Raid controller

Larry, don't laugh at me but I know nothing about raid controllers so my question may sound stupid!
Well here goes: if I install a Raid controller like the Promise Fasttrak 100 on an ATA33 motherboard like the FIC VA-503+ will I be able to run an ATA100 drive at ATA100?
Thanks for all your help
Lawrence

1. RE: Raid controller
lbyard Apr-05-01 03:28 PM
In response to message 0

I don't think the average ATA/100 drive can run faster than ATA/66. Although I have not taken the time to run benchmarks, I see very little difference in an ATA/100 running on an ATA/66 interface as compared to running on the HPT370 ATA/100 RAID controller (http://duxcw.com/digest/guides/mb_chip/htp370/index.html) on an Abit KT7-RAID motherboard. I would guess, however, that you would see some improvement over ATA/33. Larry

2. RE: Raid controller
qajfat Apr-05-01 05:32 PM
In response to message 1

Thanks Larry for your help. OK so I'll get 66ATA, but will I still get it if I install a PCI Raid Controller card on my 33ATA FIC VA-503+?
Thank you once again
Lawrence

3. RE: Raid controller
lbyard Apr-05-01 06:15 PM
In response to message 2

As I have no experience with your motherboard or that controller, so I don't really know. In general, I have found that plug-in controller boards are not as fast as those built into the motherboard, but this may not be the case with this particular Promise board. I would replace the motherboard before buying the controller. But the problem with that is that I would also replace the CPU, case, and power supply. I don’t think I would spend any more money on that Socket 7 computer. I would, however, buy a 7,200 RPM drive with the idea of upgrading the rest later. You will see a difference in speed even with ATA/33—7,200 RPM is a bigger deal than ATA/66 or ATA/100. That is what I did, except my Socket 7 motherboard supports ATA/66 (my new drive does ATA/100; it will run on ATA/66 and ATA/33 interfaces). Larry

4. RE: Raid controller
qajfat Apr-05-01 07:01 PM
In response to message 3

Thanks Larry
Now I have things more clear in my head.
You've been very helpful
Lawrence