Highpoint and Abit, but have not got any good
answer yet!
Click to expand...

That is what I am getting too...in HDTach:
Single drive: max read : 63MB/s, max write: 45MB/s, average: 47MB/s
and 27MB/s
RAID0 (32k): max read: 72MB/s, max write: ?? (partitioned), average:
54MB/s

I will replace the 2MB cache drive for another with 8MB...to have the
good "twins" run together....I dint think have them mixed is any good.
Let you know.
 
J

John TL Lee

Hey folks,

I've been wrestling with an odd problem with the KD7 Raid board. Everytime I
install the Soundblaster Audigy drivers, the XP install gets HOSED. As in
"Can't find system file xxx" hosed.

Here are the particulars and some questions...any suggestions would be
appreciated!
Abit KD7 RAID Bios date = 4/2/2003 v1.1 (the latest)
Highpoint HPT 372 Bios = 2.32
Highpoint drivers = 2.34
Soundblaster Audigy MP3+ Used Drivers from CD and Updated XP drivers from
web...both cause system fail.
WD120Gb 7200Rpm Hdds with 8Mb cache.
Drives are set up in Raid 1 (Mirroring) configuration

I've done about 10 installs of XP and everything seems to be fine untill I
install the sound card drivers..
The onboard sound is disabled.

Questions:
1. Highpoint's site says the drivers must be the same as the bios. Why would
ABIT ship later drivers? (The drivers on the Abit CD are the 2.34 drivers,
the bios is 2.32)
2. Just how important is the driver / Bios match?
3. Why would sound card drivers hose a RAID set up?
4. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,
J.Lee
 
D

Doug G.

Hey folks,

I've been wrestling with an odd problem with the KD7 Raid board. Everytime I
install the Soundblaster Audigy drivers, the XP install gets HOSED. As in
"Can't find system file xxx" hosed.

Here are the particulars and some questions...any suggestions would be
appreciated!
Abit KD7 RAID Bios date = 4/2/2003 v1.1 (the latest)
Highpoint HPT 372 Bios = 2.32
Highpoint drivers = 2.34
Soundblaster Audigy MP3+ Used Drivers from CD and Updated XP drivers from
web...both cause system fail.
WD120Gb 7200Rpm Hdds with 8Mb cache.
Drives are set up in Raid 1 (Mirroring) configuration

I've done about 10 installs of XP and everything seems to be fine untill I
install the sound card drivers..
The onboard sound is disabled.

Questions:
1. Highpoint's site says the drivers must be the same as the bios. Why would
ABIT ship later drivers? (The drivers on the Abit CD are the 2.34 drivers,
the bios is 2.32)
2. Just how important is the driver / Bios match?
Click to expand...

You should always run the same version Highpoint drivers as the BIOS
version, although I don't think that is the cause of you problem.
3. Why would sound card drivers hose a RAID set up?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. Have you gone to Creative's web site to get the latest
driver release for your card? Have you installed the latest VIA Hyperion
4in1 drivers v4.48?
4. Has anyone else experienced this?
Click to expand...

I haven't, but then I have been avoiding Creative's products for years
now.

Doug
 
D

Doug G.

Hi Doug,

Initially I was loading the 4.46 Hyperion drivers, then I reverted to
whatever Abit had shipped on the CD. (I know it was Hyperion, but I can't
recall the version off the top of my head.)

I'm not sure the highpoint drivers are the problem either. (unfortunately)

I boycotted Creative for a couple years myself. Their support generally
sucks. However, I have to say I could discern a noticeable difference in
the quality of the sound from the Audigy. (The bonus firewire port wasn't
bad either.)

Another plan I was considering was to activate the onboard sound and install
the drivers for it just for grins. Maybe the board just wants things quiet.
:)

Thanks for the suggestions.
JL
Click to expand...

I think I would try the onboard sound and use it that way for a few days
to see what happens.

Doug
 
J

John TL Lee

Updated to the 4.48 drivers...no noticeable difference.
I'll have to get back to you on the specifics for the memory and power
supply. However, I know the power supply could handle 420 W peak. I was
using it in a loaded box with an old Athlon 750. It should handle this
board with no problems.

As for the ram...I had 512 Mb (2x256 2100 DDR) on an Epox board with no
problems for a couple of years. All the bios settins are set to the
Auto-detect level.

I'll try the memtest86. I'd love it if you could send me the modified DN
bios. I'm using the older dirver for the sake of compatibility with the
highpoint instructions...but I'd rather be at the most current rev. The BIOS
I downloaded from Abit didn't upgrade the highpoint bios. Where did you get
yours?

My wife tried to print a couple of things and it looks like the box
spontaneously rebooted after the second print job...looks like I'm not out
of the woods yet.
JL
 
D

Doug G.

Updated to the 4.48 drivers...no noticeable difference.
I'll have to get back to you on the specifics for the memory and power
supply. However, I know the power supply could handle 420 W peak. I was
using it in a loaded box with an old Athlon 750. It should handle this
board with no problems.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure about that.
As for the ram...I had 512 Mb (2x256 2100 DDR) on an Epox board with no
problems for a couple of years. All the bios settins are set to the
Auto-detect level.
Click to expand...

