Test Setup And Access Time
We used a 32 GB flash drive to test the storage accessories because we wanted to determine possible bottlenecks, and because the rather low capacity is great for finishing storage benchmarks quickly.
| System Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Processor(s) | 2 x Intel Xeon Processor (Nocona core) 3.6 GHz, FSB800, 1 MB L2 Cache |
| Platform | Asus NCL-DS (Socket 604) Intel E7520 Chipset, BIOS 1005 |
| RAM | Corsair CM72DD512AR-400 (DDR2-400 ECC, reg.) 2 x 512 MB, CL3-3-3-10 Timings |
| System Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar WD1200JB |
| Test Hard Drive I | Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3500641 500 GB, 7,200 RPM, 16 MB Cache, SATA/300 |
| Test Hard Drive II | Samsung 64 GB SATA-II Flash SSD, SATA/300 |
| Test Hard Drive III | Mtron Pro 7500 32 GB SLC Flash SSD, SATA/300 |
| Mass Storage Controller(s) | Intel 82801EB UltraATA/100 Controller (ICH5) Promise SATA 300TX4 |
| Networking | Broadcom BCM5721 On-Board Gigabit Ethernet NIC |
| Graphics Card | On-Board Graphics ATI RageXL, 8 MB |
| System Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Performance Measurements | c't h2benchw 3.6 PCMark05 V1.01 |
| I/O Performance | IOMeter 2003.05.10 File server-Benchmark, Web server-Benchmark, Database-Benchmark, Workstation-Benchmark |
| System Software&Drivers | |
|---|---|
| OS | Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Service Pack 1 |
| Platform Driver | Intel Chipset Installation Utility 7.0.0.1025 |
| Graphics Driver | Default Windows Graphics Driver |
Fujitsu MBA3174RC
Samsung 64 GB SATA-II Flash SSD
Mtron Pro 7500
Results: Access Time
We first listed the individual hard drives and their performance levels, followed by the storage accessories we tried. Samsung’s 32 GB SLC flash SSD was used to test the Crucial SK01 kit, while we used an Mtron Pro 7500 3.5” SSD with the iStarUSA and Unitek devices.
Access time is several times longer via USB 2.0 when compared to eSATA, both for Crucial’s and iStarUSA’s devices. Still, we’re looking at excellent performance that cannot be considered an issue. eSATA is clearly faster, but USB 2.0 doesn’t slow down access time by too much.
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We really need USB 3.0 for external hard drives.
will Crysis run off these? ^_^
we'll get there soon.
Its too bad the Unitek Docking Station wasn't on a faster interface, but its still a great piece of hardware, I might actually invest in it.
Do all of these allow you to plug in and later remove a SATA drive while the computer is powered up? Do you do the same "Safely Remove Hardware" step with a SATA drive that you do with an external USB drive?
"However, the build quality was so poor that we had to open the device and relocate the SATA connectors....."
is it because Made In China?
Imagine a usb 4.0 that will eventually replace SATA ^.^
All together now,
On the 1ST day of Christmas my true love gave to me,a harddrive"
On the Second day " "
Think you get the idea
"All together now,
On the 1ST day of Christmas my true love gave to me,a harddrive"
On the Second day " "
Think you get the idea"
That was soo terrible I think it gave me cancer
I can recommend the Sharkoon Quickport PRO (which looks remarkably similar like the HDD Docking Station by iStarUSA). I thought my 3 yr old SATA Maxtor harddrive had died: I couldn't hear it spin, a Windows installation bootcd wouldn't detect the drive... and hooked up inside a different computer in Windows it was unable to read/copy any data. However the Sharkoon docking station (with eSATA) had no problems reading it whatsoever and I could save all the data. :-
the gigabyte ex58 ud4p came with this cool io bracket, it let you convert 1 or 2 internal sata ports into e-sata ports, and more importantly, convert one internal molex power plug into 2 external sata power plugs, came with all the cables you need, and you could use it in any computer.
"However, the build quality was so poor that we had to open the device and relocate the SATA connectors....."is it because Made In China?
China assembels everything from iPhone to even Sony LCD panels. Production location has nothing to do with it. Price points do. You pay for crap or buy dodgy unbranded items thorugh US-importers who markup unscrupulously, then guess what - you end up with crap. Look at all of your electronic items - including the branded "quality" items. Most are made in China.
A friend of mine has bought the "iStarUSA HDD Docking Station (xAGE-N99-SAU Drive Dock)" and he lend it to me to use it for a while.
I did not notice the eSATA plug problem and it was very fast as the benchmarks showed. The whole black appearance is very sleek and it does what it says for a very small price.
When comparing to Unitek model, I would go for the iStar for 4 reasons:
1) It is cheaper
2) Most people already have card readers or USB hubs or simply at least 6 USB ports.
3) Subjective comment: Who cares about one touch backup and additional software, I personally don't
4) Subjective comment: I wouldn't put this ugly thing on my desk
I've had my iStar xAGE-N99-US/SAU Toaster for years without problem, didn't remember the make or m/n so I did a search and found this page. Forgot it was an iStar and that it had an eSATA connection. Looking for another toaster with the same features.