Sata 3.0 Gb/s running only at UDMA-6 ?!

Hello everyone,

I have the Asus M2N32-SLI deluxe wireless motherboard (nForce 590),

it has the Silicon Image SiI 3132 SATALink Controller,

when I check Windows Control panel under Silicon Image Sata Controller
it does not list any device info (only Host Link Speed: 3.0 Gb/s and Device Link Speed: 1.5 Gb/s), neither anything in the Flash BIOS tab...

In device manager I's indicated that NVIDIA nForce 590 Serial ATA Controller is set to 3.0Gb/s,
speed test values:
Theretical limit: 300.0
Burst speed: 171.4
Sustained speed: 59.4

HD Tune indicates:
Standard: SATA II
Supported UDMA Mode 6
Active: UDMA Mode 6

so my hard drive isn't being used to it's full potential? or is SATA 3.0 Gb/s such a rip-off (only 170 !) ???
(I've installed latest Asus drivers)

my hard drive is a Seagate ST3500641AS, 16MB buffer, Sata 3.0Gb/s,

I have Windows Xp pro and the x64 version (both same results),

anyone any info?

many thanks in advance,

take care!

Kind regards,
Michael

I think that the OP was expecting to see a transfer at 300 MB/s. This of course is not possible.

If there were drives capable of that then we would have a faster interface so as to be sure that the interface is not the bottleneck.

SATA300 (3.0 Gb/sec, or 300 MB/sec), is the speed rating of the interface. In other words, the cable and the SATA controller can do UP TO 300 MB/sec. Actual speed depends on the device that is attached. Your hard drive is capable of 170 MB/sec burst, and 60 MB/sec sustained transfer rate. That is the speed you will get.

It's just like a fire hose. A 2.5 inch fire hose can supply about 500 gallons per minute. But if you hook it up to a pump that can only pump 200 gallons per minute, then that's all you get.