Intel x25 m vs segate cheeta 15k rpm in raid 5

[RALPHQC]

My server is almost 5 years old so its time for major upgrade. Should I get a new server with the sas 15k rpm drives in raid 5 or intel x25-m. The intel are slightly more expensive so the performance is the key here.

 

[Shadow703793]

Yup, go SSD. HDDs can't touch the (good) SSDs in performance.

Note: MAKE SURE you get the G2 of the X25M. NOT the G1.

X25M G2 Review: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3607


Also, if the server is 5 years old, you may be bottlenecked by CPU/RAM,etc.

 

[cjl]

The SAS drives are more time-tested, and would probably have a higher reliability (no matter what the marketing on SSDs claims). The Intel is faster though, and far from unreliable. Either way, you're likely to be happy - get SAS if you need the space, but I'd go for the Intel if you want pure speed.

 

[RALPHQC]

its a new server with dual processor x5520 , (its the same price as one x5560) I want to go for the speed since i am safe with raid 5. I just didnt see any comparisons where it'll show the performance of sas 15k vs intel x25-m.

 

[MRFS]

The storage future is definitely a bandwidth
of at least 6 Gbps on data cables.

Try a SATA/6G or SAS/6G RAID controller
with the Seagate Savvio 15K.2 SAS/6GBps HDDs:
you don't need to buy a whole "farm" of them
to do your own testing e.g. while they're new
and empty.


If I were you, I'd be ramping up in anticipation
of 6G speeds at both ends of the data cable:
6G SSDs + 6G controllers -- either add-on or
integrated on the motherboard.

Thus, it may pay dividends to wait for 6G SSDs,
which appear right around the corner.

Supermicro are now advertising 6 Gbps SAS 2.0:

http://www.supermicro.com/SAS2/

http://www.supermicro.com/products/nfo/files/SAS2/SAS2.pdf


Check out the Intel RS2BL040 and RS2BL080 controllers:

http://www.intel.com/Products/Server/RAID-controllers/RS2BL080/RS2BL080-overview.htm

Here's a new high-density enclosure from Enhance Tech:

http://www.enhance-tech.com/products/multidrive/x14.html

If you examine closely the backplane connectors,
SAS supports an "upper" row of pins to allow "dual-porting";
thus, I expect that the lower SATA connector corresponds
to the "primary" port for each 2.5" drive:

http://www.supremelaw.org/systems/sas/SAS.connector.pdf

MRFS

 

[MRFS]

Here's a Photoshop comparison that Intel did:

http://download.intel.com/design/flash/nand/extreme/Photoshop_CS4_Performance_Comparison.pdf


If you have some available PCI-Express slots with enough lanes,
check out the Fusio-io ioDrive:

http://www.fusionio.com/products.aspx

http://www.fusionio.com/PDFs/Data_Sheet_ioDrive_2.pdf

http://www.fusionio.com/PDFs/Data_Sheet_ioDrive_Duo_v4.pdf


These brilliant devices eliminate the SAS and SATA datacomm protocol
by communicating directly to the PCI-Express bus.


MRFS

 

[Shadow703793]

@MRFS: Overkill man

 

[MRFS]

I object to that comment.


MRFS

 

[wuzy]

Before SSD arrived running database on 15k RPM drives were the only option. i.e. 15k RPM drives were tuned for running database. And database + RAID5 = EPIC FAIL (Google for it, too long to explain. Hint: RAID5 write-hole and small write size)
So if the server was intended to run database then absolutely no RAID5. And fire whoever suggested RAID5 in the first place, they should have suggested RAID10 <-DBA rule #101

So assuming those 15k RPM drives are meant to run databases, a single SLC-based SSD will single handily trump up to 12x15k RPM drives in RAID0.

If it's not a database server, then it'll depend on how much storage space you need. You mentioned the new server is going to be 2P LGA1336, I'm guessing it's going to be heavily virtualised? (it's main strong point) If so, list all the VMs you plan it run on it.

 

[cjl]

wuzy - he's considering an X25-M, so I think 12 15k drives with a good controller would pretty handily trump the SSD. The SSD would still be quite a bit faster than any one though (I'm not sure where the break even point is for the intel mlc drive).

On another note, for database usage, the Seagate Savvio 15k.2 will be a decent bit faster than the Cheetah, while also using less power. It doesn't have as much space though. It makes a nice option between the SSD and Cheetah in performance and capacity/price.
http://discountechnology.com/Seagate-ST9146852SS-SAS-Hard-Drives?partner=1011&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=product

 

[wuzy]

wuzy - he's considering an X25-M, so I think 12 15k drives with a good controller would pretty handily trump the SSD. The SSD would still be quite a bit faster than any one though (I'm not sure where the break even point is for the intel mlc drive).

On another note, for database usage, the Seagate Savvio 15k.2 will be a decent bit faster than the Cheetah, while also using less power. It doesn't have as much space though. It makes a nice option between the SSD and Cheetah in performance and capacity/price.
http://discountechnology.com/Seagate-ST9146852SS-SAS-Hard-Drives?partner=1011&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=product

Look at the I/O performance for database pattern (the only real use for Intel IOMeter in real-world usage), I'm pretty sure the number is '12' drives to match the IOps of one X25-E. Probably slightly less drives needed with Savvio 15Ks. Still, the superior-ism of SLC-based SSD is just incredible in the database industry.

 

[cjl]

I agree. He's looking at the MLC drive though, which is why I said that one of them wouldn't match 12 drives. Your number does sound about right for SLC - I think in one test I saw, it was 8 or 9 of the latest gen Savvios to match it (since the savvios have a rather incredible 4.5ms or so access time).

 

[RALPHQC]

wow, i have a lot to learn so, raid 5 is out. the fusion drives are too costly. I cant wait as i placed the order for the server . Its win sbs 2008 premium. running docuware on ms sql 2008 , quickbooks enterprise, filemaker server & few smaller apps.
with my budget my options will be
a)2 intel x25-e 64 gb in raid one b)4 intel x25-m 80 gb in raid 10 c) 4 15k sas drives in raid 10 .

 

[cjl]

The pair of X25-E will give the best write performance, the quad X25-M will give the best read performance, and the 4 15k will give the most storage space.