Your not running your FSB at 166MHz with that old PC2100 ram are you?
What brand is the ram?
I'll try the memtest86. I'd love it if you could send me the modified DN
bios. I'm using the older dirver for the sake of compatibility with the
highpoint instructions...but I'd rather be at the most current rev. The BIOS
I downloaded from Abit didn't upgrade the highpoint bios. Where did you get
yours?
Click to expand...

I modded it using CBROM. Check your e-mail.
My wife tried to print a couple of things and it looks like the box
spontaneously rebooted after the second print job...looks like I'm not out
of the woods yet.
JL
Click to expand...

I suspect you have a memory or power supply problem.

What are your CPU and system temps running at?

Doug
 
D

Doug G.

If it´s not to much trouble for you I would like to get that modified bios
too! Have you tested it, and it runs ok?
Click to expand...

I've been using it on my system since the day the DN BIOS was posted to
the Abit site. Check your e-mail.
Do you think it´s possible to upgrade bios and drivers from 2.32 to 2.34
without reinstalling XP? XP is on my raid 0 config!
Click to expand...

There is absolutely no reason at all that you should have to reinstall
WinXP. Just install the drivers in XP, then boot to DOS and flash the
BIOS.

Doug
 
J

John TL Lee

Doug,

Thanks for the BIOS!.. didn't fix the problem, but at least everything is
current. So, here's some stuff I remembered / learned this weekend.

1. Proc is bad. Finally installed HWDoctor from Abit and was able to
monitor CPU temp. Surface temp was consistenly going from 47C to about 67C
in the space of about 2 min of playing BF1942. Replaced proc with old 1Ghz
I had laying around. No spontaneous reboots! Temp climbed to 55-56 or so,
and stayed there even under load.

2. Powersupply is 300 Watt ATX by JGE. Not AMD approved, but has been
running the 750 Slot A for several years with nary a problem. (The slot A's
were notorious power hogs and sensitive to voltage drops.)
http://gpb-jge.com/file/a30.html Still don't think its a problem.

3. Windows XP does not like to be installed when RAID is active. I seem to
have the best success when I install XP with the raid driver, but without
Raid 0 actually in effect.

JL
 
L

Leif

John TL Lee said:
Doug,

Thanks for the BIOS!.. didn't fix the problem, but at least everything is
current. So, here's some stuff I remembered / learned this weekend.

1. Proc is bad. Finally installed HWDoctor from Abit and was able to
monitor CPU temp. Surface temp was consistenly going from 47C to about
Click to expand...
67C

I got the same here! I have the Barton XP2500 Box and it runs hot in no
time!
in the space of about 2 min of playing BF1942. Replaced proc with old 1Ghz
I had laying around. No spontaneous reboots! Temp climbed to 55-56 or so,
and stayed there even under load.

2. Powersupply is 300 Watt ATX by JGE. Not AMD approved, but has been
running the 750 Slot A for several years with nary a problem. (The slot A's
were notorious power hogs and sensitive to voltage drops.)
http://gpb-jge.com/file/a30.html Still don't think its a problem.

3. Windows XP does not like to be installed when RAID is active. I seem to
have the best success when I install XP with the raid driver, but without
Raid 0 actually in effect.
Click to expand...

How do you do that? You don´t install XP on the raid 0. I guess you mean?
 
J

John TL Lee

I pulled the plug on the IDE cable for the 2nd drive. Left the first drive
on IDE 3, then installed windows. On the XP2000 CPU I was using a
Thermaltake 6CU as my fan/heatsink combo. However, I transplanted the CPU
from an Epox board that had gone bad...I suspect it took the CPU with it
when it went. (Shoudl've considered that when I first started to have
problems.) DOH!!
JL
 
L

Leif

John TL Lee said:
I pulled the plug on the IDE cable for the 2nd drive. Left the first drive
on IDE 3, then installed windows. On the XP2000
Click to expand...

So you don´t have XP on a raid 0 now?

CPU I was using a
 
D

Doug G.

Doug,

Thanks for the BIOS!.. didn't fix the problem, but at least everything is
current. So, here's some stuff I remembered / learned this weekend.

1. Proc is bad. Finally installed HWDoctor from Abit and was able to
monitor CPU temp. Surface temp was consistenly going from 47C to about 67C
in the space of about 2 min of playing BF1942. Replaced proc with old 1Ghz
I had laying around. No spontaneous reboots! Temp climbed to 55-56 or so,
and stayed there even under load.

2. Powersupply is 300 Watt ATX by JGE. Not AMD approved, but has been
running the 750 Slot A for several years with nary a problem. (The slot A's
were notorious power hogs and sensitive to voltage drops.)
http://gpb-jge.com/file/a30.html Still don't think its a problem.

3. Windows XP does not like to be installed when RAID is active. I seem to
have the best success when I install XP with the raid driver, but without
Raid 0 actually in effect.

JL
Click to expand...

I think your problem is 'very likely' the power supply. The systems of
today have very different power demands then the old slot systems, and
power supply design has changed to reflect those differences.

For one thing, the new CPU's draw their power from the 12 volt rail of
the power supply, where the old slot CPU's took their power from the
3.3v and or 5.0v rail.

When I look for a power supply these days one of the things I look for
is if it can supply at a minimum 16 amps on the 12 volt rail, and 18
amps or above is better. Your supply is only rated at 12 amps on the 12
volt rail, that's not enough, and as you said, your supply is years old,
so it's probably even weaker then it was new.

Your system is under powered.

Doug
 
Top