Test Setup
| System Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Processor(s) | 2x 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.)2x 512 MB, CL3-3-3-10 Timings |
| System Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar WD1200JB120 GB, 7,200 RPM, 8 MB Cache, UltraATA/100 |
| Mass Storage Controller(s) | Intel 82801EB UltraATA/100 Controller (ICH5) |
| Networking | Broadcom BCM5721 On-Board Gigabit Ethernet NIC |
| Graphics Card | On-Board GraphicsATI RageXL, 8 MB |
| Benchmarks | |
| Performance Measurements | c’t h2benchw 3.6 |
| PCMark05 | V1.01 |
| 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 |
Conclusion
Brando’s USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE adapter can be a very valuable asset if you need to access data on a SATA or UltraATA drive as quickly as possible. Not everybody has a spare system or the time to shut down the computer, open it, and hook up another drive. Not to mention notebooks : you would have to buy a PC-Card-based SATA or UltraATA controller for if you wanted to attach a regular hard drive. Brando’s solution is purely based on USB 2.0 and works just like any other external storage device, which makes it easy to handle.
Though the adapter unit also offers a high-density ATA connector, designed for 2.5" and even some 1.8" hard drive models, we were not successful in making it work. You may, however, purchase a regular ATA to high density ATA adapter if you need to plug in such a unit. All of the 3.5" hard drives we tried worked properly, whether using SATA/150, SATA/300, UltraATA/133 or UltraATA/100.
Finally, the product is particularly interesting because of its reasonable street price of $20-40, depending on where you get one, and whether it is made by Brando itself or other companies. At this price, we can image enthusiasts and administrators buying one of these simply as a "just in case" item to keep around, ready if needed.
